What are challenges?

Challenges are a new and exciting one-on-one duel 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 denote 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 and the type of match you're interested in. If they accept your challenge, you will have a few days to finish your hands. When either both players have completed their hands, or the time limit is reached, the winner of the challenge will be determined.

The maximum number of open challenges you can have is limited to approximately 10, but this limit is subject to some adjustments.

Challenge a stranger

Challenge a stranger will launch a new type of match we call an "arena". You can select the scoring type you prefer, and you'll then be matched with a random BBOer and play 8 boards against each other. Let the better player win!

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

Challenge a robot

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

Challenge a star

In Star Challenges you are dealt hands played by star players in BBO. You can choose how many boards to play and the type of scoring. As soon as you complete the challenge you will get your results and discover who your starred 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 now be upgraded for 0.25 BB$. Upgraded challenges use Advanced Robots and are not subject to free 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.