THE OKBRIDGE STORY
OKbridge, Inc. is an online bridge club dedicated to serving the worldwide community of bridge players by providing a fun online game environment, superior software, and excellent service.
OKbridge was originally conceived in 1989 as a way of playing bridge online with partners that were separated by oceans. The first group of players were located in the US and Europe. Following OKbridge’s public release in August 1990, the idea of online bridge caught on with warm reception worldwide. These new players sent OKbridge a steady stream of suggestions — many of which were incorporated into the program.
As members brought in their online friends to play the game, the membership of OKbridge swelled. Due to increasing demands in supporting the online club, OKbridge conducted a survey in 1993 to determine if members would be willing to pay a yearly subscription fee to insure continued upgrades and support of the software, as well as, providing live customer service and other perquisites. The members approved of the idea and commercial OKbridge was launched in 1994. Today, OKbridge is a true global community of bridge players with members from over 100 countries, making it the world’s largest (and oldest) member-supported online bridge club.
OKbridge Milestones |
| 1990 |
Version 1.0 of OKbridge released to the public as freeware. |
| 1992 |
OKbridge becomes the first online service ever to offer duplicate bridge. |
| 1994 |
A knockout team tournament was held online involving sixteen teams from
four continents. |
| 1994 |
Commercial OKbridge was launched to 500 enthusiastic users. |
| 1995 |
Windows version of software introduced. |
| 1997 |
OKbridge becomes first ever online bridge club to be sanctioned by the
American Contract Bridge League for the issuance of masterpoints.
First ever online bridge club to offer daily online duplicate tournaments. |
| 1999 |
OKbridge inaugurates the first annual Internet World Bridge Championships
co-sponsored by OKbridge, the American Contract Bridge League, Bridge World
Magazine, and the World Bridge Federation. |
| 2000 |
Introduced OKweb, an easy to use Java-based version of the software that
can be played from most web browsers. |
| 2004 |
OKbridge announces a strategic alliance with Prize Money Bridge Tour,
the leading promoter of cash-prize bridge events, to sponsor a series of
nationwide
tournaments. |
| 2005 |
Unveiling of OKplus, a web-based version that works with any browser and runs
on any platform while offering improved ease-of-use and advanced functionality.
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| 2006 |
OKbridge announces strategic alliance and joint marketing agreement with WorldWinnner (FunTechnologies, Inc.) to transition Ebridge members to OKbridge. |
| 2007 |
OKbridge awards contract to Dell Computers and Cisco Systems, upgrading data center server and firewall architecture.
Expands tournaments with ACBL master points. |
| 2008 |
OKbridge implements massive infrastructure and network technology upgrade, awards contract for private data center collocation facilities and expands scalability and reliability. |
| 2009 |
OKbridge releases next generation of OKplus. |
| 2010 |
OKbridge expands payment options adding Discover and American Express to existing MasterCard and Visa in response to member input and request.
Redesigns Conduct and Ethics process for protests and complaints. |
| 2011 |
OKbridge increases Tournament Director staff.
Announces expanded master points tournament schedule.
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Already a Member?
member access includes:
- Our online bridge club, where they can play live bridge via
the Internet at any time of day or night.
- Our exclusive Members Club website, which contains a variety
of bridge-related content.
- Our daily online tournaments, which simulate the experience
of playing a single-session event at a bridge club or tournament.
free trial includes:
As a trial member, you will have seven days to explore our club at absolutely no cost to you.
You will have full access to our online bridge club where you can play live bridge via the Internet at any time of day or night.
You can also visit our Members Club Web site, which contains a variety of bridge-related content, including articles by leading bridge experts.
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