
Introduction
The bridge card game has been played and enjoyed worldwide for many years. It started in the 19th century as a game called ‘Whist,’ popular in the British Isles. Over time, the game changed and became what we now know as the Bridge game. The upper class first played it, but eventually it became popular in many countries, including the United States. Bridge is known as a game that combines strategic thinking and teamwork.
This article explains the basics of playing Bridge, describes different game variants, and shares some simple strategies to help you improve. Whether you're just starting or already know the game, this guide will help you learn more and improve at playing Bridge.
What is a Bridge Card Game?
Bridge is a classic trick-taking card game played with a standard deck of 52 cards. It requires a balance of skill, strategy, and communication between players. Four players form two teams in partnership, with each team sitting across from the other.
Contract Bridge is an extremely popular card game worldwide. It is played in gaming clubs, tournaments, online, or at home among friends and family. The World Bridge Federation (WBF) organises the game globally, and local bodies manage it at the regional level.
Bridge whist
In Bridge whist, four players play the game as teams of two. Each player is dealt 13 cards. It is different in that in Bridge Whist, the dealer or the dealer’s partner chooses the trump after seeing their cards. They can choose to play without a trump as well. The person sitting to the dealer's left doubles, or they can also pass the ownership of doubling to their partner. Although some clubs allow a limited number of doubles, the leading player and their partner can do unlimited doubles.
The first team to score 30 points wins, and a new game begins. If Trump were a spade, 2 points would be awarded; for clubs, 4 points; for diamonds, 6 points; for hearts, 8 points; for no Trump, 12 points.
Auction bridge
All four players bid to see who can choose the trump suit in the auction bridge, giving them an advantage. The player with the highest bid, or their partner, becomes the declarer, and they play the cards for themselves and the dummy (the partner whose cards are laid out and not played). The auction bridge card game rules have changed a lot over time.
Contract bridge
The contract bridge card game is similar to the auction bridge, but their scoring differs. In auction bridge, the declarer team can count (score) every odd trick they win towards their game, even if they had not committed to winning them.
However, in contract bridge, the declarer can only score those odd tricks if they previously mentioned that they would win them in their bid.
Additionally, the values for tricks, penalties, and bonuses in contract bridges are comparatively higher than in auction bridges, and teams can earn massive rewards in the form of bonuses for bidding and creating slam contracts.
How to Play Contract Bridge?
To get better at this game, you need to learn the nuances of the game and understand how the game is played on the table. Below is a detailed guide on how to play a bridge game:
Deal
The player to the dealer’s left shuffles the cards and transfers the shuffled deck to the right. The opponent cuts it into two packets, each with four cards. The rotation is always from player to player to the left. The dealer deals the cards in rotation, one at a time facedown. He starts with the player at his left, so everyone gets 13 cards.
Auction
Starting with the dealer, players take turns making a call. A call can be:
- Pass, which means I don’t want to bid.
- Bid, where you bid on winning a number of tricks with a chosen trump suit or no trump.
- Double, you challenge your opponent’s last bid.
- Redouble, you challenge a double made against the bid.
The auction ends when three players pass in a row after a bid. The highest bid becomes the contract, and the player who made the bid is the declarer. The declarer tries to win the number of tricks they promised.
Trick Play
- The game is played in 13 rounds, called tricks, and each player plays one card per trick.
- The player to the left of the declarer leads the first card.
- The declarer’s partner puts their cards face up on the table, called the dummy, and the declarer plays for both.
- You must follow suit if you can; if not, you can play a card including a trump.
- The lead suit's highest card wins unless a trump card is played.
- Whoever wins the tricks leads the next one, and this continues until all 13 tricks are played.
Scoring
You score points by winning tricks that you bid. Only tricks above 6 counts for points. The more tricks you bid and win, the more points you win. Clubs and diamonds score 20 points per trick, hearts and spades score 30 points, and no trump scores 40 for the first trick and 30 after that.
If you make your contract, those points go below the line and help you win a game. To win, you need 100 points in one game. Winning two games wins the rubber and gives a big bonus. Extra tricks called overtricks score bonus points above the line.
Bridge Game Rules
The bridge card game rules are as follows:
- The player to the declarer's left leads the first card to the first trick. Players must follow suit if possible; otherwise, they can play any card.
- The highest card of the suit led wins the trick unless a trump is played. If a trump is played, the highest trump card wins the trick.
- After the opening lead, the dummy's hand is placed face-up on the table. The declarer plays their and the dummy's hands, but the dummy has no say.
- After all tricks are played, the declarer's side scores points based on the number of tricks they took and the contract they bid.
- The scoring in the bridge is based on the number of tricks a partnership takes in a hand and any additional bonuses or penalties. The scoring varies depending on the contract (trump suit, no-trump, or doubled contracts) and the success or failure of the declarer.
- The game is usually played to a pre-determined number of points (commonly 100 or 200). The first partnership to reach or exceed this point total wins the game.
How do you bid on the Bridge card game?
Here's a detailed guide on how to bid in a bridge game:
Deal
One player shuffles the deck, and the player to their right cuts it. The dealer then distributes the cards one at a time in a clockwise direction until each player has 13 cards.
Auction
Once the deal is done in the game, players take turns in rotation, making a call starting from the dealer.
Call: A ‘call’ can be one of the four things: a bid, a double, a redouble, or a pass.
Bid: After the cards are distributed, players bid to determine the ‘contract’ for the hand. The contract specifies the number of tricks the partnership aims to take and the trump suit (or if the hand will be played in a no-trump contract).
A “bid” is when a player commits to winning several odd tricks with or without a specific Trump.
For example, if players bid one spade, they commit to winning seven tricks with spades as the Trump suit. A bid of one no Trump means they commit to winning seven tricks without a Trump suit. Seven is the highest bid possible, meaning the player contracts to win all 13 tricks.
Every new bid needs to be higher than the previous one. It must contract to win more odd tricks or the same number of weird tricks, but in a higher-ranking suit (with no Trump being the highest ranking).
A player needs to call on their turn to act and cannot change it once it's done. If a player calls out of order or tries to change their call, they would face a penalty.
The auction takes place until three players make a consecutive pass. If no bids were made, the next player deals. If there was a bid, the highest bid by a player becomes the contract, and that suit (if any) becomes the trump suit. The player who first named the contract suit becomes the declarer, while the other team become the defender. Then, the play of tricks begins!
Double: Players can “double” the last bid if an opponent bids and it has not been doubled yet.
Redouble: Players can also “redouble” the last bid if it was their team’s bid that an opponent doubled and was not previously redoubled.
Pass: A “pass” is used when the player doesn't want to try to win any tricks.
Bidding Rounds
The auction consists of bids in which players state the number of tricks and the suit or no-trump they are willing to play.
Bidding Language
Players use a specific bidding language to communicate information about their hands, including the number of cards in a suit, their overall strength, and distribution.
Passing
A player may pass if they don't want to bid. The bidding continues until three consecutive players pass.
Final Bid
The final bid becomes the contract for the hand. The player who makes the final bid becomes the declarer, and their partner is the dummy.
How do you keep scores in the Bridge game?
In Bridge, players can keep score, but it's usually more effective for one team member. Scores are recorded on a score sheet or a bridge block, with the team keeping score labelled “We” on the left side and the opponents as “They” on the right. The trick score is noted below a horizontal line, while the honour score is placed above it.
- The declaring side's goal is to fulfil their contract, which earns them bonuses based on the contract suit for each odd trick won (trick beyond six).
- Diamonds and clubs score 20 points per additional trick, and hearts and spades earn 30 points.
- In no-trump contracts, the first extra trick is worth 40 points, with subsequent tricks scoring 30 points each.
- Points won from tricks included in the contract go into the trick score, while overtricks are added to the honour score.
- If a contract is doubled, trick points below the line are doubled as well, and overtricks yield 100 points if the declaring side is not vulnerable and 200 points if they are.
- Redoubled contracts further double these values, and completing a doubled or redoubled contract grants a 50-point bonus (100 for redoubled).
- When a team reaches 100 trick points below the line, they win that game, and a new line is drawn to signify the game's end before starting fresh.
- Only trick scores get counted to calculate the game total.
- To win the rubber, a team needs two-game victories. If the opponents haven’t won any games, they earn 700 points, or 500 points if they have.
- The winner is determined by adding trick and honour points, with the difference typically rounded to the nearest 100.
- After each rubber, partners, seating, and dealing may change.
- A team that wins a game is deemed vulnerable. It faces higher penalties for undertricks but receives larger bonuses for overtricks and slams. Vulnerability can also depend on rotation.
- In case a declarer fails to stand by the contract, by every point the declarer is short, their opponents get extra points.
Underscore penalties in the Bridge Card Game |
||||||
If the declarer was not vulnerable |
If the declarer was vulnerable | |||||
undoubled |
doubled |
redoubled |
undoubled |
doubled |
redoubled |
|
First undertrick |
50 |
100 |
200 |
100 |
200 |
400 |
Each subsequent undertrick |
50 |
200 |
400 |
100 |
300 |
600 |
Honour cards in the trump suit (ace, king, queen, jack, and ten) provide extra points. Holding four honours scores 100 points, while five honours or all four aces in a no-trump contract scores 150 points.
To achieve a small slam (six), the team receives a bonus of 500 points if not vulnerable or 750 if vulnerable. A grand slam (winning all seven tricks) earns 1,000 points if not vulnerable and 1,500 if they are. If a team bids six but wins only six tricks, they score the small-slam bonus plus one for an overtrick. However, if they bid seven and fall short, the opponents score a penalty.
If a player leaves before a rubber is completed and no substitute is available, the team with the game scores 300 points, while the team with a partial score (less than 100 points) earns 50 points.
Variations of Bridge Card Game
Here are some notable variations of the game -
Rubber Bridge
Rubber Bridge is played in two phases, each referred to as a ‘rubber’—the first partnership to score 100 or more points. The first side to win two out of three rubbers wins the game.
Duplicate Bridge
Duplicate Bridge is a competitive game where different players or partnerships play the same hands. The goal is to compare the performance of each pair with others who played the same hands.
Chicago (Four-Deal Bridge)
Chicago Bridge is played over four deals, with scoring after each deal. The game aims to accommodate players with limited time, making it suitable for social gatherings.
The Development of the Game
Bridge's card game started as a version of whist, a three-player game. A dummy hand was used when only three people were available to play. A game similar to Bridge is called Khedive, which was played in Constantinople before 1870 and later in Greece and on the French Riviera, where it was known as biritch.
A pamphlet in 1887 described this game, which closely resembled what we now know as Bridge. Although some players resisted switching from Whist to Bridge, thinking it was less scientific, they soon realised that showing the dummy hand made the game more precise and skilful.
By the 1890s, serious players had to switch from whist to Bridge, even though they were initially strongly against it. Bridge also became popular with both men and women and gained popularity among the wealthy, though other games like euchre remained more common among the general public.
Duplicate and Tournament Bridge
Bridge is a card game played in rubber, Chicago, and duplicate styles. Rubber is the most casual form, played among four friends. Chicago is used in small parties where players play with and against many others quickly, since each game has only four deals. Duplicate bridge is used in competitions and tournaments.
In duplicate bridge, different groups of players play the same set of cards, so their results can be compared fairly. The cards are placed in trays called duplicate boards, which are passed from one table to another.
Scoring is different; points depend on how well a team plays the identical cards compared to others. Bridge tournaments became popular in the U.S. in the early 1900s and spread across Europe later. Over time, big organisations like the American Contract Bridge League and the World Bridge Federation were created to run national and international events. The game also joined other mind games like chess and Go in efforts to be recognised alongside Olympic sports.
The strategy of contract bridge
In contract bridge, the aim is to score as many points as possible while limiting your opponents' scores. Playing well requires skill, strategy, experience, and an understanding of the game to win over your opponents.
There are general rules, known as systems, that are helpful for casual players to perform almost as well as experts. Here are the three key factors used in contract bridge:
- Valuation: You know you are up for a risk when you bid. There are penalties if you cannot meet the contract you bid for. So, you need to evaluate how many tricks your hand can realistically win.
- Strategy: When you make a bid, your aim should be to help your partner understand your hand without revealing too much about your approach to your opponents. A bid defeats its purpose if the information shared is more helpful to the opponents than to their partners. Therefore, each bid should be designed to inform the bidder’s partner to the extent necessary while not revealing information from the opponents.
- Information: Contract Bridge is played in a team of two. Each player must communicate their hand strength to the other. Once they understand each other’s hands, they can decide the best contract for their combined hands. Players are expected to communicate through the cards they play.
Bridge problems
In Bridge, players often improve their skills by studying puzzles called double-dummy problems, where all the cards are visible. These puzzles are great practice and have helped you play strategically, which was difficult even in older games like whist.
One famous move from whist is the Great Vienna Coup, which even experts struggled with, but now average bridge players can manage similar plays. A common trick in these puzzles is the squeeze, where a defender is forced to throw away a good card, giving the opponent an advantage. Other smart plays include the throw-in and trump pickup. A classic example is the Whitfeld Six, a tricky puzzle from 1885 in which each player has six cards. With smart planning, South can win all the tricks, no matter what the defenders do.
Another famous play is the Vienna Coup, where a high card is played early, even if it looks wasteful to trap the defenders later. These clever moves are now an exciting part of bridge and help players win by thinking ahead.
Tips & Tricks
Communication
- Use the bidding phase to convey information about your hand to your partner.
Learn and use the following standard bidding conventions to convey specific information about your hand to your partner:
Stayman: This is used after a partner's 1NT opening to inquire about the presence of a major suit (hearts or spades).
Jacoby Transfer: This is used in response to a partner's 1NT opening to show a long suit in either hearts or spades, using a transfer bid.
Gerber: This is used to ask for information about the number of aces after a no-Trump bid.
Hand Evaluation
- Understand the point count system for hand evaluation. Count high card points (HCP) and distribution points.
- Evaluate your hand based on its playing strength, considering factors like long suits, short suits, and intermediate cards.
Opening Leads
- Consider leading from a long suit, especially if you have a sequence of honours. It can help establish your side's long suit.
- If you hold an honour sequence in an opponent's suit, leading the top card of the sequence can disrupt their communication.
Observe the table
- Keep track of the cards played, especially in the trump suit. Knowing the distribution of the remaining cards can help you make informed decisions.
- Pay attention to the cards your opponents play during the early tricks to infer the distribution of the suits.
Trump Management
Manage your trumps wisely. Don't waste high trumps early in the hand unless it's necessary.
Consider leading trumps to weaken the opponents' long suits and prevent them from establishing their winners.
Defensive Play
- Lead with your longest suit when defending, but be cautious about leading away from honours if your opponents have bid that suit.
- Signal clearly to your partner using standard signals like attitude, count, and suit preference.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you play the card game bridge?
Bridge is a four-player card game played in partnerships. It involves bidding, trump suits, and strategic play to fulfil contracts.
Is bridge difficult to learn?
While Bridge has depth and strategy, learning is not inherently difficult. With practice and an understanding of the rules, players can gradually master the nuances of Bridge.
Can two people play bridge?
No, Bridge is designed for four players in two partnerships. The game relies on partner interaction, which makes it unsuitable for a two-player format.
Is 500 the same as a bridge?
No, 500 and Bridge are card games with different rules and gameplay, but they both involve trick-taking and are played with partners.
What is the objective of the bridge card game?
The objective of the bridge card game is to win as many tricks as possible based on the contract they bid.
Conclusion
Bridge is a game of coordination, partnership understanding, and strategic thinking. Various websites and apps offer the opportunity to play bridge against opponents from all over the country. You can play
Bridge online in any of the formats mentioned above. As you play more, you will become familiar with the strategic aspects of bidding and playing the cards, making the game even more enjoyable.