Bridge | Learn How to Play the Game of Bridge
The game of bridge is one of the most popular card games in the world, played by millions worldwide. Bridge has been played for hundreds of years and today’s version of bridge is known as ‘contract bridge’. The game is played by two teams consisting of two players, however, tournaments can be set up to allow for multiple teams. Learning how to play bridge requires some practice but here are the basic rules and terms which will allow you to get familiar with the game of bridge.
How to play bridge
A standard 52 card deck is used for play and each player is dealt 13 cards which are arranged by each player according to suit. The game consists of two stages: “bidding” and “play”. The play stage includes 13 rounds which are called “tricks”. A trick involves each player placing a card at the center of the table (thus a trick consists of four cards). The lowest card is the 2 and aces are the highest. In the game of bridge, before play can begins, players must bid to determine the contract. The contract will state the number of tricks the winning bidder (and his teammate) must win and which suit will be of highest value (“trump”- wild suit).
Bidding
In the bidding stage, players may “pass” or “bid” with “no trump” (no suit is wild) being the highest, followed by spades, hearts, diamonds and clubs. A bid will include the number of tricks plus the minimum six that the team must win and the suit that will be trump (for example: ‘3 spades’ means the team must win nine tricks with spades as trump. The highest bid is ‘7 no trump’- all 13 tricks must be won with no trumps). Bidding ends when three consecutive players pass at which point the contract is set. The player who won the bid is the “declarer”, his teammate is the “dummy”; his cards will be turned face up right after the first play and he will not take part (the declarer will play for him). The opposing side is the “defender”. The declarer and his partner must meet the contract in order to win.
Playing Bridge
A playing round (“trick”) consists of four cards, face up with the first card being the “lead”. Players must follow the suit of the lead if they have it in possession, play any card if they don’t or play a trump card if this is a trump game; the strongest card wins the trick and the four cards are placed aside next to the team who won (to keep count of tricks won).
Scoring
There is a scoring method which will determine the number of points a player has for the bidding round. For example, in the bidding round, aces are worth four, kings three, queens two and jacks one point. This is essential for making bids and determining your opening lead. Teams receive scoring during play for number of tricks won, number of tricks won above the contract, bonuses for contract type (‘7 no trump’ will reward with a high premium) and other bonuses.
Teamwork
Players cannot discuss their cards in the bidding round but they will signal to each other with respect to the number of points they have and strong suits through their bids. In the play stage, defenders will signal to each other their status by way of the opening lead. This makes the game of bridge a team game and players must work together to defend or meet the contract.
