How to

Rev: August 20, 2006 Version 1.7.n

1) How to use this “How to” :

It is better to leave this instance open without any launched application or
connection.
Just open new instances on which it is possible to make each step describe in the
present text.

2) Modifying this “How to” :

This text can be modified for personal reasons in order to make it clearer, to add
comments, or tips.
It is in the “how to.doc” and can be opened with any text editor.
Rules to follow to get on-line help:
Chapters titles are identified by the starting sequence: number – closing
parenthesis –space and ends by a colon “:”
This will provide an entry in the summary.
The first chapter must start by 1 and the others numbers must follow without
interruption.
Note : do not use automatic numeration : they would not be present in the text.

3) Studying a deal :
No need for a local network. Only one computer is required.
Open Bridge Moniteur : this is already the « Study mode »
Read a deal: Menu (Play/Read) or get a random deal (Play/deal)
If the read deal has already been played and the game recorded, then a viewer is
offered in a menu at the right hand of the mat.
Under given circonstances, it is possible to get the display of frequencies and
results if tournaments organizers broadcast them.
In the same way, if the feasability suit/hands has already been calculated for that
deal by Bridge Moniteur, and array will display it together with the PAR of this
deal.
If Alerts exist in the auction and documented as required by the standard, they will
also appear. All these information may overlap: one can move around the graded
background leaflets.
This same menu offers the opportunity of playing again this deal.
If it is wished to play the deal has never been played (i.e. play not recorded!), then
it is necessary to launch the auction(menu: Play/Auction) because from that point
many setups are possible, such as switch the application as a bridge table
manager or as a Human interface to connect to a bridge table manager.
When the deal has been looked up, it is possible to play it again, to get the next
one by using the context menu.
In the study mode, as it is a open situation not related to any standard, it is
possible to play again the game from card playing. In the other setups, where
communications have to follow a standard, this feature is not offered, as it is not
included in the standard.
 When a deal has a decided contract, Deep Finesse file is generated, which
enables to study it with Deep Finesse. Under given arrangements, this deal will
appear directly when Deep Finesse is open.

Thoroughly Played deals are automatically saved in a log file “Bridge Moniteur
lodg.pbn, lying in the installation directory. This file can be open with a standard
text editor.
One must clear this file on a regular basis.

4) Launching a « bridge table manager » :

Pick Setup/table manager (Configurer/Moniteur).
A windows opens and request the number of distants players who are going to
connect.
One to four players can connect. If the number of distant players is lower than 4,
then the vacant seats have to be played from the bridge table manager setup.
One must also provide a port number which is to be communicated to the distant
players in order to get the right connection.
It is recommanded to use number ranking between 2000 and 5000. If the port
number is already in use, an error occurs and a message is issued “connecting
has failed”
This port number will be saved in the preferences and will be used as the default
number for a future session. All the used numbers are saved in a list which can
be accessed back with the up arrow. The “remove” button allows to remove the
displayed number from that list.
Then clicking on the “Wait ” button will launch the server. If “Cancel “ is chosen,
this resets the application to idle.
Connecting players need to know the port number, and if they are on a different
computer, the name or the IP of the bridge table manager host computer. This
name is available in the main Title bar of the bridge table manager once it has
been launched.
If needed see “Connecting to a network”
From the bridge table manager it is possible to select the deal to be played or to
get a random deal. The game will start as soon as all the expected distant players
are successfully connected.
At the end of a game, by using standard menu, it is possible to play another deal,
to play again the deal, to save it in a given directory if its seems interesting. It is
not possible to start again back at the card playing (not included in the standard,
the other distant players may not understand any such request).
All played deals are automatically saved under pbn standard in a file named
Bridge Moniteur log.pbn.

5) Opening a « play » interface :

A bridge table manager has to be launched first. It is the server to which one will
connect.
Open a new instance of Bridge Moniteur.
Pick Setup/Playing Interface.
A windows will request the place which will be taken around the table. If any place is
chosen, then the first vacant place will be attributed, starting from South and
following clockwise.
The player will be identified by a name. This name is going to be saved and will be
presented as a default in a future session. All used names are saved in a list and can
be found again by using the up arrow. One name can be removed from that list, if
when displayed the “remove” (~Ôter) button is pushed.
The name (or IP) of the bridge table manager Host computer must be provided. It will
be also saved in a list.
One can open this new instance on the same computer than the bridge table
manager host. In that case, “LocalHost” is recognized.
The right Port number must be provided.
When pushing the button “Connect” an attempt to connect to the server is made.If it
succeeds, then a colored bar is displayed on the mat along with the name of the
player.
If the connection failed, an error message “Connexion failed” is issued and the
program stops. One must close it and launch it again when the origin of failure has
been discovered.
Clicking on cancel resets the application to idle.
When all expected distant players are connected, all colored bars will light up with
their names. Vacant seats.will only bear the place name.
If a deal is already present, it will be launched immediately.

Fom that interface, it is possible to provide a deal, random or read in a file.

All played deals are memorized by the bridge table manager in the Bridge Moniteur
log.pbn File. One must clear that file on a regular basis.
At the end of a game, a contextual menu shows up, and provide a set of optons. One
can go to the following game, review the just played game, replay that game from
begining of auction, or stop or quit. This last choice will end the session and
consquently closes the table manager
The interface program does not create any file.
Picking the menu “Setup/quit “ will close all opened instances of Bridge Moniteur.

6) Getting one or more trainees :

Open The bridge table manager, specify the number of trainees which is expected to
connect and launch the server..
Open one instance per trainee. It would be preferable to get as many more computer
than there are trainees. Those computers have to be in a network (home or Internet)
together with the bridge table manager Host.
One must play the vacant seats from the bridge table manager Host.
Deals can be launched from any post. Be aware that the meaning of the “next”
button is attached to the interface and may have different result from one interface to
another.
There is a specific case where only one Trainee is connected. There are two
differences to note:
1. if the trainee gets to be the dummy, then it plays the two hands in order to
keep him interested by the game.
2. if some recorded deal name ends by “e” or “w” (disregarding case) then the
seat of the trainee is modified to get a defense position. This is intended to
train people to some interesting defense cases.
 7) Bid Training :
Open The bridge table manager with on or two expected distant players and launch
the server..
Open one or two instances of distant players.
A message should appear on the right of the table mat: Bid Training enabled
Pick menu Play/Auction . This will lead to open a windows to select a deal. This deal
must have been played (and recorded !) in order to get a bidding sequence to be
reproduced by the trainees. Call of missing players are to be provided by the bridge
table manager.
All is all about is a Play back!
If the call is what is exected, then a message “Bidding right ” (~Enchère correcte) is
displayed for a while and the Bid is posted on the mat.
If the call is not the one expected (but it might look still correct!) then a message is
issued and the call is substituted by the one which was expected in order to keep the
known bidding sequence!

If the selected deal does not have a recorded auction, then a message is issued:
One must pick another deal.

During this training session no record is made.

Wbridge5 incorporates a feature which allow to generate a series of deals with a
given bidding sequence.

8) Playing bridge :
Of course it is possible to play bridge between human players or computers, or any
combination of them, either on a local network or on Internet.
It might be usful to remind that Bridge Moniteur doesn’t know to play bridge: it applies
only the rules between players.
Open the bridge table manager with four expected distant players and launch the
server.
Open as many Bridge Moniteur as human interface and connect them to the server.
If some bridge program are going to be used then follow the recommended
procedure attached to that program. This bridge program must comply with the Blue
Chip Bridge Table Manager protocol used by the Bridge Moniteur.

For instance to play only against programs:

Open one interface for the human player
Launch 3 program instances and connect them to the server. Those program are
by nature independent and will ignore whom they are playing with. They may
require to adjust their conventions for bidding and signals.
All this programs may be open on a single computer, providing that there is
enough memory ressources on that computer.

From the human interface it is possible to select and launch a deal.

The deal selected from any interface Bridge Moniteur are to be send over the net if
necessary to the server which will in turn have it played by all the connected players.
Any played deal is saved by the bridge table manager in the Bridge Moniteur log.pbn.
At the end of a played deal, on each human interface a contextual menu is presented
to review the game, to play it again, or to go to the next.

9) Settlng a tournament :
Launch Bridge Moniteur Menu : Setup/tournament.
In this setup, four « distants » players are required, but they may be bridge
programs.
If the option “immediate second round” has been selected in the prefrences
menu, a window will open to determine between having randomly generated
deals (only possible with this option) or read from file(s).Thissecond choice opens
a window for selecting a file. If needed, see “Choosing a file”.
According to the nature of this file, this choice will lead to a tournament setting or
a match setting.
If the file contains only one deal, TM will ask if one wishes to play only that deal or
all the pbn files of the folder.
In this mode all Pbn files will be treated Any following file which contains more
than one deal will see only the first one to be played.
Results of a tournament are going to be reported in special files. Name of these
files will depend on the sourcing of the deals:
- case 1: randomly generated deals. Names are going to be “random “ followed
by the name of the players.
- Case 2: deals in one file. Names are going to be the name of that file followed
by the names of the players.
- Case 3: deals of the folder: The name of the folder followed by the names of
the players.
Match sheet are also generated in a text file. Their names are the same as above
just having the words “match sheet” in front.
Both of those files are going to be in the Bridge moniteur installation folder.
The program will stop when all the deals of the File/folder have been played. In a
random mode is picked up, then it will be ended only by the operator.
If a tournament is interrupted, and if it is wished to go on, just launch again the
procedure with the same players names. The existing uncompleted files will be
discovered and a question will be addressed to know if the tournament has to be
taken where it was left or if it has to start from the beginning.
If a already completed tournament is played again with the same players, with the
same deal, this is going to generate a file bearing the same name. A procedure
enquires if the previous file is to be saved or overwritten.
Return game is deduced from players having exchanged their seats whereas a
“one way” file bears already the name. Question is raised to know if this is really
the return game or if it wished to start an entirely new match.
In a tournament mode, time taken by each team is measured and displayed. In
return match, the overall IMP difference is also computed and displayed.
No deal is recorded in the Bridge Moniteur log.pbn.

Once the file has been selected, a server launch window opens. Manage the port
number as above.
A glimpse can be made on the match sheet during the play by an entry in the ?
menu.
Optional manual validation of various steps (i.e. auction, play of cards) can be
set/reset at any time during the tournament.
A flip-flop key control (CTRL-W) can insert a manual pause after each trick
Alphanumeric display is available in the preferences menu. It can be set “on the
fly” but will be effective only at next game.
A flip flop button with the label “Pause” allow to freeze all comunications from the
TM.
When a player (program) cannot ply a deal (either it stalls or produce an illegal
move) the tournament can be interrupted and launched again. This will allow to
skip that deal with a possible penalty for the fautive program.

10) Computing PAR :

This feature is only available during a tournament. If the companion program
“compan.exe” is present in the same folder than the BM, the TM will call him to
get the PAR of the deal. The companion program will call the DDS.dll which is a
double dummy solver and which must be in the same folcer. This solver has been
written by Bo Haglund.
This solver is quite fast and allow to compute the PAR of the deal in less than 10
seconds most of the time. However, it happens that some deals reveal to be quite
hard to solve and will request much more time. Less than 2% of the deals require
a time longer than a minute on recent computer.
This program has a default setup with high priority in order the computation
finishes before the end of the play. A default limitation duration is also set to 90s.
This parameters can be changed in the compan.ini file.

11) Alphanumeric display:

An alphanumeric display is available in the preferences menu. It can be set “on
the fly” but will be effective only at next game.
The alphanumeric display does not change with the screen resolution. A
1024x768 is recommended. If needed, player’s position can be modified by a
“pick and place”.
Optional layouts are possible: displaying “10” istead of “T”, and the played card
may be managed in three different ways: just remove it, leave a shadow print, or
remove and stack back the remaining cards.
One can play from the alphanumeric layout. The legal card will react when flying
over them.
Each hand can be individually displaced with the mouse for a better place.

12) Remote Display:

(Version 1.4.n and above) Choosing the Remote display in the set-up menu will
launch a monitor connected to a given Bridge Moniteur acting as a Table
Manager. One must provide the Name (or IP) and port number of this Table
manager.
Connecting and disconnecting may occur at any time without effect on the Table
Manager and/or the game.
All provided languages and both alphanumeric and graphical displays are
available in this mode.
 13) Immediate secound round replay:
This option can be selected in the menu ?/preferences.
Note: This otion cannot be changed once the match has been launched, because of
technical reason. It has to be selected at the beginning of the match, as it will not
appear latter on.
If this option has been forgotten at the beginning of the match, then it is possible to
set it later by canceling the choice of the opening file window.
Note that the random deal generation can be made only with this option setup. In
fact, as the number of deals is undefined in this mode, it is quite difficult to define a
second round session.

14) Direct launch in tournament mode:

For those using frequently or better uniquely the bridge table manager in this setting
it is possible to start it directly in this mode. This is done in setting the preferences.
Then it is just required to pick the desired file and then check if the settings are ok,
and connect the players. If the alert mode is changed one must validate the change
with the button that shows up. To change port number, just double click on setup
menu.
Ons this mode has been set up, it is possible to get back to a standard launch by not
choosing any file with “cancel”.

15) Alert management by the bridge table manager:

Optional setting make the TM transmitting or not the alerted bids.
As all the programs do not respect the alert convention, or as it may differ from one
program to another, it may be useful to ask to the bridge table manager to pause
when it receives an alerted bid, or for any alertable bid.
This is to prevent any other program to react as soon it receives the bid without any
time to get required information.
If this feature is enabled, then a windows open and a free entry can be made. This is
transmitted to the opponents players which would be able to interpret it. This
information is memorized for a latter recall and easy editing.
A file (List Playername) is generated to keep track of the used alert messages.
Temporarily with this version, a second window will open displaying the known suit
length and points.

16) Returning to an interrupted match:

If a match has been interrupted for any reason, it can be easily returned.
Simply launch it again with the same deals and the players sitting at the same place.
After a file check, TM ask if it wished to return to the match or to lanch it from
beginning.
Special for bridge program: If it occurs that a bridge program is unable to play a given
deal (illegal bid or card, or stalling) it is possible to skip that deal with a optional
penalty against the faulty program.

17) Gauging bridge program efficiency :

It is possible to try to estimate the efficiency of bridge playing programs by having
them playing against each others either in a tournament or in a match.
Just launch a bridge table manager with four distant players and connect two
instances of each program at the desired places.
Keep it mind that a large number of deals has to be run in order to get a reasonnable
evaluation.

18) Connecting to a local network :

Computers on a local network are identified by a name (or/and a IP)
To connect to the bridge table manager Host Computer, one needs to know its
name or IP.
The name is automatically displayed in the main title bar of the bridge table
manager once it has been launched.
Other ways to get the name of this computer depends on the operating system. It
is quite difficult to list all cases.
Try first to get it at the setup panel, were some network information can be found.
Windows explorer may also be of some help to explore the network and find all
the computers which are connected to a group.
It is also possible to get it in program/accessories/system system information
where “system name” is the name of the computer.
One way to get the IP is also to use the DOS command ipconfig

19) Connecting thru Internet :

In this case, one would need another communicating mean, usually telephon, net
meeting, …
One must agree about who is doing what, where the bridge table manager is going to
be launch, when it is done, and so on…
Once the bridge table manager has been launched, one must provide to the distant
player the IP address of the computer and the port number used by the bridge table
manager “service”.
It is possible to request it at any time using the ? menu. This IP is then displayed at
the right hand of the mat.
Netmeeting provides it easily, and new operating system, as XP, as well.
If not, one may use the DOS command ipconfig.
On top of the IP address of the Host computer, one must also provide the port
number which has been opened for the bridge table manager.
Keep in mind that firewalls may prevent another distant computer to get access to the
port of the Host computer. The firewall must be setup in order to allow this specific
access, or be temporarily inhibited.

20) Choosing a file :

Under Windows, the file opening window is the standard opening window. It enables
to navigate in the directory of the computer, but not on the other connected
computers, except for files declared as network accessible.
Warning! One must select a file before closing the window: it is then enlighted and its
name appears in the bottom field entry box.
If no file has been selected then a warning message is issued to confirm what is to
be done.
The selected file name is memorised, and will be represented if another file opening
is made during the sams session.
The directory is also saved in the preference and will be opened first in future
sessions.
 21) Use of button « Next » :
At the end of a game, a context menu is displayed.
A button labelled “Next” (~Suivante) is there. Depressing it leads to different result
depending of the context.
If the game was a random deal, then a new random deal is issued.
If the deal was coming from a file:
 If this file did contain a single deal, then the next PBN file is going to be read
 If this file has many deals, then this is the following deal of this file which will
be presented.
One knows the nature of this file the first time we access to it.In it contains many
deals, a window opens to ask the rank of the deal we want to play or look.
Watch out! The rank of that deal may not be the same as its internal board number
which is what is going to be displayed in the upper right of the screen.

This feature allows to get back to a folder or a file that has been interrupted. Just
note the last file/rank before leaving and the games can restart from the following
one.

22) Use of the viewer :

When using the viewer, a control board with up to 3 buttons will show up.
The first button make to step one trick after another.
The second button will launch a continuous display process, each trick being
dispalyed during two seconds. When launch, the button is replaced by a pause
button.
The last button will show up only after the first trick has been displayed, and
makes the game to go back at its beginning.

23) Changing language:

It is possible to switch the language of Bridge Moniteur during it is running.
The choice of language is to be made in a list of available language.
The selected language is going to be kept for next launch.
To create a new language: just open “Language strings english.r” located in the
installation folder with a standard text editor. Save it (text only) under the name
“Language strings NewLanguage.r”
Translate the about 140 values allocated to variables included in that file.
Pay attention to the length of the word: if too long they may be truncated!
Respect REBOL scripting conventions:
Allocating a value to a variable is made by a colon “:” followed by a space.
Spaces are delimiters.
Brackets are meaningful and define a list of words. They must be respected.
Strings must start with “ or { and respectively ends by “ or }.
If you have accomplish this, don’t hesitate to send the result so it can be joined to
the download!
If the French language is selected then the deck of cards is going to be the french
deck. Otherwise it would be the english set.
 24) Displaying tournament broadcasted results:
Some tournament organizers broadcast on internet the result and quotation of the
tournament.
With a ad-hoc format of these informations it is possible to get them on the screen.
On Wbridge5 site, one tool (FFBCollect) is avalaible to get some Fédération
Française de Bridge daily tournaments. So it is possible to download those deals,
playing them at home and compare the results with average 1000 tables which have
played those tournaments. See Wbridge5 emulator downwards if needed.

25) Deep Finesse file:

As soon as a contract has been decided, TM is générating a file which can be read
by Deep Finesse for extra analysis. (DFFile.txt)

26) Wbridge5 Emulator:

It is possible to play with/again Wbridge5 from Bridge Moniteur. Just open an
instance as TM, launch the server, then connect a playing interface(or many as
present players). By depressing F9 this will automatically connect three Wbridge5 at
the vacants seats. TM then hides himself. But be aware that this option does not offer
all Wbridge5 features. Tuning Wbridge5 can be made as usual and optionnally
saved.
This option is working with more than one player, and then it is possible to play with
two or three players and complete the table with Wbridge5.

27) Shortcut keys:

- F1 help
- F2 starts again the game
- F3 goes to the next one
- F4 goes back to the previous
- F5 starts the auction in study mode
- F9 connects Wbridge5 - on TM - at the next vacant seat clockwise, on playing
interface – fills up the unattended expected seats. If all seats are filled, then
the TM hides himself.
- CTRL-P (flip-flop)displays the communications betwween TM and distants
players
- CTRL-L displays the past communications
- CTRL-W inserts a pause after each trick.
- CTRL-H halts the excution and gets to the console/debug mode
- CTRL-Q quits
- CTRL-A activate anamonitor.r if present for debug purpose