PBN File – What is .pbn file and how to open it?
PBN File Extension
Portable Bridge Notation File – file format by N/A
The PBN (Portable Bridge Notation File) file extension is used for storing bridge game records. It is a plain text format that allows for the exchange of bridge hands and bidding sequences between different software programs.
Portable Bridge Notation (PBN)
PBN (Portable Bridge Notation) is a file format used for storing and exchanging bridge hands and results. It is an ASCII-based format that is human-readable and machine-processable, making it suitable for use in a wide range of bridge applications, such as hand analysis, game scoring, and tournament management. PBN files contain information about the bridge hand, including the distribution of cards among the players, the bidding, and the play of the hand. This data can be used to reconstruct and analyze the hand, and to produce various reports and visualizations.
PBN files have a standard structure that includes a header section, a hand section, and a result section. The header section contains general information about the hand, such as the date and time it was played, the location, and the names of the players. The hand section contains the distribution of cards among the players, as well as the bidding and the play of the hand. The result section contains the final score of the hand and any other relevant information, such as the match score or the tournament standings. PBN files are often used in conjunction with bridge software programs, which can import and export PBN files, and use the data to generate a variety of reports and visualizations.
Opening PBN Files on Different Platforms
PBN files can be opened using various software programs and online platforms depending on the operating system and application availability. On Windows, you can utilize programs like Bridge Base Online (BBO), Microsoft Notepad, and PBN Editor. For macOS, BBO and TextEdit are common choices. Linux users can open PBN files with BBO and Gedit.
Converting PBN Files
In case you do not have access to specific software that supports PBN files, you can convert them into other formats using online tools. PBN2LIN is a web-based platform that allows you to convert PBN files to the PDN (Portable Dealing Notation) format, which is more widely supported by various programs. Additionally, you can convert PBN files to PDF (Portable Document Format) using online tools like PBN2PDF or PBN2DOC. This conversion option enables you to open the file using PDF readers such as Adobe Acrobat Reader or Preview (on macOS).
Portable Bridge Notation File (PBN)
Portable Bridge Notation (PBN) is a standard file format for recording bridge deals and games. It was developed by the World Bridge Federation (WBF) in the early 1990s and has since become the de facto standard for the electronic exchange of bridge information. PBN files can be used to store complete bridge games, including the bidding, play, and scoring, as well as individual deals.
PBN files are text-based and can be easily read and edited using any text editor. The format is designed to be portable across different computer platforms and operating systems, making it a convenient way to share bridge information between different devices and software applications. PBN files are also compatible with a wide range of bridge software programs, which can be used to view, analyze, and replay bridge games.