Bridge Software & Apps
Apps allow you to play on your phone or other mobile device, and connect to the internet for robot or live play. Software can also provide online play, but because it resides on your computer you can play offline when you need to which is an advantage when you’re on the road.
Our sister site, GREAT BRIDGE LINKS, has many pages of links to Bridge Software, Apps, Online Bridge Clubs, and Solitaire Bridge.
Bridge Software/Apps comes in 4 varieties:
Bridge Playing Software/Apps allows you to actually play a game, with the computer or with friends online. We’ve listed some here, but see The Shops for a listing of shops that carry this kind of software. Apps allow you to play on your phone or other mobile device, and connect to the internet for robot or live play. Software can also provide online play, but because it resides on your computer you can play offline when you need to which is an advantage when you’re on the road. For a list of Online Bridge platforms visit our sister site, Great Bridge Links.
Instructional Bridge Software/Apps teaches you the game itself and comes for a variety of levels. We’ve listed some here, but see The Shops for a listing of shops that carry this kind of software.
Over-the-shoulder Software lets you watch bridge experts play famous tournaments and tutors as well. See The Shops for a listing of shops that carry this kind of software.
Reference & Tools Software lists conventions, systems, and named techniques, scores, deals and much more. We’ve listed some here, but see Great Bridge Links Software for more.
The World’s Top Bridge Playing Software
Bridge Baron, USA : Silver Medal 2007. Bronze Medal 2010.
Bridge Baron Bridge Software. Bridge Baron participates annual in Computer Bridge World Championships where it has historically reached top positions: 1997: 1, 1998: 4, 1999: 7, 2000: 5, 2001: 5, no entry in 2002, 2, in 2003 and 2004. More recently it earned Silver in 2017, Bronze in 2016, and Bronze in 2014. Bridge Baron is available for Mac as well as Windows.
Website: www.bridgebaron.com
Blue Chip Bridge
Blue Chip Bridge participated in Computer Bridge World Championships where it reached the following positions: 1998: 5, 1999: 6, 2000: 6, 2001: 6, 2002: 6, 2003: 7, 2004: 6, 2005: 6 and 2006: 6. It hasn’t been seen at the Championships lately but it’s still around. “The best program for Acol players” Zia Mahmood. Windows only.
Website: www.bluechipbridge.co.uk
Jack : Bronze Medal 2007. Silver Medal 2008. Gold Medal 2009. Gold Medal 2010. Bronze 2011. Gold 2012. Gold 2015.
Jack is the a times World Computer Bridge Championships Gold medalist – 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013 and 2015. Jack has not entered the championships since. Praised for its user friendliness. A good review of Jack can be found on Computer Bridge here ->
Website: www.jackbridge.com
Micro Bridge, Japan : Silver 2014. Bronze 2015. Silver 2016. Bronze 2017. Silver 2018.
Micro Bridge has participated in all the ACBL Computer Bridge World Championships. Although the Japanese have yet to win gold, Micro Bridge is always a top-finisher. Read more on Computer Bridge here ->
Website: http://www.osk.3web.ne.jp/~mcbridge/
Q-Plus Bridge, Germany : Bronze Medal, 2007, Silver Medal 2011. Bronze 2012. Bronze 2015. 4th 2018.
In the early years of computer bridge Bridge King (predecessor of Q-Plus) participated in the Computer Bridge World Championships where it finished 3 in 1991, 1 in 1992, 3 in 1993. Q-Plus Bridge participated in Computer Bridge World Championships where it reached the following positions: 1997: 2, 1998: 2, 1999: 5, 2000: 2, 2001: 4, 2002: 5, 2003: 5, 2004: 5, 2005: 3, 2006: 4. 2018 Bronze. According to Computer Bridge, QPlus is one of the oldest Bridge Programs. The total development time (since its start in 1990) is now approximately 22.000 hours.
Website: www.q-plus.com
WBridge5, France: Gold Medal 2005, 2007 & 2008. Silver 2009. Silver 2010. Bronze 2011. Silver 2012. Bronze 2014. Silver 2015. Gold 2016 Gold 2017. Gold 2018.
WBridge5 won the World Championships for the first time in 2005. WBridge5 had already been very close to the Computer Bridge World Championship title for a few times before that, losing a final to Jack by 1 IMP in 2002, losing a chance in 2003 when Bridge Baron pulled a stunt and WBridge5 didn’t make the final by just a few points. In 2005 WBridge won its first Gold. In the final, which was broadcast live on Bridge Base Online, 4-time reigning World Champion Jack was defeated. Since then WBridge is always in the top 4, and is the reigning champions winning gold in 2016, 2017 and 2018.
Wbridge5 as the machine used in FunBridge (now GoToBridge) and is also available for online play on sites Bridge Now and BridgeEZ. Read more about this robot on Computer Bridge here ->
Website: http://www.wbridge5.com/
TCS Bridge Bot, India
TCS BridgeBot is being developed by Tata Consulting Services, Prasad Ramesh Bokil, Prasad.Bokil@tcs.com. They played in the 2018 and 2019 Championships placing 6th in 2019.
Website: https://www.tcs.com/
Meadowlark Bridge, USA.
Entered in the 2018 championships where it placed 9th and in the 2019 Championships where it withdrew before the completion of the round robin. Meadowlark Bridge is being developed by Rodney Ludgwig, rod@fmendoscopy.com
Synrey Bridge, China. Silver 2017. Bronze 2018.
Synrey Bridge made it’s appearance on the international stage in 2016 and won Silver against WBridge5. Website features an App recently ported into English. You can now play online with Synrey Bridge read about that here ->
Website: http://www.synrey.com/root.html
Robo Bridge, The Netherlands. 2017, 3rd. 2019, 5th.
Robo Bridge has participated in the World Championships a few times now, winning a Bronze medal last year. RoboBridge is also a web-based online Play Against the Robots.
Website: http://www.robobridge.com/
Shark Bridge, Denmark. Gold 2014, Bronze 2016.
Shark Bridge has been around for a while and continues to develop its software and interfaces. It’s available as an app or as software.
Website: http://www.sharkbridge.info/
THERE’S AN APP FOR THAT!
You can now play bridge, practice bridge and read bridge conventions while relaxing at the cabin thanks to these iTunes and Android Apps
Updated May 2018.
Play Against the Bots
A popular bridge app is now one that allows players to play against robots. The beauty of this is you can pull out your phone anytime anywhere and play a few hands. Practice your game on the go! With most of these apps you can play in a variety of games, formats, and even tournaments.
Funbridge iPhone, iPad and Android mobiles and tablets and as well, you can play it on your Mac and Windows computers. No matter what device you log in from, the game or tournament you’re playing will continue. Free Trial Hands | Purchase Deal Packs | Subscribe Monthly | Pay as you go. Extras: Quiz app, Live Championship Broadcasts, Federation and WBF Robot Bridge Tournaments, 13 languages.
Goto Bridge iPhone iPad and Android as well as download software options. Lessons, practice and competition directly at home. Play against robots.
Sky Bridge Club – your friendly online bridge club. Play against Robots.
BridgePro: Android only. Play against robots. Random Deal Generator
Bridge Base Online : Android and iOS. Connects to BBO servers. Play against people or robots. Watch live play.
iBridge Baron. Based on the best-selling computer bridge software Bridge Baron. Runs on Android and iOS. Apps need to be purchased. Preset deals from tournaments need to be purchased. Play with people or robots. Multiple languages including Chinese, French, German and Spanish.
Shark Bridge – 2014 Computer Bridge Champion, Shark bridge a complete bridge game for your iPad, iPhone and Mac computers. Free with a lot of interesting pre-loaded hands from past tournaments. Play robots, or play with people.
Ultimate Bridge is now available for Android Click Here >
Bridge Bandit: Bridge Bandit features a beautifully designed interface that is easy to use and great looking. Choose from four different ways to play: in a competitive league, in a direct challenge with a friend, in a historical tournament comparing yourself with the best of the best, or in a quick blitz. Create your profile, find and make friends and even join or form a club.
Bridge by NeuralPlay has excellent AI to play against, and you can check it out on Android .
Bridge V+ offers rubber and chicago bridge games for real or virtual money, and it’s FREE on Android or iTunes.
iBridge+ offers duplicate, rubber, play against the bots, compare with other players in tournament. Some money play. Free download. 16 trial hands. After that purchase a batch of 100 hands or a Lifetime subscription.
Totally Bridge – from Great Game Products. Play against robots. 14 day free trial then $3 monthly. In this feature-rich & universal bridge card game, you are in complete control. Enjoy one-on-one fun and play bridge against the computer, features will make Totally Bridge your #1 favorite bridge card game.
Bridge Baron – for iOS and Android from Great Game Products. This is software ported to apps. Apparently the Apple version is much better than the Android version. Bridge Baron was one of the first software developers that offered software for Macintosh. $22 to purchase app. Millions of deals. Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced.
Kida – Double Dummy app for Kids (and Adults) to learn card play. Level 1 is designed for an absolute beginner.Levels 5 and 6 will be suitable for the intermediate player. There are 52 puzzles in each of the 6 levels. Its a hand holding app – so starts very very slowly – BUT one can start at ANY level.3 puzzles are unlocked in each level, but when each get solved successfully, the next one gets unlocked, and so on. Click here to travel to their website and download.
Bridge Doddle – This is a ‘flash card’ app that presents bridge problems and provides informative instructional answers. Available through iTunes and Google Play. You can choose from more than 250 different in-apps, each system, each skill – in seven different languages. It now includes the new sets for SAYC, Better Minor, ACOL (3 different styles), 2/1, Precision and Forum D 2012 – the most current five-card-major-system of the German Bridge Association. New card sets are produced on a regular basis.
APP: Bridge Carlos. Aimed at the beginner to intermediate player, it contains opening and responding lessons as well as some conventions.I wrote the app working one day per week over the past year, envisaging that it would help promote the game to younger audiences. It could also be an aid for tutors, allowing the tutor to use an iPad (or iPads) as an assistant. I would welcome your feedback on the app.The lessons are also available in video format via youtube – search for “BridgeCarlos App”.
Bridge Solver– new android APP. Bridge Solver incorporates Bo Haglund’s double dummy solver module enabling calculation of makeable contracts and par contracts for any bridge hand. The user can ‘play’ all four positions interactively, and as each card is played the app shows the total number of tricks that will be made for each valid card that can be played in the current position (assuming perfect play by the declarer and defenders from that point onwards). It also contains a built in browser allowing the user to browse bridge club websites. For certain types of club results page (currently those hosted on BridgeWebs or Pianola) the app will recognise if the page contains a hand diagram – a single click will then import the hand into the app for double dummy analysis or interactive play as described above. The app can also import hands from a PBN file, or a hand can be manually entered.
YOU HOLD – Bridge Winners launches a tool for bridge players to answer, create, and share bidding and lead problems. Compare your answers against top bridge players from around the world. Ever wondered how to bid a certain hand? What is the best opening lead? Now you can ask the members of the leading Internet bridge community, Bridge Winners, about a problem you faced at the bridge table. Tell them “you hold…” and what the auction is, and you’ll soon get votes and comments from people around the world. Or answer the problems yourself and see if the best bridge players agree with you. Apple Store (not currently available) | Google Store
Personal Bridge Scorer – Sky Bridge Club offers a web-based bridge scorer that makes scoring a bridge hand easy! Use Bridge Scorer calculator to check your scores.
Bridge Score Calculator: Using your Android phone or tablet, the Bridge Score Calculator displays any duplicate score possible. Simply Swipe and Tap your way to the contract and result desired. Click here.
Spring 2015: Dup Bridge iPhone App – a unique approach to dealing duplicate hands at home and scoring results. (not currently available)
2014 : BridgePhone. BridgePhone is a wireless scoring system leveraging modern Android phone technology.
Feb 2014 : Bridge Solver– new android APP. Bridge Solver incorporates Bo Haglund’s double dummy solver module enabling calculation of makeable contracts and par contracts for any bridge hand. The user can ‘play’ all four positions interactively, and as each card is played the app shows the total number of tricks that will be made for each valid card that can be played in the current position (assuming perfect play by the declarer and defenders from that point onwards). It also contains a built in browser allowing the user to browse bridge club websites. For certain types of club results page (currently those hosted on BridgeWebs or Pianola) the app will recognise if the page contains a hand diagram – a single click will then import the hand into the app for double dummy analysis or interactive play as described above. The app can also import hands from a PBN file, or a hand can be manually entered.
Summer 2013: BRIAN: Duplicate Scoring/Reporting Ap. BriAn is an electronic scoring system for the game of contract bridge. Using Android smartphones and iPhones, BriAn can support duplicates, tournaments and café bridge. BriAn can also function as a personal scoresheet for a tournament, or as a record for social game of rubber or Chicago bridge.
Spring 2012: Two Bridge apps for Android! Bridge Diary | Bridge Bidding Box
August 2011:: Bridge Calculator is freeware program that solves problems in the Bridge card game. It quickly solves the double dummy problem, has both graphical and console-based multiple languages user interfaces. It can imports deals from files in many formats, like PBN, BBO .lin files and files generated by the KoPS program.Best regards, Piotr Beling
There are some great online bridge clubs where you can play with people around the world. Many of these clubs have web-based interfaces, and some also have app interfaces. Click here for a full listing of Online Clubs.
BridgePlayer: Android and iOS. Connects to Bridge Club Live and Bridge 3 Free servers. Play against people.
Bridge Base Online : Android and iOS. Connects to BBO servers. Play against people or robots. Watch live play.
Bridge Island: Android and iOS. Duplicate IMP scoring, rating systems, excellent graphics. Play with real people. Spectator mode. FREE with limited functions. SUBSCRIPTION for more.
iBridge Baron. Based on the best-selling computer bridge software Bridge Baron. Runs on Android and iOS. Apps need to be purchased. Preset deals from tournaments need to be purchased. Play with people or robots. Multiple languages including Chinese, French, German and Spanish.
Shark Bridge – 2014 Computer Bridge Champion, Shark bridge a complete bridge game for your iPad, iPhone and Mac computers, (Windows version is coming soon). Free with a lot of interesting pre-loaded hands from past tournaments. Play robots, or play with people.
