SAITEK PRO BRIDGE 310 User Manual

TABLE OF CONTENTS

AAA/AM4/RO3

Screen, keys and features

1. Introduction

2. Getting Started

Playing your first game

2.1 Installing the batteries

2.2 Dealing

2.3 Bidding

2.4 Playing the hand

2.5 The result

3. Other features

3.1 Changing the bidding system

3.2 Hint

3.3 View Information

3.4 Claim

3.5 Replay hand

3.6 Redeal

3.7 View Hands

3.8 Numbered deals

3.9 Score

4. The Link to Pro Bridge 510

4.1 What it does

4.2 Connecting

4.3 Disconnecting the Link

5. Technical Details

6. Troubleshooting Guide

APPENDIX
– Bidding System
– Scoring

1

ENGLISH

Mini penlite

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Screen, keys and features

⁄LCD screen

Displays all the information needed to play.

3

4

8

4

SCORE

2

VIEW

DUMMY

ESCAPE

HANDS

INFO

VIEW

34

SCROLL

3

D

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M

N

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¤SCORE

Press to see score of rubber.

‹VIEW HANDS

Press and hold to see NS or EW hands.

›VIEW INFO

Shows number of tricks made so far, current

contract and current bidding systems.

fiSCROLL

Press to select number of remaining tricks to be
claimed by NS and EW, or to view further
information in VIEW INFO.

flSOUND

Press to turn sound on/off.

‡HINT/SYSTEM

Press before dealing to change bidding systems.
During playing/bidding, press to ask computer for
suggestions.

° REBID

Press to replay the same deal.

·CLAIM

Lets you claim some or all of the remaining tricks.

‚GO/STOP

Press to turn computer on/off. Bidding systems,
dealer and vulnerability remain the same when
you switch on again.

2

ŒValue keys

Each card value from the two to the Ace has a
key. “1” is for use in bidding.

„Suit keys

Each suit has its own key. Plus a NO TRUMP
key.

ÂENTER

Press to confirm play/bid/hint/claim, move to the
next round of cards being played and to receive a
new deal.

ÊDOUBLE

Doubles the previous bid - indicated by a “d” on
the screen. Also lets you redouble, indicated by
an “R”.

ÁPASS

To pass on your turn to bid - indicated by “-” on
the screen.

ËESCAPE

Press to exit CLAIM, VIEW INFO,SCORE and
HINT modes. Press while playing or during
bidding to return to DEAL SELECTION.

È Battery compartment

In base of unit.

ØACL

In base of unit. Used to discharge static after
inserting a new battery.

∏ Socket for connecting to Pro Bridge 510.

1. Introduction

Pro Bridge 310 is a handheld bridge computer
ideal for anyone who likes a good game of
bridge. If you are a beginner, the accompanying

Introduction to Bridge

understand how to play the game; read it before
you begin.

Below are just some of the features of the
computer:

• choose Standard American 5-card majors or
ACOL bidding system (see section 3.1).

• choose random (shuffled) or numbered
(preprogrammed) deals

• view all the hands

• take advice for the next bid or play

• claim some or all of the remaining tricks you
think you are going to win (see section 3.4)

• check the current scores

3

manual can help you

ENGLISH

2. Getting started

Playing your first game

2.1 Installing the batteries - (see diagram on
page 1).

Insert 4 mini-penlite AAA/AM4/R03 alkaline
batteries. Press GO, if appropriate, to switch
on. If the computer does not respond, press a
pin or other sharp object into the hole marked
ACL in the base of the unit for a few seconds.
This resets the computer and you are now
ready to play.

Your computer is automatically set to the
5-card majors system.To change the setting to
ACOL, see section 3.1.

2.2 Dealing

WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH

D a1

appears on the LCD.
Press ENTER for a random deal.

2.3 Bidding

SOUTH flashes when it is your turn to bid. Key in
your bid, suit (or No Trumps) and level (number).
The computer makes and displays the bids for the
other hands. Continue bidding until there are 3
passes.

2.4 Playing the hand

As in a game played by four human players, the
bids made decide who is to lead. The player to
dummy's right plays the first card unless it is you
(South) to lead, the computer plays the card
from that hand. The value and suit of the card
appear in the middle of the display.

Next dummy’s hand is displayed at the top of the
screen (unless South is dummy, when dummy
hand is displayed at the bottom of the screen).
The word DUMMY appears on the LCD under
either West, North, East or South. One of the
card symbols on the left of the display is under­lined to indicate which suit is trumps, if any.

The computer plays the hands for East and West.
It also plays North’s hand unless North is declarer

4

or dummy, when

you

play both North's and South's

hands.
The word SOUTH flashes on your turn to play.

If you are also playing North, NORTH flashes
on its turn. Once the trick is complete the four
cards are displayed until you press ENTER to
start play for the next trick. If you have only
one card in the suit being played, it is played
automatically for you on your turn.

Press ESCAPE at any time while bidding or
playing to terminate the hand and return to
deal selection.

2.5 The result

The result is displayed after the last trick has
been played. For example, with declarer
playing West, in a contract of 4 spades bid
and made, the display shows:

WEST

♠

4

DUMMY

=

With declarer playing South, in a contract of 4
spades, bid and made with 1 overtrick:

DUMMY

SOUTH

♠

4

P1

or declarer playing East, in a contract of 3
spades, bid but down two tricks:

DUMMY

3

♠

EAST

-2

Press SCROLL
To display the score below the line for the
current game. (Declarer's if he made contract,
otherwise Defenders') Press SCROLL again
to display the score above the line for the
current game. Press SCROLL once more to
return to the Results display.

ENTER adds the result to the running score
and returns to deal selection ESCAPE to go
back to deal selection without adding the
current result to the score and without
changing the dealer.

Once the score reaches 20 000, the computer
automatically subtracts 20 000 from your
number.

5

ENGLISH

3. Other features

3.1 Changing the bidding system

Your computer is automatically set to 5-card
majors when you first start playing. To change
to ACOL:

• DEAL appears on the display when you
switch the computer on or go back to the
Deal Selection menu. Before pressing

ENTER for a random deal, press HINT/
SYSTEM.

• The display shows:

WEST SOUTH

55

SOUTH flashes. To change South (NS) to
ACOL, press “A” (the Ace key) followed by
SCROLL. WEST begins to flash. Press A
again. To change back to 5-card majors, press
“5”. Use the SCROLL key to switch between
the two pairs (EW and NS).

You can use different systems for EW and NS
if you so wish.

Press ESCAPE to return to Deal Selection.

3.2 HINT

For advice during bidding or play, press HINT.
Press ENTER to accept the suggested bid or
play. Press HINT again (or ESCAPE) to go
back to the game without using the hint.

3.3 VIEW INFORMATION

You can check the number of tricks made, the
contract and the bidding systems at any time
during the game by pressing VIEW INFO
followed by SCROLL to step through the
options. The display shows successively:

RECALL TRICKS
RECALL CONTRACT
RECALL (for bidding systems)

except during deal selection, bidding or when
the result is displayed when it just shows

the bidding system in use.
Press ESCAPE to return.

6

3.4 CLAIM

To claim all the remaining tricks for NS during a
game, press CLAIM followed by ENTER. You
can claim part of the remaining tricks for NS
and EW by pressing SCROLL after pressing
CLAIM. Press ENTER when the desired
number of tricks for each side appears on the
LCD.

If you want to continue playing the hand after
pressing CLAIM, press ESCAPE (not ENTER).

3.5 Replay hand

Press REBID at any time during the game to
play the hand again. The dealer rotates as if
you pressed rebid when it was showing deal.

3.6 Redeal

If you don’t like your hand, press ESCAPE
followed by ENTER for a random deal.

3.7 VIEW HANDS

Press and hold VIEW HANDS to see North/
South’s hands. Press and hold again to see

East/West’s hands.

3.8 Numbered deals

Would you like to try a prepared deal that you
can recall anytime? When the screen displays
deal, press any number between 1 and
9999999999 (the digits shift left as you enter
more), then ENTER. If you enter a full 10 digits
the computer automatically goes to the bidding
phase.

3.9 SCORE

Press SCORE, then SCROLL repeatedly to
see the score in the rubber to date. The display
shows:

RECALL SCORE BELOW – the current score
below the line before a rubber is made (NS
then EW).

RECALL SCORE ABOVE – the current score
above the line before a rubber is made (NS
then EW).

RECALL TOTAL – the cumulative score of
previous rubber (NS then EW).

7

ENGLISH

To set the score to zero press SCROLL until “r
s t” (short for “reset”) appears on the display
then press ENTER. Press SCROLL to see the
above again, or ESCAPE to return without
resetting the score.

5. Technical Details

5.1 Weak batteries

Weak batteries can cause incorrect displays on
the LCD or wrong bids and responses. Always
use fresh batteries and replace regularly. Turn
the computer off when not in use to conserve
power energy.

5.2 ACL key

If the computer fails to respond after you have
inserted a new set of batteries, your unit may
have locked up due to static discharge. Turn
off the computer, insert a pin or another sharp
object into the hole marked ACL and press
down for at least 2 seconds to reset the
computer.

5.3 Care and maintenance

Your Pro Bridge 310 is a precision electronic

device and should not be subjected to
extremes of temperature or rough handling.
Use a clean, soft cloth to clean your computer.
Do not use chemical cleaning agents as this
may damage the casing.

5.4 Technical specifications

Processor speed: 3.5 MHz
Screen: Liquid Crystal Display

(LCD)
Keys: 32
Power consumption: 100mW max.
Batteries: four 1.5V mini-penlite

AAA/AM4/R03; Alkaline

type recommended
Dimensions: 198 ✕ 108 ✕ 34mm
Weight: 0.28 Kg

Do not use rechargeable batteries.

8

5. Troubleshooting Guide

SYMPTOMS POSSIBLE CAUSE WHAT YOU SHOULD DO

1. The unit will not turn on

2. Wrong display on LCD

3. Illegal bidding

4. No response or improper
response

5. Display is dim

6. Computer rejects the

card you selected

Batteries weak or dead

Batteries not inserted properly
Battery connectors contact poor
Batteries exhausted

Batteries exhausted

Batteries exhausted
Electrostatic discharge

Batteries weak
You do not have that card (eg.

card in dummy’s hand)
You are not following suit

9

Replace batteries. If problem persists, turn off
computer and press a pin into the hole
marked ACL (See sect. 5.2)

See page 1
Check battery connectors
Replace batteries. If problem persists turn off

computer and press a pin into the hole
marked ACL (see Sect. 5.2)

Replace batteries. If error persists, consult
Distribution Center

Replace batteries
Turn off computer. Press a pin into the hole

marked ACL (see sect. 5.2)
Replace batteries
Key in correct card

Key in correct card

ENGLISH

4. CABLE CONNECTION

4.1 Introduction

4.2 Connecting Pro Bridge 310 to Pro Bridge

510

Included with every Pro Bridge 510 (and Pro
Bridge 500 upgrade kit) is a cable to connect
Pro Bridge 310 to Pro Bridge 510.

1. Switch off both computers.

3. Switch both computers on.

If your Pro Bridge 310 or 510 are already
switched on and connected, switch off and
switch on again before attempting to link the
computers.

4. To start the electronic link:

On Pro Bridge 510:

2. Connect Pro Bridge 310 to Pro Bridge

510 using the cable (see diagram).

4.1 Press ESCAPE until the first menu PCLSD
appears on the LCD. Move
(change setting), press ENTER.

4.2 Pro Bridge 310 always plays South and is
always operated by a human player.
appears on the LCD. If you are playing on
your own, check that North, East and West
are computer players. If more than one
person is playing, change North, East or
West to a human player, as required, (see

5.1 of Pro Bridge 510 manual).

4.3 To start up the electronic link , go to the
setting menu as in 4.2. With

1010

cursor

cursor

under C

under

H, press ENTER. The LCD shows:

H L Players

C
South : Human.

cursor

Move

under L and press ENTER.

The display shows:

YN start link
Yes – South ready.

Press ENTER. The word LINK appears on
Pro Bridge 310's LCD to show that the
computers are ready to be played together.

4.4 Press ENTER (or ESCAPE), followed by
ESCAPE on Pro Bridge 510 to start
playing by pressing ESCAPE (see manual

3.1 Pro Bridge 510 ). When it is South’s
(Pro Bridge 310's) turn to bid or play you
cannot operate Pro Bridge 510 (and vice
versa). When it is Pro Bridge 510's turn to
play, the word LINK flashes on Pro Bridge
310's LCD.

• When the connection is up and running

some of the functions of Pro Bridge 310
cannot be used. For example, VIEW
BIDDING SYSTEMS, CLAIM, SETTING
BIDDING SYSTEMS, REBID, can only be
operated via Pro Bridge 510. The VIEW
HANDS feature depends on the settings
for Pro Bridge 510 (see manual 5.7 Pro
Bridge 510).

• You can still use Pro Bridge 310's HINT
function, VIEW CONTRACT and TRICKS
on your turn when bidding or playing; the
VIEW SCORE (for rubber or TOF de­pending on the level setting of Pro Bridge

510) and SOUND functions also operate.

• To claim the remaining tricks after any
round of play before pressing ENTER,
press CLAIM on Pro Bridge 510. Adjust
the number of tricks claimed for each side
using the SCROLL key and
press ENTER (sect. 7.6 of your Pro
Bridge 510 manual). Press ENTER on
Pro Bridge 310 to confirm, or ESCAPE to
refuse.

11

11

cursor

, then

ENGLISH

ENGLISH

• At the end of a trick press ENTER on
both computers before proceeding to the
next round.

• The vulnerability shown on Pro Bridge
310 matches that of Pro Bridge 510 as
long as it is in the bidding or playing
phases.

To redeal, enter South’s bid first (on Pro Bridge

310) followed by ESCAPE, ENTER on Pro
Bridge 510.

If you have problems linking up the computers,
switch off both computers and repeat this entire
process from the beginning.

4.3 Disconnecting the Link

Turn both machines off; remove the cable.
When you next switch on Pro Bridge 510, the
menu shows

YN start link
Yes – South ready

Move LCD under
link], press ENTER once more.

Pro Bridge 310 plays only rubber bridge. If you
were playing duplicate bridge before you
disconnected, reset the score on Pro Bridge
310 before you begin (see section 3.9). This
ensures that the appropriate rubber bridge
scores are displayed on the LCD.

12

12

N [YN start link. No abort

Cable Connection Troubleshooting Guide

SYMPTOMS POSSIBLE CAUSE ACTION

1. Pro Bridge 310's
CLAIM key will not
operate.

2. You cannot set the
bidding system for NS
on Pro Bridge 310.

3. Pro Bridge 310's
VIEW HANDS function
will not operate.

4. Pro Bridge 310's
REBID key will not
operate.

5. Pro Bridge 510/Pro
Bridge 310's keys will
not operate.

Pro Bridge 310 is linked to Pro
Bridge 510: When the cable is
in operation CLAIM can only
be operated via Pro Bridge

510.
Pro Bridge 310 is linked to Pro

Bridge 510: bidding system
must be set via Pro Bridge

510.
Pro Bridge 310 is linked to Pro

Bridge 510: Pro Bridge 510's
viewing option has been
disabled.

Pro Bridge 310 is linked to Pro
Bridge 510: Rebid must be
operated via Pro Bridge 510.

It is not your turn.

13

Ask Pro Bridge 510's human player to claim
for you on his/her turn.

Set the bidding system for NS on Pro
Bridge 510.

Enable the viewing option via Pro Bridge
510 (see section 5.7 of your Pro Bridge 510
manual).

Continue playing until it is Pro Bridge 510's
human player's turn. Press ESCAPE and
choose "same deal".

Wait until your turn.

ENGLISH

LinkTroubleshooting Guide

SYMPTOMS POSSIBLE CAUSE ACTION

6. Pro Bridge 310 or Pro
Bridge 510 hang up.

7. Pro Bridge 310 and
510 will not link up :
Pro Bridge 510's
display shows:
"

RA link failure

Retry".

The cable has disconnected in
the middle of a game.

One of the computers has
been switched off or switched
off and on again after the
computers were linked.

The cable is not connected to
both computers.

The cable is loose.

Pro Bridge 310 is not ready.

14

Check the cable. If it is loose, switch off
both computers, reconnect cable and switch
on again. When Pro Bridge 510's menu
shows "

YN start link", press ENTER on Pro

Bridge 510.
Switch off both computers and switch on

again. If Pro Bridge 510's menu shows "
start link", press ENTER on Pro Bridge 510.
Otherwise follow the procedure described in
the CABLE CONNECTION section.

Switch off both computers. Connect the
cable. Switch on both computers and follow
the procedure described in the CABLE
CONNECTION section. If error persists,
consult your Disribution Center.

Switch off Pro Bridge 310, then switch it on
again. Press ENTER on Pro Bridge 510
when Pro Bridge 510's menu shows "
start link".

YN

YN

APPENDIX - Bidding System

1.Hand evaluation

a. High card points (H): Ace = 4; King = 3;

Queen = 2; Jack = 1

b. Distribution points (D): Add 1 point for each

card in excess of four in suits not bid by
opponents. Add 3 for a void; 2 for a single­ton; 1 for a doubleton not bid by partner.

c. Playing tricks: tricks expected to be made in

one's own hand as declarer, with a reason­able distribution of the outstanding cards.

2. Major differences between 5-Card Major
and ACOL systems:

a. 5-Card Majors:

•opening of 1 in a major promises at least 5
cards in that suit

•1 major – 1NT is forcing

•opening of 1NT 16-18 points (H) and a
balanced hand

b. ACOL: Opening of 1NT promises 12-14

points (H) and a balanced hand.

3. Opening bids

a. With 13 HD or above, open one in longest

suit. With two suits of the same length, bid
the higher ranking first. In 5-Card Majors,
with no 5 card or longer major, bid the better
minor suit.

b. With a balanced hand, open 1NT if the high

card point count (H) is:

• 16-18 in 5-Card Majors; or

• 12-14 in ACOL

c. With 21 to 22 (H) and a balanced hand, bid

2NT

d. With 23 (H) or above and a balanced hand

or with 24 (HD) or above and an unbalanced
hand, bid strong (HD) 2C.

e. With around 20HD and a strong 6 card or

longer suit in Diamonds, Hearts or Spades,
bid a strong 2 in that suit.

f. With less than 10 (H), a 7 card or longer suit

and 6-7 playing tricks according to the
vulnerability situation, preemptive bid 3 in a
suit.

4. Responder bids

a. Responses to an opening of 1 in a suit:

• With less than 6 points, pass

• With 6 points or more, bid 1 in a new suit if

15

ENGLISH

possible (one over one).

This bid is forcing

for 1 round.

• With a fit of 8 cards (between you and
your partner) in the suit opened, bid that
suit at level 2 with 6-10 points, 3 with 11­12 points, 4 in a major with 13-17 points.

points are needed for a support at 2 in a
major in 5-Card Majors

• With at least 10 honor points and the best
suit, which cannot be bid at level 1, and
has 5 cards or more, bid two of that suit.

.

This bid is forcing for 1 round.

• With a very strong hand of more than 17
points; make a jump in your best suit.

bid is forcing to game.

• With a good, balanced hand, bid 2NT with
11-12 points; 3NT with more.

• In all other situations with 6 points or
more, bid 1NT.

Note that 1NT in response
to a major opening is forcing for 1 round in
5-Card Majors

b. Responses to an opening of INT

• With a 5-Card Major, make a "transfer
bid": with 5 hearts, bid 2D, with 5 spades,
bid 2H, opener will "rectify" on rebid.

.

This

• With one or two 4-Card Majors, and with
at least 8 points in 5-Card Majors or 12 in
ACOL, bid 2C "stayman". Opener will
rebid: 2D with no 4-Card Major suit, 2NT
with both, and 2H or 2S with one.

8

• With a balanced hand, support NT if it has
enough points.

• With a strong hand and a good suit, make
a jump to 3 in this suit. This bid is forcing
to game.

• With a very strong balanced hand, ask for
aces by 4C Gerber. Opener bids 4D with
no or four Aces; 4H with one Ace; 4S with
two Aces; 4NT with three Aces.

c. Responses to an opening of 2C

• With less than 8 points: 2D.

• Otherwise, bid the best suit or NT with a

balanced hand.

5. Rebids by the Opener

a. Rebid the first suit, usually you need a 6 card

or good 5 card suit.

b. Bid a second suit of 4 cards or more. If the

new suit (at the 2 level) is higher ranking
than the first, 18 points are needed. eg After

16

1D/1S, a rebid of 2H requires more dia­monds than hearts and 18 points. This is
because partner has to bid at the 3 level if he
or she prefers the first suit.

c. Bid NT according to point count (H) with no

clear suit fit.

d. Make a forcing or invitational rebid if the

hand is strong enough.

opened, double an opening bid for take-out.

c. Penalty double. Double for penalties with a

strong hand

• if partner has bid and/or

• if the opponent's opening bid was 1NT
and/or

• if the bidding has reached the 3 level and/
or you have many cards in the suit bid by
the opponents.

ENGLISH

6. Blackwood

a. When a slam is hoped for, bid 4NT to check

the number of Aces in partner's hand.
Answers are: 5C with 0 or 4 Aces, 5D with 1,
5H with 2, 5S with 3.

7. Doubles:

a. Negative double or “sputnik”: after an

opening in a minor by partner and an
intervention of 1S, respond with a negative
double to indicate that you would have bid
1H without an intervention and you are not
strong enough to bid 2H.

b. Take-out double: if partner has not bid, with

support for every suit other than the one

8. Pro Bridge 310 has an aggressive bidding
style: In most cases, it automatically bids

17

the “limit bid”, especially when it has found
a fit.

APPENDIX - Scoring

Rubber Bridge Scoring
Score below the line for tricks bid and
made:

Spades or hearts: 30 per trick;
Diamonds or Clubs: 20 per trick;
No trumps: 40 for first trick and 30 for each
additional trick;
If doubled: multiply by two
If redoubled: multiply by four

One hundred points wins game.

Score above the line:

Overtricks

Not vulnerable Vulnerable

Undoubled Ordinary trick value Ordinary trick value
Doubled 100 per trick 200 per trick

Redoubled 200 per trick 400 per trick

Making doubled or redoubled contracts:
Add 50 to all other scores.

Slams

Not vulnerable Vulnerable

Small Slam 500 750
Grand Slam 1,000 1,500

Penalties

Undertricks

Not vulnerable Vulnerable

Undoubled 50 each trick 100 each trick
Doubled 100 for first trick 200 for first trick

200 for each 300 for each
additional trick additional trick

Redoubled Twice the above Twice the above

Rubber bonus
When the rubber is won in two games: 700
When the rubber is won in three games: 500

Saitek reserves the right to make technical
changes without notice in the interest of progress.

18