[Bbradley62]

I'm new to BBO and have only played in some of the free tournaments. I've played two free Robot Race tournies, and both times only 2 of the 10 finals scores were positive. Is this usual? In the first, after reading the posts online about these games, I was all geared up to play some speed-demon game. In the second, I simply played what I thought was normal bridge and won by a wide margin. Are the free games that different than the Robot Rewards games?

[TimG]

There are Robot Races and Robot Rewards (I think those are the names). Anyway, one is best hand and one is random hand. Given the number of negative scores in the game you entered, I'd say you were playing a random hand tournament.

Regardless, two is a very small sample size; I wouldn't infer much from the results of your first two.

[PhantomSac]

Yeah sounds like you played random rather than best hand.

Alternatively, maybe in the free ones people bail if they start out badly? Dunno, never played a free one.

[bb79]

Free robot races are random hands, as opposed best hand for south in the $1 robot reward games. I guess the reason for so many negative scores in free robot race is, after 2-3 bad boards, people get bored and tend to overbid, start doubling or redoubling to catch up... Also the bridge level is low, usually beginners, intemediates play free tourneys...
In the robot reward best hand tourneys, you don't need to be frustrated after 2-3 bad boards, because you have a reasonable chance of slammish hands in the next boards anyway... But competition is higher, you need to be fast and have good strategies.