Bridge
About Bridge
Contract Bridge is a classic partnership card game for four players, playing in two teams.
To win, you and your partner must have the highest score after the first team wins 2 “Rubbers”. A “Rubber” is a set of games, and winning two Rubbers signifies the end of a match. In Bridge, the bidding process is crucial for establishing a contract, during which you and your partner communicate to determine the optimal number of tricks and trump suit (if any) for the round. Contract points are scored by the team that wins the bid, and they score points based on their contract type if they fulfill their contract. Bonus points are awarded for “Overtricks” (winning more tricks than the contract required), but penalty “Undertrick” points are awarded to your opponents if you fail to meet your contract.
Quickfire Rules
After the opening lead, the Dummy's (see Bridge Terms below) cards are turned face up for every player to see. The Declarer in the hand plays both their own cards and the Dummy's. If your team wins the contract, you will play both the Declarer and Dummy hands.
Bridge Terms
How Your Partner Plays
Bidding
- Hand evaluation is based on the 4-3-2-1 point count system (Ace=4, King=3, Queen=2 and Jack=1) with adjustments for the location of honors and suit distribution.
- A hand-strength requirement of at least 12-13 points to open 1-of-a-suit.
- Five-card majors: opening a major suit promises at least a five-card holding in that suit.
- Weak two bids: Two Diamond, Heart or Spade openers are made with a sound six-card suit in a hand without enough overall strength to open 1 of the suit.
- Strong two Clubs: All unbalanced hands too strong to open at the one-level are opened with an artificial 2♣ call, as well as balanced hands stronger than 21 HCP.
- Pre-emptive opening bids: Suit openings above the two level are pre-emptive, promising a long and strong suit.
- Limit Raises: A jump-raise of the opener's suit by responder, in the absence of opponent interference, is invitational to game.
- Notrump openers show a balanced hand, with the following common high card point (HCP) ranges:
- 1NT=15-17 HCP
- 2NT=20-21 HCP
- 3NT=25-27 HCP
General Play
- With the opening lead, your partner will lead a card from a suit you bid during the auction (if any), a suit that was unbid by the opponents, or lead a suit they are strong in.
- They are watching your response to their leads. If you play a low card (2-5), they assume you want them to stop running the suit, and if you play a high spot card (6-9), they assume you want them to continue.
- They will watch your lead and try to bring that suit back for you where possible.
- If they spot that you are void in a suit they will run that suit to give you the opportunity to trump (when there are trumps)
- In NT contracts, they will attempt to establish winners in suits they are strongest or longest in.