What are challenges?

Challenges are exciting one-on-one duels that you can play against a friend or a random opponent. You get to play the same hands and determine who's the winner in your own private duplicate or total points tournament!

The red/green/yellow icons in the picture above show the status of your challenge.
If a green icon is shown, the challenge is on, and you can begin playing.
If a red icon is shown, you have already completed your portion of the challenge.
If a yellow icon is shown, either the start time of the challenge has not been met or the friend you've challenged needs to accept it for it to begin.

Challenge a friend
When you challenge a friend, you get to invite anyone on BBO to the type of match you're interested in. If they accept your challenge, you will have a few days to finish your hands. The winner is determined when both players have completed their hands, or the time limit is reached.

The maximum number of open challenges you can have is limited to about 10, but this limit is subject to adjustment.

Challenge a stranger
Challenge a stranger launches a type of match sometimes called an "arena". You select the scoring type you prefer, and then you're matched with another BBOer at random and play 8 boards against each other. May the best player win!

The maximum number of arenas you can play is limited to around 3 a day, but this limit is subject to adjustments.

Challenge a robot
In the Robot Challenge you play against BBO's GIB Robot. You can choose how many boards to play, the type of scoring, and whether the game is Best Hand or not. As soon as you complete the challenge you receive your results.

Challenge a star
In Star Challenges you are dealt hands already played by star players on BBO. You can choose how many boards to play and the type of scoring. Once you have completed the challenge you get your results and find out who your star opponent was.

Group challenge
Group challenges allow you to challenge up to 4 friends. Click Group Challenge, then use the + button to start inviting your friends.

Challenge upgrade

Friend and Robot challenges can be upgraded for 0.25 BB$, meaning you play with Advanced Robots and without challenge limits.

The challenge issuer pays 0.25 BB$ which upgrades both matches. If the challenge recipient is a friend or a robot, the challenge is auto-accepted, both matches are upgraded, and 0.25 BB$ is subtracted automatically. If the challenge recipient is not a friend, the 0.25 BB$ is subtracted and matches upgraded only when the recipient accepts the challenge.