What are Bridge Base Dollars?
Bridge Base Dollars (BB$) are like pre-paid entry fees for use on BBO (BridgeBase.com).
They are added to your account primarily when you purchase BB$. They are deducted from your account when you purchase entry to tournaments, as well as when you rent a robot, and so on.
Note - BB$ are not cash. They are not refundable, nor can they be withdrawn as cash. BB$ purchased on the site expire three years after your username becomes inactive (no logins to BBO).
Why do I need BB$?
It is BBO's currency - the only way to pay for services and sessions on BBO. In return for allowing us to host our own club sessions or tournaments on BBO, they insist we set a minimum table money for these club sessions in - you guessed it - BB$. This allows BBO to take a share of the table money before passing the remainder back to the club.
You don't need BB$ to play at your own table with PBC friends on BBO or for most parts of BBO - but you will need to pay a small table money fee, using BB$, to play in our club sessions or tournaments.
How to purchase BB$
If you are not comfortable with online purchases, you might ask a family member or friend to do this on your behalf - you will need to share your BBO username and password.
Buy BB$ on the BBO site by clicking on "BB$" and paying via a credit card or Paypal account. This BB$ button is generally found near your username at the top right of the BBO screen.
On a smartphone or tablet app you can access your BB$ account via the Shop tab at the bottom of the screen but don't buy them here. Purchasing BB$ via the app on a mobile phone or tablet may attract a significant Apple/Android surcharge. For example, BB$1 might cost $A1.60 when purchasing from the BBO website using a browser, but if purchased via the BBO app on a mobile phone or tablet, the cost of each BB$ might rise to somewhere between $A2.40-2.50. If you need to use your smartphone or tablet, access BBO via its browser when you want to buy BB$, rather than via the app.