BRIDGE

  • Game Type: Rummy
  • Age: 12+
  • Players: 2+
  • The pack: 52 card deck

OBJECT OF THE GAME

Bridge, also known as Contract Bridge, is the ultimate trick-taking card game played by several worldwide. The objective of the game is to win the maximum number of bids, score points, and emerge as the master of the game. Given its nature, Bridge is more than just a simple pastime; it requires skill, strategy, and a bit of luck to succeed. 

The traditional way to play Bridge involves all players seated around a table, with the cards laid out and the tricks unfolding one after another. Today, even Bridge card game online versions are available on websites and mobile applications. Bridge remains one of the most competitive card games in any mode of play, requiring you to be at your best to win. 

This blog explains how do you play Bridge and every hand of it:  

How do you set up the Bridge game

Setting up the Bridge game is quite simple.  

To set up the game, one needs a standard deck of 52 playing cards.  

The game is played between four players, who are grouped into two teams. This means each team will have two card players. One team is called the declarer and dummy, while the other team is called the defenders. The roles of the declarer, dummy, and defender are explained in detail later in the blog. Continue reading for all details.  

Other than 4 card players, a dealer is appointed for the Bridge game. The dealer is responsible for distributing the cards among the players and overseeing the game.  

The dealer distributes 13 cards to each player. The dealer does not hand over all 13 cards at once. But rather he distributes the cards to each player one by one. He begins by distributing the cards to the player on his left and continues in a clockwise direction. During distribution all cards are face-down. 

How do you bid on the Bridge card game? 

In the Bridge card game, once all cards are dealt, each player raises their hands and makes a call. In a basic sense, a "call" refers to a card player's decision on how they wish to proceed with the game. The game’s dealer makes the first call and is followed by the rest. 

 

 

 

 

A card player can make the following types of calls in the Bridge game:  

Pass 

  • A card player makes no bid when they call – pass.  
  • As the name suggests, pass means the card player passed the responsibility of calling a bid to the next player in the game.  

Bidding 

  • When a card player calls for a bid, they state the number of tricks they need to win to win the hand.  
  • The lowest possible bid is 1. It involves 7 tricks in total.  
  • The highest possible bid is 7. It involves 13 tricks in total, which is the maximum number of tricks to be played in a hand.  
  • Furthermore, a card player can place two types of bids – Trump suit and No-Trump suit.  
  • In the Trump suit, the card player mentions the suit name in the bid.  
  • On the contrary, in the No-Trump suit, the card player does not mention the suit name in the bid.  
  • Note: The Trump suit is stronger than any suit in the play. This means that the Trump suit cards can win over the cards of any other suit.  

Overcalling a bid 

  • Overcalling a bid refers to making a bid that offers to win a greater number of tricks than that mentioned in the previous bid.  
  • For example, if a player previously bid to win the hand in 6 tricks, he can overcall by bidding to win the hand in 8 tricks in the current round. 
  • Alternatively, a card player can overcall a bid by bidding the same number of tricks but with a higher suit or No-Trump.  
  • For example, if a player had previously bid to win the hand in 8 tricks, he can overcall by bidding to win the hand in 8 tricks but with a no-Trump suit.  
  • Note: Here, the No-Trump suit cards rank higher than all suits.  

Double 

  • Double or doubling is a bidding strategy where a card player can double the bid made by the opponent.  
  • This increases the stakes for the opponent, putting pressure on them to win.  
  • For example, if the opponent bids 2 Spades, the other card player can double it to 4 Spades by bidding.  

Redouble  

  • Redouble or redoubling is another master bidding move where in the opponent can double the bid made by the former card player.  
  • This further increases the stakes, putting pressure on the former card player to win.  
  • For example, if a former card player bids 2 Clubs, the opponent can double it to 4 Clubs by bidding.  

Overcalling double and redouble 

  • Like overcalling a bid, a card player can overcall a double or redouble by placing a bid with a higher trick number or with the same trick number but a No-Trump suit.  

Final bid 

  • In the card game Bridge, the bidding ends when three consecutive passes are made after a bid, double, or redouble. This leads the card players to make one final bid.  
  • The final bid is the contract in which the card player must mention the final number of tricks that must be won to win the game. They must also mention the Trump suit or the No-Trump suit.  

What is the role of the declarer, dummy, and defender in the Bridge cards game

As mentioned, the Bridge cards game can be played between 4 card players. The players are grouped into two teams. This means each team has 2 card players.  One team acts as the declarer and dummy, while the other team takes on the role of the defender. Following is a more detailed explanation of this:  

Declarer 

  • The card player who makes the first bid in the game, be it Trump suit or No-Trump, is the declarer. Their action declares the beginning of the game.  
  • The declarer tries to fulfil their final bid (contract) by winning the required number of tricks.  
  • The declarer actively plays his bridge by playing cards in the game.  
  • Once the declarer plays the cards in his hands, they are considered to be played.  
  • The declarer can also name the card they intend to play. However, note that these cards must be played during the course of the game without fail.  

 Dummy  

  • The declarer’s partner is known as a dummy.  
  • The dummy places its cards face-up on the table after the opening lead so that all card players can see it.  
  • The dummy does not take an active part in the game.  
  • Hence, it does not play its own cards.  
  • The declarer plays both his and the dummy’s cards.  
  • Even if the declarer touches the dummy cards, they are considered to be played. Unless the declarer touches the cards to reshuffle them.  
  • The declarer can also name the dummy card they intend to play, and it must be played in the card game.  
  •  

Defender 

  • The two players competing with the declarer and the dummy are known as defenders.  
  • Their goal is to stop the declarer from winning the required number of tricks to win the final bid (contract).  
  • A defender plays by exposing their cards so the other defender can also see and play it.  
  • Once the defenders play a card in the game, it cannot be taken back.  
  • In fact, after the trick is complete, the played cards are turned face-down.  

Now that you have a better understanding of how to set up the game and the roles of the players, let's learn to play Bridge

How to play Bridge card game? 

The following pointers provide a simplified explanation of how the Bridge card game is played: 

  • The Bridge card game involves a number of hands.  
  • In each hand, 13 tricks are played.  
  • Furthermore, in each trick, 4 cards are played. 
  • This means each card player plays 1 card in a trick. 
  • The player who plays the first card in the trick is called the leader.  
  • The leader can start the trick with any card of their choice.  

 Opening lead  

  • As the name suggests, opening lead means the lead that opens the Bridge game.  
  • The opening lead is generally made by the card player sitting left to the declarer. 
  • As mentioned, such a card player is referred to as a leader and can play any card of their choice.  
  • The leader must mention the suit for the trick.  
  • All other card players must follow the suit by playing a card of the same suit.  
  • If the other card players do not have a card of the suit, they can play any card of their choice.  

 Dummy lays it all out. 

  • Once the opening lead is made, the dummy lays out all its 13 cards on the table. The declarer plays these cards during the game.  
  • The dummy groups cards as per suit before laying them out.  
  • He places them vertically on the table so that it is visible to all.  
  • If the Trump suit is followed, then the dummy places the cards on the left side of the declarer.  
  • On the other hand, if the No-Trump suit is played, the dummy does not follow a specific order for laying out the cards

Winning tricks 

  • If the Trump suit is followed, then the card player playing the highest-ranking card wins the trick.  
  • If the No-Trump suit is followed, then the card player playing the highest-ranking card in the suit that was led in the trick wins.  

End of the deal 

Once all the tricks in a hand are played, the scores of both teams are calculated.  

  • The declarer and dummy have been able to fulfil the required number of tricks for winning; they score points.  
  • The defenders score points if they have declarer and the dummy has failed to fulfil the required number of tricks for winning.  

 How do you keep scores in the Bridge game?  

To give you a complete understanding of how to play Bridge, you should become aware of its scoring system. All details of the same are as follows:  

  • After the 13th trick (the last trick in a hand) is played, the number of tricks each team has won is counted.  
  • Each team is rewarded points for the tricks it has won.  
  • These points are mentioned by a scorekeeper in a score sheet, which has two columns – We (the declarer and the dummy) and They (the defenders).  
  • If the declarer wins the number of tricks specified in the bid, they are rewarded 1 point for each winning trick. 
  • When the declarer wins more tricks than that specified in the bid, they are known as overtricks.  
  • Overtricks are scored as premium points, which are written above the line on the score sheet. 
  • To win a Bridge card game, a team needs to score 100 points or more below the line.  
  • As 100 points are attained in the game, the scorekeeper draws a horizontal line on the score sheet showing the game is one and on to the next one.  
  • After winning the game, the side becomes vulnerable. They are subject to higher penalties to make a bid but get large bonuses for successful bids.  
  • As per the Bridge card game rules, the goal is to win two games to win the rubber (overall match), and the team with the most points wins the rubber. 

Honours 

  • Honors refers to the top cards in the Trump suit.  
  • The top cards are – Ace, King, Queen, Jack, and the number card 10.  
  • If a player holds 4 of the 5 mentioned cards, they score 100 points above the line.  
  • If a player holds all 5 mentioned cards, they score 150 points above the line.  
  • However, in case a No-Trump suit is followed, the player must hold 4 Aces to earn 150 points.  

Slam bonuses 

  • Winning 12 tricks in a hand is known as a small slam.  
  • Winning 13 tricks in a hand is known as a grand slam.  
  • Wining small or grand slam earns the card player a premium bonus.  
  • Naturally, the premium bonus for winning a grand slam is higher than that of a small slam.  

Double or redouble contracts 

  • When a card player wins a double or redouble contract, they score a premium bonus.  
  • However, note the number of points associated with Honors and Slam remains the same.  

Unfinished rubber 

  • If the rubber isn’t finished, the side that has one game gets a 300-point bonus. 
  • If only one side has a part score, they get a 100-point bonus. 

Back score 

  • After each rubber, a back score is used to express a player’s total score.  
  • It is mentioned in hundreds of points.  
  • It is entered separately on the score sheet and titled back score.  

Wrapping up 

The Bridge card game is the most interesting card game that puts your skill, strategic thinking, and luck to the test. The objective of the game is to win the maximum number of tricks, score points, and emerge victorious. Properly setting up the game, adhering to the Bridge rules, and accurately keeping score is essential for fair play.

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