Help Index

Help - Navigation
For further information, be sure to check out About BridgeHands
 

Primary
Navigation

Major Website
Sections

EMAIL Contacts

The BridgeHands website is structured around the following areas, conveniently located at the top and bottom of each webpage:

Encyclopedia, Newsletter, Laws, Products, Services,
Reviews, Training, Practice, Help

The bottom of each webpage also contains BridgeHands EMAIL address contacts.
 

Cookies - how to know where you are and quickly go back several layers
 

Immediately below the navigational menu is a "cookie trail" showing the current webpage within the overall website structure.   Users can also click on these hyperlinks to "go up" one or more levels of the website directory tree.   Note - to enable this feature using the newer Microsoft Internet Explorer browser, right-click on the IE task bar - this allow "blocked content" (Active-X) software necessary to display and navigate the directory tree at BridgeHands.  Here is a working example:
 

 You are at:

Search Tips - type a few descriptive keywords and press "Go".  The Search function default is set to find information on BridgeHands.   Select the "Web" radio button to instead search externally on the Internet.

Google automatically adds "and" between your search keywords. The order of keywords may affect your search results

Place "+" and "-" signs before keywords to further define your search. Use the "+" sign in front of common words such as:

2 Notrump

Use the "-" sign in front of words you want omitted, as:

jump -preempt

Search for phrases by enclosing them in quotation marks, as:

"weak 2"  or  "weak two"

The above searches find the webpages matching your keyword criteria. Once you select the desired document, use your browser's "find" function to quickly locate the keyword within the webpage.  For most browsers, to find information within the webpage:

Select ALT-Edit-Find ( or press control-f )

Enter the desired keyword, as:   2 notrump

Press "Enter"
 

Help - obtain an overview of what's going on

A red Help link is located to the left of the major index pages.  These support pages include additional information helpful to gain insights, i.e., "the big picture" of the functionality and useful tips that parallel the BridgeHands website.
 

Oodles of links so you can quickly find your way around

The BridgeHands website includes thousands of web pages with an enormous number of hyperlinks between these pages.  All pages include internal "meta tags" which aid the user's search engine (Google, Yahoo, etc).   Many hyperlinks also include sub-page indexes ("anchors"); this feature allows the hyperlink to move within a page to the desired paragraph of interest.
 

All webpages include our name BridgeHands in the meta tag to help searches

Every meta tag includes the name "BridgeHands", to ensure you find information here while using your search engine by simply including the word "BridgeHands" in your search.   For instance, this page's meta tag description is:

Help - How to Navigate BridgeHands Website
 

Notice helpful tips like this

Ubiquitous screen and easy to read type fonts

Tables help to visually look through lists

Most webpages are laid out similar to this page.  The left column provides a useful overview of the content detail on the right column (here).

Page layouts are designed to operate within a 800 x 600 pixel web browser screen display.  Typical font size in 12 point with the Verdana font type.
 

Data is often contained in tables like this:
 

	Convention	Meaning
1.	Multiple rows	Lists information
2.	Alternate white-green color	Easier to read

Encyclopedia pages have alpha indexes and Bridge categories

Proficiency ratings

Common terms have unique webpages

The Encyclopedia pages are organized alphabetically, with alpha links at the top of each page.  Secondary indexes are included by categories: Duplicate, Bidding, General, Play, Conventions, Jargon, Rubber; these indexes segment information to the relevant area.

Individual Bridge terms are indexed by category, including hyperlinks.  Relevant terms are rated between one and four stars, according to the level of proficiency associated with the concept.

The terms may have a complete description on the alpha Encyclopedia page, or a hyperlink to a detail or example page.  If the term pertains to a convention, the explanation is consolidated in the Convention category page.

Hyperlinks to external websites generally open a new browser instance (window); close the instance to return to BridgeHands.
 

Laws/Rules are structured based the nature of the Bridge game

Multiple ways to find the Law

Excellent cross references to supporting Law documents
 

The Laws section is structured by jurisdiction:
American Contract Bridge League - Duplicate
American Contract Bridge League - Contract (Rubber)
World Bridge Federation

Laws are indexed by several criteria:
Law number
Alphabetic listing, by both Laws Index an Encyclopedia Index

In addition to the Laws, numerous supporting documents are included.  Many of these documents have cross-referenced links within the BridgeHands website.   For instance, Laws are often cross-linked to Duplicate Decision and Director Tech File documents
 

Products listed by type of media
 

The Products section is organized by Books, Products, and Affiliates.  Vendors may advertise their highlighted products using BridgeHands Webhosting services.
 

Companies, Teachers, and Bridge Players are invited to share their information

Bridge players can improve their game via EMAIL help

Receive free monthly EMAIL newsletter

Services include:

BridgeHands Website Hosting, with segments including: Bridge Teachers,  Bridge Clubs, Bridge Cruises, Bridge Players, and Bridge Products.   Categories are normally listed alphabetically by segment, excepting Bridge Teachers which is organized geographically by territory.

BridgeHands Question and Answer, an EMAIL-based service where customers purchase hourly increments of time.  BridgeHands has two categories based on Bridge player's proficiency: Newcomer/Novice and Intermediate/Advanced.

BridgeHands eMagazine Newsletter is a free monthly newsletter EMAILed to Bridge players interested in improving their game.    BridgeHands has two categories based on Bridge player's proficiency: Newcomer/Novice and Intermediate/Advanced.
 

An immense listing of Bridge books with numerous indexes based on various criteria

Read and provide feedback on Bridge books

Easily identify Bridge-related cruise ships, provide and read Bridge-related feedback by others

Books - This is a major feature of BridgeHands, listing thousands of Bridge books.  Numerous indexes include: New Books, Book Name, Bridge Topic, Author Name, Favorites, Target Audience (proficiency), and Category (major area).   Indexes are generally arranged alphabetically by book name, except author name (Last, First).   Each book has a separate webpage, with a link to order the book (click button or the book picture).  Readers are invited to share their feedback with others using the link to EMAIL BridgeHands

Bridge Cruises - Another great feature at BridgeHands, allowing ocean travelers to learn other's Bridge experiences on the high seas.  This section is organized by cruise company, with ships listed alphabetically.  Like the Book section, clicking on the picture of the cruise ship/vessel links the user to the relevant cruise ship page.  Additional useful links are provided to obtain useful information about the cruise ship, phone number contacts, EMAILs, addresses, and general cruise ship review websites.

Product Reviews operate similar to the above review sections.
 

Coming soon...

Practice - In-depth content, including a large number of "hands on" exercises.