[panther786]

We are a group of senior citizens across the globe who regularly play together social duplicate bridge at specified times each week using team match(es) and play 24 boards in each session due to which it is very difficult to find Substitutes willing to commit to almost 2 hours of play. By utilizing pre-dealt deals saved in the Deal Archive of some of us who can set up a Team Match, we can extend the current limitation of 8 players to its multiple to 16 mostly and a few times even to 24. Using this approach with adequate number of capable team match setters, this adaptation can accommodate a large number of players in multiples of 8.
On many occasions, due to power outages and non availability of internet service consistently in Pakistan, where from a vast majority of players in our social group play and are originally from, one or more seats becomes vacant and holds up the play till a willing substitute can be inducted. Would the ability to seat a Robot on a Team Match be helpful in resolving such hold ups in play? This option could also resolve setting up team matches and start play on them in the absence of complete quorum of 8 players required.
I look forward to hearing views of other members experiencing similar issues with feedback on how best they presently resolve them.
Thanks.

[Curls77]

panther786, on 2026-February-17, 01:36, said:

Would the ability to seat a Robot on a Team Match be helpful in resolving such hold ups in play?

A team match requires 8 human players to start.
However, if a player loses connection after the match has begun, the host and co-Directors can use a robot as a substitute for the disconnected player. To do this, they should right-click on the seat and select the "Substitute - Robot" option.

When the original player returns, the director can reseat them by clicking on the Director tab, clicking on the running match, and using the "Reseat Player" tool.

[panther786]

Curls77, on 2026-February-17, 10:41, said:

A team match requires 8 human players to start.
However, if a player loses connection after the match has begun, the host and co-Directors can use a robot as a substitute for the disconnected player. To do this, they should right-click on the seat and select the "Substitute - Robot" option.

When the original player returns, the director can reseat them by clicking on the Director tab, clicking on the running match, and using the "Reseat Player" tool.

Many thanks. Great to know of this option. Best regards.