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Bridge Baron

Bridge Baron is a computer program that allows the user to play both random hands and prepared hands against the computer and other users. It is available here (we often buy Bridge Baron in bulk and are able to sell it to students at a reduced rate).

Our education program (and some of our free lectures) include bidding and playing exercises. These exercises are also available for download in a format which Bridge Baron recognizes allowing students to play them against the computer away from class. Please note that older versions of Bridge Baron (versions 17 and older) may not be able to play the exercises we provide.

The following instructions for Mac OS X and Microsoft Vista explain how to download the exercises and play them on Bridge Baron. It is possible that these instructions will not be exactly what you see on your computer but should be close enough to enable you to 'get the job done'. If you have suggestions for improving our instructions please contact our webmaster.

Download Exercise Files

Macintosh PC
Preparation:

Your browser will download files into a folder specified in your browser preferences. This will probably be in the Downloads folder on your computer. If you do not know where your browser stores downloaded files download any file, above, and then type the name of the downloaded file (e.g., PlanningLesson01) into the search area of your Finder window. The location where your browser stores downloaded files will be shown at the bottom of the window. Remember this location.

If you would like to save your lesson files somewhere other than where they're downloaded, create a folder to save them (e.g., create a folder named Bridge Baron PPL in your Documents folder.)

Bonus: If your Mac supports Smart Folders you can do the following:

  • Create a New Smart Folder
  • Click on the + button
  • Select Name, ends with, and enter .ppl
  • Save the file in a convenient location

Your Smart Folder will automatically contain all the .ppl files on your computer no matter where they were downloaded.

Download Procedure:

  • Select one of the links, above. This will open a window asking you what to do with the file.
  • Select Save File. Select OK.
  • Open the folder where your downloads are saved. You will see the downloaded file (e.g. PlanningLesson01.zip) and a second file with the same name but with .ppl at the end (e.g., PlanningLesson01.ppl). This second file is the one Bridge Baron can use.
    Note: If you downloaded All Lessons, you will see a folder named PlanningLessonsAll instead of a second file. The lesson files will be in this folder.
  • If you have created a special folder to store your lesson files, move the file or files ending with .ppl (e.g., PlanningLesson1.ppl) to your special folder.
    Note: If you have created a Smart Folder for your files you do not need to move the files - the Smart Folder will automatically contain all your .ppl files.
Preparation:

Create a folder where you want to keep the lesson files. This may be on your desktop, in your Documents folder or anywhere else that you chose.

Download Procedure:

  • Select one of the links, above. This will open a window asking you what to do with the file.
  • Select Open With. Your computer will provide the name of the program necessary to open the file (probably Windows Explorer). Select OK.
  • A new window will appear which contains the file (or a folder named classLessonsAll if you've selected All Lessons) which Bridge Baron can use (e.g., PlanningLesson01.ppl).
  • Move the file(or files) into the folder you created to store the lesson files.
    Note: Ignore the files whose names start with "Mac". Those are in Macintosh format.

Play Exercises in Bridge Baron

  • Start Bridge Baron
  • Select Tools
  • Select Deal Library
  • Select Open - Retrieve Deal from library file
  • Navigate to the location where your files are stored and select the lesson file you want to use. Then select Open
  • Use the Bridge Baron controls to select the deal,play it and *go to the next deal.

*Unfortunately, Bridge Baron is not a particularly Mac-friendly program. One of the problems with the Macintosh version is that you will have to go back to the main screen and navigate to the lesson file each time you want to play a new deal in the lesson.
This page last updated on Sunday, July 11, 2010