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Why do people cheat? Maybe they do because it is easy in online bridge. But it is difficult to see what satisfaction they get. Sadly, whatever the reason, there are a number of people who do cheat, and it is totally unacceptable. OKBridge is committed to stopping cheating, and everyone should do their bit by reporting possible abuses to OKBridge protests. 
Cheating is anathema in face-to-face bridge and is believed to be extremely rare. But it is believed that there is a fair amount of it in online bridge. Why? Well, part of the reason may be that despite the friendly nature of OKBridge, some people think of it as just a computer game, with no real feeling that there are real people out there playing, and they do not care if they cheat a computer!
Furthermore, the word “cheating” seems to have been weakened over the years. On TV shows people refer to “cheaters” who have done little more than make a date with their girlfriend's sister! Cheating in life seems to be a mildly unfortunate form of behaviour.
It also is fairly easy to cheat initially, though players who do so will generally be discovered eventually. Husbands and wives may start by playing together online from computers in different rooms in the same house: then they gravitate to playing in the same room, which is more sociable, being careful to make comments only on non-bridge subjects. But then they start making bridge comments, and eventually they realise how easy it is to avoid a stupidity over Blackwood by saying something like “You do realise I could have three aces not none, don't you?” – and now they are cheating.
Players on OKBridge are expected to remember that it ruins the game if they condone [or commit] any form of cheating. It is not a mild social disease: it ruins a great game for everyone else participating. “It's not a World Championship” say some people. No, it is not: but to some people playing it is as important: OKBridge may be the most important thing in some people's lives: let us keep it clean for them and for everyone.
Please remember to write to me with your problems. I am afraid I will not guarantee to answer each query personally, but I shall look at everything sent, and will write about some subjects submitted this way.
Editor's note:
I shall be pleased to hear from you!
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