Welcome Table of Contents 1 1.0 Introduction 2 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Operating Reference Installing the Batteries Display Keys Starting Up 2 2 3 4 8 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 The Professor as Tutor Dealing Bidding Playing the Hand Hints 8 8 8 9 10 1 ENGLISH ENGLISH CONTENTS 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.
1.0 INTRODUCTION • Choice of hands at random for the element of surprise. The Pro Bridge Professor has been developed with the specific purpose of helping you to improve your bridge game. The computer program has been written in a way that allows you to concentrate on your bidding, or on playing out the contract, or you can play complete hands and cover both.
I n s e r t i n e r i e B a ENGLISH g t t s (Note: Under normal conditions of switching the computer Off and then On, the computer will activate with the game situation as it was at the moment of switching Off. However, replacing the batteries will cause this information to be lost from memory.) 2.2 Display The elements of the display of the Pro Bridge Professor are explained below. Refer to Figure 2-2. Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) – Displays all the necessary information.
♠AK J ♥A Q J ♦ J ♣ trumps. For no trumps, no symbol would be underlined. Your Hand – The bottom four horizontal rows of information always show the contents of your hand, which may be declarer or some other hand, depending on which one you selected to bid. In Figure 2-2 you are South, and SOUTH would be flashing to indicate that it is your turn to play. The line under the spade indicates that spades are trumps. For no trumps, no symbol would be underlined.
2.3 Keys To confirm the selected bidding position. The keys are illustrated in Figure 2-3 To use an offered hint. 1 To initiate playing out a round. (The display gives you a cue with the words PRESS ENTER.) Value Keys and Suit Keys – 2 to 10 and A, K, Q, and J are used in conjunction with a Suit Key (♥, ♠, ♦, ♣) to play a card. Bidding is done in virtually the same way. However, note that A is used for playing the ace, but 1 is used for a bid of one. The suit key, NO TRUMPS, is used only for bidding.
indicate that you do not wish to bid. When a bid of “Pass” is made, - will show under the position making the bid. Contrast 16 Control 14 History LCD 16 Display 5 ESCAPE – Press to end viewing score, viewing other hands, viewing information, or viewing a hint. When pressed at any other time, Escape will return the program and display to the starting conditions of waiting for a deal to be selected. 6 GO/STOP – Press the Go/Stop key to switch the computer On or Off.
9 12 VIEW INFO – Press this button while playing the hands, to check how many tricks have been won so far, the current contract, the current bidding system, and the current deal number. Press SCROLL to see each frame of information. If used before the contract is agreed, only the deal number and the current bidding system are displayed. Press ESCAPE to leave this mode. HINT – If you don’t know what move to make next, pressing the Hint button during bidding or playing will give you the correct answer.
press HISTORY to see the previous bidding or playing. The Scroll key is used to progress through each successive round. computer is just a matter of pressing GO/STOP. Except when the batteries have just been inserted, the computer will reproduce the bridge hand in the same situation that existed when it was switched Off. If you were part way through a hand, when you selected Stop, then when you switch On again, the computer will be ready for you to continue that hand.
The bidding proceeds as in a normal game, with the computer making the bids for the other three hands. The advanced bidding techniques described in the book which accompanies the computer can be used, and so, for example, you will be expected to ask for aces or recognize that you are being asked for aces, when the appropriate situation arises. 3.2 Bidding As soon as Enter has been pressed, the computer will display your hand and bids for any positions which precede you in the bidding round.
computer will play the first card and then display Dummy’s hand, and if you are the player who will be dummy, the computer will also show your partner’s hand (declarer's hand) in the top part of the display, so that you can play both hands. If your team is defending, the computer will play the card for the position before Dummy, or flash your position if that is you, asking you to play the first card. Dummy’s hand will then be revealed. Play progresses round the table in the normal way.
ENGLISH 3.4 Hints If a bidding or playing situation has you baffled or unsure, you can always summon help from the Professor. Just press HINT and the screen will tell you the recommended solution. To use the proffered card, press ENTER and it will be played for you. VULNER EW WEST 4.0 ADDITIONAL FEATURES NORTH EAST SOUTH Figure 4-1 4.1 Changing the Position 4.
you forget what contract you are in, or how many tricks you have made so far, press VIEW INFO. RECALL TRICKS will show in the center of the section of the screen so that you do not confuse it with the current situation. It will also show the number of tricks which have won so far, and which side has won them. If you press SCROLL, it will then change and show RECALL CONTRACT in the middle, and what contract you are in.
ENGLISH If you receive a deal which does not suit your study purposes, or perhaps you want to practice just bidding, you can abort the action by just pressing ESCAPE. Indeed, you can do this at any time while you are in the main activities of bidding and playing. Pressing ESCAPE will take you back to the beginning, and the display will flash, alternately offering a new deal and stating the selected system. 4.4 Seeing the Other Hands – View Hands 4.
Whenever a key is pressed, there will be an audible response. For a valid key, the computer will acknowledge with a brief “beep”. Where the key selection concludes a bid or a card play, if your choice is correct, you will hear a short high-pitched tune. However, if a wrong key is pressed, or a wrong bid or card is used, a short deep-pitched tune will be played.
a. Electronics dislike liquids or moisture, so do not allow the computer to get wet, and avoid situations where food or drink might be spilt on it. b. The computer casing provides good protection against dust. Nevertheless, avoid leaving it in dirty environments. c. Do not subject the computer to knocks or persistent vibration. d. Do not try to clean the case with chemical agents, as they may react with the plastic. e. Avoid subjecting the computer to extreme hot or cold temperatures.
5.2 Troubleshooting Guide SYMPTOMS POSSIBLE CAUSE ACTION TO TAKE Batteries weak or dead. Replace batteries. If problem persists, turn Off computer and press ACL. See Section 2.1. Batteries not installed properly. Refer to Section 2.1. Battery contacts poor. Check the contacts on the battery and the computer that they are clean. Ensure the computer contacts have not been bent out of position. Dim or nonsense display on LCD. Batteries weak. Replace batteries.
Will not accept your input. POSSIBLE CAUSE You do not have the card, or your input contravenes bridge rules. Your input is not the best solution. Computer doesn’t accept any card of a hand. ACTION TO TAKE Check you have keyed your response correctly. Use Hint or check companion book. Use Hint or check companion book. You are trying to play a card from another hand. 17 Press VIEW HANDS to check which position is your hand and which position is at the top of the LCD. ENGLISH SYMPTOMS ENGLISH 5.
5.3 Technical Specifications Processor Speed: 4 MHz. Screen: Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), 75 x 61.4 mm. Keys: 32 conductive rubber keys. Batteries: Four 1.5V alkaline mini- penlight, type AAA, AM4, or R03. Power Consumption: 90mW maximum. Battery Life: In operation - up to 170 hours. In Stop mode - up to 1 year. Dimensions: 198 x 108 x 31.5 mm. Weight excluding batteries: 0.25 Kg (.5 lb). Use alkaline or zinc-carbon batteries only.
