[bbstar]

Does BBO have an API for Robot providers?

Is BBO considering using other Robots (besides GIB) also?

[diana_eva]

bbstar, on 2025-June-29, 01:19, said:

Does BBO have an API for Robot providers?

Is BBO considering using other Robots (besides GIB) also?

We currently use three different robots on BBO:

• GIB
• Argine (the Funbridge engine)
• Ben (Lorand's AI bot, fine-tuned with additional tweaks to improve performance)

Here's an example of an earlier simulation featuring GIB, Argine, and Ben (note that Ben was in an earlier, weaker version at the time):
https://www.bridgeba...-vs-many-games/

You can follow the latest simulations in the pinned topic in this forum (linked below). We've removed Argine from these results, as it's not a robot we maintain — and its performance wasn't great, likely because it's mostly optimized for SEF rather than 2/1:
https://www.bridgeba...formance-stats/


You can play with Argine in daylongs labeled Acol, SAYC, or SEF. If you are in UK or France you get a free version of each daily, alongside the BXP version.

Ben is available in several places:

• As a free arcade game under Robot World → Try our AI Engine
• In the daily USA Inter-State with Ben and Canada Inter-Province with Ben (if you're located in the US or Canada)
• In Lorand's free daily Ben games

[pescetom]

There was another question

[diana_eva]

pescetom, on 2025-June-30, 11:52, said:

There was another question

We can probably "hook" other robots in BBO like we did with Argine and Ben. I was trying to not talk about APIs because I'm not a tech. But the fact we use 2 external should imply that the answer is yes

[bbstar]

diana_eva, on 2025-July-01, 11:26, said:

We can probably "hook" other robots in BBO like we did with Argine and Ben. I was trying to not talk about APIs because I'm not a tech. But the fact we use 2 external should imply that the answer is yes

Ok, thanks for the explanation. What I mean by API, is actually an open protocol, that would allow anyone (eg me) login as a robot, join a table and play bridge.

Currently it seems to me that GIB is pretty much hard-coded into the software. And the rest of BBO assumes that "Robot" means either GIB Basic or GIB Advanced.

The fact, that there are other Robot providers also, is really encouraging. And I really hope that new Robot providers could have easier access to play the Robots in BBO.

[pescetom]

 bbstar, on 2025-July-14, 19:45, said:

Ok, thanks for the explanation. What I mean by API, is actually an open protocol, that would allow anyone (eg me) login as a robot, join a table and play bridge.

Currently it seems to me that GIB is pretty much hard-coded into the software. And the rest of BBO assumes that "Robot" means either GIB Basic or GIB Advanced.

The fact, that there are other Robot providers also, is really encouraging. And I really hope that new Robot providers could have easier access to play the Robots in BBO.

I think this a very important future issue that BBO and any real competitors should be discussing already. Also WBF if it has any real desire to maintain control of bridge in the future. How does the robot hosting interface work? Who certifies the platforms and the robots as compliant? What characteristics must a robot have (for example, capacity to learn from deviations by partner)? What limitations will exist on agreements between robots? How will agreements be automatically disclosed? How will robot developers be compensated for use? U.s.w.

[mycroft]

So, what you want is a *public* API. That's different :-).

And it would be nice, I agree. Another thing that "would be nice" is a public API for playing, so custom (or even themed) UIs can be created, to solve the "problems" some players(*) have.

The Corporate PTB who want platform lock-in don't like it, though(**). Rock the Casbah.

(*) Please note, I am one of those "some players"; this is not belittling their concerns. I'd love to have some options in the UI that don't exist (and some halfway options that aren't "code your entire bidding system, including differences in vul, ph, competition and meaning of competition, in some obscure format, or do without"). Some of those desired options you can see from BBF history. Some you can't (Just Let Me Use My Font, For Ghu's Sake! I Can Read It!) It's just that Options Are Hard (to maintain, if nothing else; but also for many (especially older, especially not computer-industry veteran) players confusing and an obstacle). But as a skinnable *alternative* for those who can use it--!
(**) Not aiming this (solely) at BBO Corporate. All of the platforms are *very clearly* prioritising their own walled gardens, and their "image branding".