8W99 rpbridge.net Main


Bidding Poll Bot Results


 by Richard Pavlicek

From March 2001 to July 2006, I tested various computer bridge programs on the problems in my bimonthly bidding polls. Results summarized here should not be considered rigid analyses, because certain factors could not be equalized, e.g., bidding system understandings, and the time required for each call. Programs with adjustable skill levels were tested at the highest setting not to exceed 30 seconds per call.

Overall StatsBidding Polls

Participants (alphabetical)
ProgramAuthor/CreatorCountry
Blue Chip BridgeIan Trackman and Mike WhittakerUnited Kingdom
Bridge BaronTom Throop and Stephen SmithUnited States
Bridge BuffDoug BennionCanada
Finesse Bridge (defunct)Mark and Aaron MarinUnited States
GIBMatthew GinsbergUnited States
HAL 9000*someone with a warped mindouter space
JackHans KuijfNetherlands
Micro BridgeTomio and Yumiko UchidaJapan
Q-plus BridgeHans LeberGermany

*fake bot included for amusement — call it payback for misdeeds in 2001: A Space Odyssey. HAL’s scores were appreciated,
not only for their perpetual stake on last place but for lowering the average bot score, making the real bots look better.

Final Year Rankings (September 2005 to July 2006)
RankAverageBestProgramSepNovJanMarMayJul
150.501Bridge Baron405251534246
246.501Q-plus Bridge314536554442
344.751Blue Chip Bridge354636454741
444.502Jack434640474241
543.753Micro Bridge414340474243
643.501GIB443940424444
740.252Bridge Buff345241253334
816.258HAL 9000141312111126

Only the best four (of six) scores are used to calculate average.

8W99 rpbridge.net MainTop Bidding Poll Bot Results

Overall Stats

Below are the top bot programs in various categories for all 33 tested bidding polls (March 2001 to July 2006).

Highest Average Score
RankAvgProgramLocation
143.33GIBUnited States
242.91Micro BridgeJapan
342.61Bridge BaronUnited States

Most 50+ Scores
RankTimesProgramLocation
16Bridge BaronUnited States
26Blue Chip BridgeUnited Kingdom
34Q-plus BridgeGermany

Most Times Above Average
RankTimesProgramLocation
112Micro BridgeJapan
210Bridge BaronUnited States
38GIBUnited States

Highest Percent Times Above Average
RankPercentProgramLocation
136.36Micro BridgeJapan
230.30Bridge BaronUnited States
327.27JackNetherlands

Highest Average Rank
RankAvgProgramLocation
13.27Micro BridgeJapan
23.67GIBUnited States
33.79Bridge BaronUnited States

Most Wins
RankTimesProgramLocation
18Bridge BaronUnited States
26Micro BridgeJapan
36Blue Chip BridgeUnited Kingdom

Most Times Winner or Runner-up
RankTimesProgramLocation
112Micro BridgeJapan
211GIBUnited States
311Bridge BaronUnited States

Most Top 3 Finishes
RankTimesProgramLocation
118Micro BridgeJapan
217GIBUnited States
316Bridge BaronUnited States

8W99 rpbridge.net MainTop Bidding Poll Bot Results

Bidding Polls

Below are the bot rankings for each of the 33 bidding polls tested. The version number of each program is shown. Headings show the number of human entries and the average score, which does not include bot scores. Click on the date to see the actual bidding poll.

March 2001 (294 humans 47.39 average)
RankScoreProgram123456
155Bridge Baron 11.0D2 D2 H5 D3 D3 C
251Q-plus Bridge 6.14 C2 D2 H4 H3 D3 C
350Blue Chip Bridge 3.4.04 C2 D2 H5 D3 D3 C
448Micro Bridge 9.01P2 D2 H5 D3 D2 NT
547GIB 4.1.24 C2 D2 H6 D4 D2 S
642Bridge Buff 8.04 C2 D2 H4 NTP2 NT
734Finesse Bridge 2.5P2 D2 S5 SP3 C
815HAL 90004 CP2 S5 H2 NT3 NT

May 2001 (519 humans 47.34 average)
RankScoreProgram123456
148Bridge Baron 11.03 NT4 H5 C3 S3 HD
245Micro Bridge 9.013 NT5 HDP3 SD
345Q-plus Bridge 6.13 NT4 HD2 S3 NTD
443Finesse Bridge 2.53 NT4 HP2 S4 DD
537GIB 4.1.23 NT6 H4 C2 S3 SD
634Bridge Buff 8.03 NT4 H5 C2 S3 NTP
711HAL 90005 D4 NT4 S3 D4 HP

July 2001 (583 humans 47.93 average)
RankScoreProgram123456
146Finesse Bridge 2.5P3 NT4 DP3 D3 H
243Blue Chip Bridge 3.4.3PP3 D2 D3 H3 H
342GIB 4.1.2P2 NT3 C2 S3 D2 NT
441Micro Bridge 9.01P2 S3 D2 D3 NT3 H
541Q-plus Bridge 6.1P2 NTP2 H3 NT3 H
634Bridge Buff 8.0P2 D3 D2 D3 NTP
732Bridge Baron 11.0P2 D2 NT3 D3 H3 H
87HAL 90002 NT3 D2 NT3 NT3 HP

September 2001 (577 humans 47.64 average)
RankScoreProgram123456
141Bridge Buff 8.04 S4 H4 H2 H4 NT2 H
240Blue Chip Bridge 3.4.33 S3 H4 H2 H4 NT4 H
339GIB 4.1.122 NT4 H4 S2 H4 C2 S
437Bridge Baron 11.03 S2 H4 H1 NT4 NT2 S
537Q-plus Bridge 6.12 H3 H4 HD6 S2 S
635Micro Bridge 9.012 S2 H4 H2 H4 NTD
734Finesse Bridge 2.54 S2 H3 S2 H6 S2 H
814HAL 90002 NTP4 NT1 NT5 SP

November 2001 (714 humans 46.28 average)
RankScoreProgram123456
146Micro Bridge 9.01D3 DP4 HP4 C
245Bridge Buff 8.0D3 D5 S4 HP4 C
345GIB 4.1.12D3 D5 S4 H4 HP
444Blue Chip Bridge 3.4.3D3 DP4 C4 HP
541Q-plus Bridge 6.15 H3 DP2 CPP
639Finesse Bridge 2.5D2 SP4 H3 HP
737Bridge Baron 11.0D3 DP4 H3 H5 C
811HAL 9000PD5 NT3 NT2 H4 H

January 2002 (767 humans 46.93 average)
RankScoreProgram123456
144Micro Bridge 9.014 SP3 D5 C4 SD
243GIB 4.1.123 SP2 NT3 H2 NTD
341Bridge Buff 8.02 D5 C3 NT4 C3 S4 D
441Finesse Bridge 2.53 S5 C3 D5 C2 D4 D
539Bridge Baron 11.03 SP3 D5 C3 S4 D
635Q-plus Bridge 6.14 S5 C2 H5 C3 CP
733Blue Chip Bridge 3.4.34 S5 C3 D5 C2 CP
89HAL 90002 S3 NT4 C3 S2 H3 S

March 2002 (813 humans 47.33 average)
RankScoreProgram123456
149Bridge Buff 8.0P3 NT3 NT4 D1 HC
246GIB 4.1.121 NT3 NT4 S5 D1 HC
341Blue Chip Bridge 3.4.3P3 H5 CP1 CC
441Q-plus Bridge 6.1P3 CPP1 CD
539Micro Bridge 9.012 HP5 C4 DPA
635Finesse Bridge 2.5P3 NTPP1 CC
733Bridge Baron 11.0DPP5 D1 HA
813HAL 90002 C2 SP3 NT5 CE

May 2002 (844 humans 46.42 average)
RankScoreProgram123456
151Blue Chip Bridge 3.4.34 NT2 H3 NT2 S2 SA
246GIB 4.1.127 H2 H3 NT4 S2 SA
342Q-plus Bridge 6.14 S2 H5 C2 S2 CC
439Micro Bridge 9.014 NT3 H3 NT1 S4 HA
531Bridge Buff 8.04 NT3 H5 C1 S4 HG
629Finesse Bridge 2.55 C2 H3 S1 S3 HA
726Bridge Baron 11.04 NT3 H4 NT1 S4 HG
810HAL 90005 NT4 HPP4 HD

July 2002 (875 humans 46.94 average)
RankScoreProgram123456
150Blue Chip Bridge 3.4.33 C4 S4 HPD3 D
250Micro Bridge 9.012 NT5 S4 H3 DD3 D
349GIB 4.1.123 C4 S4 HPD2 D
447Bridge Buff 8.03 NT4 S4 HPD2 D
545Bridge Baron 11.03 CP3 HPD3 D
645Q-plus Bridge 6.13 NT4 S3 H2 NTD2 D
731Finesse Bridge 2.53 NT4 SP4 DD5 D
810HAL 90005 C6 SP4 D5 NT2 S

September 2002 (900 humans 49.37 average)
RankScoreProgram123456
153GIB 6.1.04 S3 C3 NT4 D3 SF
249Bridge Baron 11.05 D3 C3 NT4 D3 HF
348Blue Chip Bridge 4.0.0P3 C3 NT4 D4 CF
440Finesse Bridge 2.5PP3 NT4 D3 HB
536Q-plus Bridge 6.1PP3 NT4 D4 HF
632Bridge Buff 8.0PP3 NT4 C3 NTF
732Micro Bridge 9.01PP3 NTP3 HB
810HAL 9000P2 C4 NTP4 NTC

November 2002 (939 humans 46.74 average)
RankScoreProgram123456
151Blue Chip Bridge 4.0.13 DP2 DP2 NTB
247GIB 6.1.03 D4 CDPPD
346Bridge Baron 11.05 D4 D2 DP3 HC
446Q-plus Bridge 6.12 NTD2 DP2 NTD
543Micro Bridge 9.013 D4 D3 D3 S2 SB
641Bridge Buff 8.03 D4 D2 DP4 HB
727Finesse Bridge 2.5PD2 S3 C3 HG
88HAL 90002 NT5 D2 S3 H2 SA

8W99 rpbridge.net MainTop Bidding Poll Bot Results

January 2003 (1035 humans 47.05 average)
RankScoreProgram123456
149Micro Bridge 9.012 NT4 DD4 D3 SB
248Bridge Buff 8.02 NTPD3 NTDB
347Jack 2.04 S4 DD3 NTPB
444Blue Chip Bridge 4.0.13 NTPD5 D2 SB
543GIB 6.1.33 CPD4 D2 SB
638Bridge Baron 11.03 CPD3 NT2 NTB
738Q-plus Bridge 7.13 NT4 DD3 H3 DG
814HAL 90003 S4 C2 NT6 D4 SD

March 2003 (999 humans 45.27 average)
RankScoreProgram123456
154Blue Chip Bridge 4.0.52 NTP3 C5 H3 HC
252Bridge Buff 8.03 NTP2 NT6 H4 HC
348GIB 6.1.34 S4 NT3 CP3 HB
447Micro Bridge 9.013 S6 C3 NT5 H4 HC
545Jack 2.03 SP3 NTD3 DB
642Q-plus Bridge 7.12 NT4 C2 S5 S3 DC
737Bridge Baron 11.0PP1 NTP2 NTF
88HAL 90003 C6 C2 CD2 SD

May 2003 (1036 humans 44.62 average)
RankScoreProgram123456
148Bridge Baron 11.0DP5 D3 C4 NTE
246Micro Bridge 10.015 D2 S5 D2 NT4 NTE
344Blue Chip Bridge 4.0.64 S2 S5 D2 NT6 NTE
440Bridge Buff 8.05 DP5 D3 C3 NTA
538Q-plus Bridge 7.1D2 NT5 D3 C4 CE
637GIB 6.1.35 HD6 DD3 NTA
735Jack 2.04 S2 SDD3 NTE
86HAL 90006 D3 NTPP3 NTG

July 2003 (1083 humans 46.21 average)
RankScoreProgram123456
150Q-plus Bridge 7.13 CD2 NT3 NT1 NTB
247Micro Bridge 10.012 C4 D2 NT3 NT2 HF
346Bridge Baron 11.03 C4 D2 NT3 NT2 DI
442Blue Chip Bridge 4.0.62 CP2 NT3 NTPH
542Jack 2.05 C5 D3 H3 NT1 NTB
642GIB 6.1.3P4 D1 H3 C1 NTA
739Bridge Buff 8.05 C5 D2 H3 C2 SC
810HAL 9000P3 NT2 C4 C2 HG

September 2003 (1117 humans 47.31 average)
RankScoreProgram123456
154Bridge Baron 11.05 D4 C3 DP3 NTD
249Micro Bridge 10.014 D4 C3 D4 NT3 NTD
349Q-plus Bridge 7.14 D4 C3 D4 NT3 NTD
448GIB 6.1.33 H4 C4 DP3 NTC
546Bridge Buff 8.03 NT4 C3 DP3 NTD
640Blue Chip Bridge 4.0.74 DP3 D4 NTPA
736Jack 2.04 S4 C3 D5 C3 NTB
811HAL 90003 NT3 NT5 D4 NT4 HB

November 2003 (1149 humans 46.18 average)
RankScoreProgram123456
149Micro Bridge 10.012 S5 DP3 D7C
247Jack 2.02 H4 SP1 D7C
345Bridge Baron 11.02 H4 SP3 D5G
444Bridge Buff 8.02 SPP1 D5A
544Q-plus Bridge 7.12 SP3 D2 D8C
640GIB 6.1.32 SP3 H3 D5I
739Blue Chip Bridge 4.0.82 HPP1 D6G
811HAL 9000D5 S3 NT1 H5H

January 2004 (1257 humans 48.24 average)
RankScoreProgram123456
152Blue Chip Bridge 4.1.02 HPD5 DPB
246GIB 6.1.34 S4 NT3 D3 HPC
344Jack 2.02 SP3 D3 HPB
443Micro Bridge 10.014 SP3 D3 HPC
539Bridge Buff 11.02 S4 NT3 H5 DPB
639Q-plus Bridge 7.14 S4 NT3 D3 H4 CE
738Bridge Baron 14.03 SP4 H5 DPE
810HAL 90004 S5 NT5 HP4 NTE

March 2004 (1337 humans 45.28 average)
RankScoreProgram123456
152Jack 2.033 NT4 C4 C3 NT6 CB
245Blue Chip Bridge 4.1.02 NTP3 NT2 NTDB
340Micro Bridge 10.022 HP5 D3 NTDA
439Bridge Baron 14.03 NTP5 D2 NTPB
537Q-plus Bridge 7.1DP5 D2 NTDF
636GIB 6.1.32 NTD4 D2 NT6 DH
734Bridge Buff 11.03 NTP4 C3 HDH
810HAL 9001D3 NT4 D4 HPE

May 2004 (1265 humans 45.06 average)
RankScoreProgram123456
151Bridge Baron 14.02 H3 H4 H5 C3 NT1 H
246Jack 2.032 H2 H4 HP3 S2 C
342Micro Bridge 10.022 H2 H4 HP3 SP
440Q-plus Bridge 7.12 HD2 S4 NT3 D2 C
534Blue Chip Bridge 4.1.22 NT3 HP5 C5 D4 C
634Bridge Buff 11.03 C4 H4 HP5 DP
732GIB 6.1.32 C2 C4 H6 C6 D1 H
811HAL 90012 CPP6 C3 D3 C

July 2004 (1185 humans 45.43 average)
RankScoreProgram123456
148Q-plus Bridge 7.1DP4 H5 C4 H3 NT
248GIB 6.1.3D5 D3 H6 D4 NTN
345Bridge Buff 11.0PP3 H5 C4 HP
441Micro Bridge 10.02DP3 H4 NT4 HP
539Bridge Baron 14.0DP4 H4 NT4 HN
637Jack 2.04DP3 HP4 NTN
733Blue Chip Bridge 4.2.01 NTP3 HP4 HN
824HAL 9001PPPPPP

September 2004 (1410 humans 44.52 average)
RankScoreProgram123456
147Q-plus Bridge 7.13 NT2 S4 CDAH
243Jack 2.043 NT3 S3 NTPAB
341Bridge Baron 14.03 NT3 S3 NTPIB
440GIB 6.1.32 S2 S4 CPAD
536Bridge Buff 11.03 D2 S3 NTPJB
635Micro Bridge 10.023 C2 S3 NTPAD
734Blue Chip Bridge 4.2.02 NT2 S4 C4 CIB
810HAL 90023 SPP5 DDC

8W99 rpbridge.net MainTop Bidding Poll Bot Results

November 2004 (1276 humans 45.20 average)
RankScoreProgram123456
147Micro Bridge 10.02PDP3 NT4 DA
246Bridge Baron 15.0P6 NT4 D4 H5 DA
344Q-plus Bridge 7.1PDP3 H4 DA
441Bridge Buff 11.03 SDP3 NT3 SG
541GIB 6.1.3PDP3 NT3 NTA
634Jack 2.04PDPP4 DG
729Blue Chip Bridge 4.2.03 SDPPPG
87HAL 90024 S5 S4 SP3 NTC

January 2005 (1450 humans 44.09 average)
RankScoreProgram123456
142GIB 6.1.32 C6 HP2 H3 HA
241Bridge Buff 11.03 C6 SP2 H4 DE
332Jack 2.042 C6 HPDPD
431Micro Bridge 11.002 C6 H3 DDPF
530Bridge Baron 15.03 CP1 DDPE
625Blue Chip Bridge 4.2.22 CP2 D3 CPB
722Q-plus Bridge 7.12 CP2 DDPE
88HAL 90032 HP5 D3 SPG

March 2005 (1447 humans 45.35 average)
RankScoreProgram123456
150Micro Bridge 11.003 H3 C2 D4 D4 NT4 NT
248Jack 2.043 H3 C2 DP4 C3 NT
345Q-plus Bridge 7.14 DD1 NT4 D4 C3 NT
444GIB 6.1.3P3 CP4 D7 S3 NT
543Bridge Baron 15.04 DP2 D3 NT4 H4 NT
636Bridge Buff 11.03 HP1 NTP4 D3 S
723Blue Chip Bridge 4.2.24 DP2 CP4 S5 H
88HAL 90035 D3 H2 NTP3 NTF

May 2005 (1435 humans 43.95 average)
RankScoreProgram123456
149GIB 6.1.3D4 H6 D5 H4 H4 NT
242Jack 2.04P3 S4 NT4 H4 S4 C
340Blue Chip Bridge 4.2.3P4 H5 D4 H3 NT3 NT
439Q-plus Bridge 7.1P4 H5 H4 H3 NT3 NT
535Micro Bridge 11.00D4 D5 H3 NT3 NT3 NT
633Bridge Baron 15.0D3 NTP4 H3 NT3 NT
733Bridge Buff 11.0P3 NT5 D3 NT3 NT5 D
810HAL 90031 S4 NT4 NT4 D5 S5 D

July 2005 (1307 humans 44.67 average)
RankScoreProgram123456
150Q-plus Bridge 7.13 S3 H3 H6 NT4 NTB
247Micro Bridge 11.003 S3 HP4 D5 NTB
347Bridge Baron 15.03 S3 HP4 C3 NTB
447GIB 6.1.33 S3 HP7 NT4 NTA
546Jack 3.013 S3 DP4 NT3 DA
637Blue Chip Bridge 4.2.5P3 S2 NT6 NT3 NTC
735Bridge Buff 11.03 S3 NT3 S4 C3 NTC
811HAL 90034 D4 S3 S4 S6 NTF

September 2005 (1403 humans 44.89 average)
RankScoreProgram123456
144GIB 6.1.34 HPD4 H3 NTF
243Jack 3.014 H2 D3 C5 D3 NTF
341Micro Bridge 11.003 C2 SP3 NT3 NTA
440Bridge Baron 15.04 HP3 C3 H3 NTD
535Blue Chip Bridge 4.2.64 H2 DPP3 NTD
634Bridge Buff 11.03 H2 D3 C5 D5 DD
731Q-plus Bridge 7.14 H2 SD3 S5 DF
814HAL 90036 H2 NT2 NT3 S4 HC

November 2005 (1491 humans 47.30 average)
RankScoreProgram123456
152Bridge Baron 16.0P2 CP4 S1 NTG
252Bridge Buff 11.0P2 CP4 S1 NTG
346Blue Chip Bridge 4.2.6P2 CPP2 CH
446Jack 3.01P2 CPP2 CH
545Q-plus Bridge 7.1P3 SP4 S1 NTE
643Micro Bridge 11.003 H2 DPP2 CG
739GIB 6.1.3P2 SP4 NT2 CC
813HAL 90033 HP5 D5 DPB

January 2006 (1603 humans 45.92 average)
RankScoreProgram123456
151Bridge Baron 16.0PP3 H3 C3 SE
241Bridge Buff 11.0P2 S3 NT3 H3 SF
340Micro Bridge 11.00P3 C3 NTD3 SF
440Jack 3.01D3 CPP3 SA
540GIB 6.1.31 HP3 NT3 SDA
636Blue Chip Bridge 4.2.7DP4 HPPA
736Q-plus Bridge 7.1DD3 NT3 HDE
812HAL 90031 NTDP3 SDB

March 2006 (1580 humans 46.21 average)
RankScoreProgram123456
155Q-plus Bridge 7.11 H2 NT3 H4 DCC
253Bridge Baron 16.01 H3 NT3 H6 NTCC
347Micro Bridge 11.001 H2 NT3 H4 NTCD
447Jack 3.011 H2 S3 H4 NTCC
545Blue Chip Bridge 4.2.81 H3 NTPPBC
642GIB 6.1.31 H3 D3 S6 HCC
725Bridge Buff 11.0P2 H3 H4 HCA
811HAL 90041 S2 HD4 HAA

May 2006 (1533 humans 47.83 average)
RankScoreProgram123456
147Blue Chip Bridge 4.2.93 H2 C3 S3 NT2 CA
244Q-plus Bridge 7.14 S2 NT3 S4 C2 CH
344GIB 6.1.33 HP4 S3 NTDA
442Micro Bridge 11.003 SP3 S5 S3 CH
542Bridge Baron 16.03 S2 C4 S3 NT3 CF
642Jack 3.014 S2 C4 S3 NT2 CH
733Bridge Buff 11.03 C2 C3 S4 NTPC
811HAL 90043 D2 HP4 SPC

July 2006 (1404 humans 46.37 average)
RankScoreProgram123456
146Bridge Baron 16.03 NT2 NT3 S5 CDE
244GIB 6.1.3D3 C3 S3 CCC
343Micro Bridge 11.00D2 NT3 NT5 CCB
442Q-plus Bridge 7.13 NT2 NT3 NT3 DCB
541Jack 3.013 NT2 NT3 S3 CDE
641Blue Chip Bridge 4.2.93 NT2 S3 NT4 CDE
734Bridge Buff 11.03 NT2 NT3 S4 CCA
826HAL 90041 NT2 NT3 NT4 NTAA

8W99 rpbridge.net MainTop Bidding Poll Bot Results

© 2006 Richard Pavlicek