Can I make personal alterations playing with PowerShark?
No. PowerShark comes in one version for all players. If there is anything that you find missing while playing with PowerShark, please send your suggestions to hi@wbtbridge.com
Why is PowerShark hesitating?
As in real life PowerShark sometimes needs time to figure out the best move. The more that is at stake, for example slam decisions, the more likely it is that PowerShark takes some time. Its hesitations may also just be a result of slow internet connection. Which one it is will vary, so be mindful of both possibilities.
Why didn't PowerShark give me the right carding?
PowerShark will give you the right carding most of the time, but PowerShark may occasionally false card trying to deceive declarer. Same as an expert human partner.
Why is PowerShark making some unusal bids?
These are rare. PowerShark uses many different metrics, including listening to and trusting (to some extent) the opponents’ bids. Sometimes PowerShark will make bids that may seem crazy to the human eye, leading to both exceptionally good and occasionally bad scores.
Yes, you can! The more logical bridge you play, the more you can trust PowerShark to cooperate. If you decide to shake things up by bringing a lot of confusion into the game, you will experience PowerShark being a bit confused. PowerShark won’t understand what’s going on if the game doesn’t make sense to it.
What is PowerShark based on?
Unfortunately, we can’t give you all the details about PowerShark. What we can say is that it is based on bridge logic provided by world class players.
Does PowerShark know the hands?
No, PowerShark is only given its 13 of the 52 cards, dummy is included after the opening lead. In true WBT spirit we have disallowed PowerShark to cheat in any way.
We run multiple version of PowerShark in the cloud. Each call, play, claim request only contains the known information. PowerShark does not retain any memory of any previous request.
How are boards generated, have you made any adaptations?
No, the boards are generated completely randomly without making any adjustments or trying to avoid PowerShark’s weaknesses.
Why is PowerShark playing a world-class system?
We have carefully selected conventions that we believe are needed and fun to play. Hopefully we have selected some conventions you will find useful enough to go ahead and play with your regular partner.
How can I improve my performance playing with PowerShark?
TIPS: How to best play with PowerShark: PowerShark Tips
CONVENTIONS: PowerShark Conventions
CONVENTION CARD: Convention Card
PowerShark is extensive compared to other bridge robots, but you will find it to be a great partner. Practice with it, and you will not only improve your PowerShark game, but you will also improve your bridge game generally!
What does “PowerShark uses its bridge logic for evaluation” mean?
There are so many possible auctions that providing meaningful explanations to them all would be impossible. In these situations, PowerShark is calculating its bid based on vulnerabilities, position and the auction so far. As in “real” bridge you will find bids that have a broader meaning, and this explanation is meant to cover these situations.
Check Bids is a function used during the auction. By activating the Check Bids button, PowerShark will give you its understanding of that call before you make it.
PS Tip is a function that can be used during the auction. By activating the PS Tip, PowerShark will tell you the call that it would make along with its reasoning.
