Request for Affordable Membership Pricing for Indian Bridge Players
The Issue
Petition to Bridge Base Online (BBO)
Request for Affordable Membership Pricing for Indian Bridge Players
To: Bridge Base Online (BBO)
Subject: Request for a reduced BBO membership fee for India
We, the undersigned bridge players and bridge enthusiasts from India, are writing to express our serious concern regarding the proposed BBO membership fee of US$5.99 per month.
We fully appreciate the enormous contribution that Bridge Base Online has made to the game of bridge. BBO has transformed the way bridge is played, allowing players from across the world to find partners, compete in tournaments, practise with others and, most importantly, remain connected with the game.
However, a monthly charge of US$5.99 — approximately ₹500–₹550 per month, or ₹6,000–₹6,600 per year — is a significant amount for many Indian bridge players.
Why this matters
India has a large and growing bridge community, with around 20,000 bridge players across the country. A substantial proportion of these players are retirees, senior citizens, students and recreational players for whom bridge is a passion rather than a source of income.
For many Indian players, paying US$5.99 every month is not a small expense. It could result in:
- Existing players reducing the amount they play on BBO or abandoning the platform altogether.
- Senior citizens and retired players, who form an important part of the bridge community, being particularly affected.
- Younger and newer players being discouraged from taking up online bridge.
- Clubs and bridge teachers finding it more difficult to introduce new players to online bridge.
- A reduction in the overall number of Indian players on BBO, thereby reducing the diversity and strength of the international BBO community.
There is also a larger concern.
Bridge needs to grow, not become more expensive to enter.
The future of bridge depends on attracting new players and making it possible for them to learn, practise and play regularly. An additional recurring cost can become a significant barrier, particularly in countries where average incomes are substantially lower than in North America, Europe and other high-income markets.
Our request
We therefore respectfully request that BBO consider a country-specific membership fee for India of US$1.00 per month.
A US$1 monthly membership would be far more affordable for Indian players while still providing BBO with a recurring revenue stream from a large player base.
We believe that a lower price could actually be beneficial to BBO in the long run. If the price remains at US$5.99, many players may simply choose not to subscribe. At US$1.00, however, a substantially larger proportion of Indian players may be willing to become paying members.
A larger number of members at an affordable price may ultimately generate more revenue than a high price that excludes a significant part of the market.
We ask BBO to consider:
1. A special membership rate of US$1.00 per month for players resident in India.
2. Alternatively, a substantially discounted annual membership for Indian players.
3. A reduced or free introductory period for new Indian players to encourage newcomers to take up online bridge.
We hope BBO will look at this issue not merely as a pricing question, but as an opportunity to support the growth of bridge in one of the world's large and rapidly developing bridge communities.
BBO has played an invaluable role in bringing bridge players together across geographical and economic boundaries. We hope it will continue to do so by ensuring that its membership remains accessible to players from countries with very different income levels.
We respectfully urge Bridge Base Online to reconsider the proposed US$5.99 monthly fee for Indian players and introduce a US$1.00 monthly membership rate for India.
Support this petition
If you are a bridge player in India, please add your name and support this request.
Name: ______________________________
City: _______________________________
BBO Username (optional): ______________________________
Email (optional): ______________________________
Signature: __________________________
Our message to BBO
We want to continue playing on BBO.
We want more Indians to discover bridge.
We want bridge to grow.
Please keep BBO affordable for Indian players.
US$1 a month can keep thousands of Indian players connected to the game they love.
772
The Issue
Petition to Bridge Base Online (BBO)
Request for Affordable Membership Pricing for Indian Bridge Players
To: Bridge Base Online (BBO)
Subject: Request for a reduced BBO membership fee for India
We, the undersigned bridge players and bridge enthusiasts from India, are writing to express our serious concern regarding the proposed BBO membership fee of US$5.99 per month.
We fully appreciate the enormous contribution that Bridge Base Online has made to the game of bridge. BBO has transformed the way bridge is played, allowing players from across the world to find partners, compete in tournaments, practise with others and, most importantly, remain connected with the game.
However, a monthly charge of US$5.99 — approximately ₹500–₹550 per month, or ₹6,000–₹6,600 per year — is a significant amount for many Indian bridge players.
Why this matters
India has a large and growing bridge community, with around 20,000 bridge players across the country. A substantial proportion of these players are retirees, senior citizens, students and recreational players for whom bridge is a passion rather than a source of income.
For many Indian players, paying US$5.99 every month is not a small expense. It could result in:
- Existing players reducing the amount they play on BBO or abandoning the platform altogether.
- Senior citizens and retired players, who form an important part of the bridge community, being particularly affected.
- Younger and newer players being discouraged from taking up online bridge.
- Clubs and bridge teachers finding it more difficult to introduce new players to online bridge.
- A reduction in the overall number of Indian players on BBO, thereby reducing the diversity and strength of the international BBO community.
There is also a larger concern.
Bridge needs to grow, not become more expensive to enter.
The future of bridge depends on attracting new players and making it possible for them to learn, practise and play regularly. An additional recurring cost can become a significant barrier, particularly in countries where average incomes are substantially lower than in North America, Europe and other high-income markets.
Our request
We therefore respectfully request that BBO consider a country-specific membership fee for India of US$1.00 per month.
A US$1 monthly membership would be far more affordable for Indian players while still providing BBO with a recurring revenue stream from a large player base.
We believe that a lower price could actually be beneficial to BBO in the long run. If the price remains at US$5.99, many players may simply choose not to subscribe. At US$1.00, however, a substantially larger proportion of Indian players may be willing to become paying members.
A larger number of members at an affordable price may ultimately generate more revenue than a high price that excludes a significant part of the market.
We ask BBO to consider:
1. A special membership rate of US$1.00 per month for players resident in India.
2. Alternatively, a substantially discounted annual membership for Indian players.
3. A reduced or free introductory period for new Indian players to encourage newcomers to take up online bridge.
We hope BBO will look at this issue not merely as a pricing question, but as an opportunity to support the growth of bridge in one of the world's large and rapidly developing bridge communities.
BBO has played an invaluable role in bringing bridge players together across geographical and economic boundaries. We hope it will continue to do so by ensuring that its membership remains accessible to players from countries with very different income levels.
We respectfully urge Bridge Base Online to reconsider the proposed US$5.99 monthly fee for Indian players and introduce a US$1.00 monthly membership rate for India.
Support this petition
If you are a bridge player in India, please add your name and support this request.
Name: ______________________________
City: _______________________________
BBO Username (optional): ______________________________
Email (optional): ______________________________
Signature: __________________________
Our message to BBO
We want to continue playing on BBO.
We want more Indians to discover bridge.
We want bridge to grow.
Please keep BBO affordable for Indian players.
US$1 a month can keep thousands of Indian players connected to the game they love.
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Petition created on 8 August 2026