INTRODUCTION

Since it was initially released in October 2000, SWAN Games Company's Internet Bridge Club has enabled thousands of users to play and spectate bridge on the Internet, offering many features such as duplicate scoring, daily tournaments, an advanced rating system, and a friendly club atmosphere. SWAN Games Company has also hosted several special events, including exhibition matches with top experts such as K.Woolsey, F.Stewart, D.Casen, R.Schwartz, B.Garozzo, S.Weinstein, G.Cohler, R&R.Reisig, D.Kleinman, H.Mouser, A.Wildavsky, L.Mori, M.Cappelletti and many more.

Types of Games

We offer duplicate MP/IMP pickup games in our social room, and a variety of pair/team events in our tournament room, including: MP/IMP pairs, Board-a-Match teams, Knockout teams, and Swiss teams. Late October 2001, we began offering ACBL masterpoint tourney events.

Rating system

We have developed our own rating system which is similiar in style to ELO rating systems. Additionally, for each user we list the following: (1) their self-described level, (2) their average MP/IMP statistics, (3) their accumulated SWAN Master Points (which are won by playing in our tournament events).

Schedule of Events

We offer tournaments everyday. Users can visit http://www.swangames.com/tourney for our daily tournament schedule. Events are also announced in our Messages-of-the-day (available when you login using our software) and in our Newsletter (see below).

Special Features

We often host expert exhibition matches with commentary, and free lessons in our play room. Also, photos are available from several ACBL nationals.

Newsletter

We have a newsletter which we use for notifying recipients of special events - such as expert exhibition matches, lessons, or new software releases. You can sign up at: http://www.swangames.com/newsletter

REVIEWS

Friendly, cheap, and lots of tourneys with no additional fees. Grahics and conn stability excellent as well. Popularity is growing fast. :)

Sid Ismail www.elsid.co.za

Swangames is the fastest growing of these (online bridge club) sites. It has not, as yet, attracted many of the top players. I expect that this may change in due course. In demographic terms, Swangames is somewhere between E-Bridge's North American orientation and OKBridge's international appeal.

Possibly as a reflection of its less competitive atmosphere, Swangames may have a significant advantage over the other two (OKbridge, e-bridge) here. In sharp contrast to the "zero tolerance" E-Bridge approach and the recent "get tough" attitude on OKBridge, miscreants can usually expect to meet with moral suasion rather than expulsion here. The jury is still out on which method is best. Judging from the results, I can see why all three have their advocates.

The owners and staff are thoroughly charming, and maintain a presence online. The management is energetic, responsive and pro-active. Software: Here you will find top notch user-friendly client-based software, rivaled only by OKBridge's. This, coupled with the fine support and low cost, explains why Swangames is the fastest growing online bridge service around.

Colin Ward cpw@escape.ca