[bbstar]

GIB automatically leads to last trick for declarer and dummy even if you have "Autoplay singletons" option turned off.
This is bug is annoying and should be fixed.

If you really want to speed up the play, then the path is:
1. Make robots faster. If the server has not been restarted for some weeks, they used to "think" up to 10 seconds per move.
2. Allow "premove". That is playing the card effectively out-of-order. Currently you have to wait for both opponents to discard, if you cash your long suit.

[johnu]

bbstar, on 2025-January-17, 10:47, said:

GIB automatically leads to last trick for declarer and dummy even if you have "Autoplay singletons" option turned off.
This is bug is annoying and should be fixed.

Why is it annoying, did you want or need to think before playing a singleton or playing your last card?

[bbstar]

johnu, on 2025-January-17, 20:06, said:

Why is it annoying, did you want or need to think before playing a singleton or playing your last card?

I need to think afterwards. Why was the card played a fraction before I clicked? It is terrible UX if unexpected things happen. It never saves any time or any clicks for me, just the opposite. And adds annoyance if it happens.

[mycroft]

See the announcement - new BBO autoplays the last trick (only!)

Yes, there are issues about not being able to see the cards without looking in history if you're not quick or not expecting it. The advantages (with real people) are enormous. This kills (or at least pushes back one trick) the troll play of just not finishing the hand until timeout, for instance.

Do I think it's right? I'll see. If it is a bad decision, they can and will likely change it. But being able to hold up an entire table through trollery is worse than "play the card you absolutely have to play, there's no information about your hand to give any more."

[jillybean]

Introducing a pause to the auto play could help.
If all cards are played in a nano second, that would be disconcerting.

[bbstar]

mycroft, on 2025-January-18, 10:09, said:

But being able to hold up an entire table through trollery is worse than "play the card you absolutely have to play, there's no information about your hand to give any more."

There must be a better way to handle slow play. And this is definitely not a problem with Robot play.
Other game servers (eg chess) have already invented the wheel (eg time limit, premove), so maybe these ideas could be used for a better solution.

[mycroft]

Better than what? Doing what we all do face to face - everyone just shows their last trick?

And you probably shouldn't ask me about chess-clocked bridge - I can see the faces of the regulars from here. Let's just say "anything can, and will, be gamed."