How to play Bridge

The goal

With your partner, win the number of tricks your side promised in the auction, or stop the other side from making theirs. A contract of 4♥ means 10 tricks (6 + 4) with hearts as trumps.

Setting up

• Partners sit across: North-South against East-West. Deal 13 cards to each player.
• Count your high-card points: Ace 4, King 3, Queen 2, Jack 1. The deck holds 40.
• Suits rank ♣ < ♦ < ♥ < ♠, and No Trump (NT) ranks above them all in the auction.

A turn, step by step

1. 1

   The auction. Starting with the dealer, each player bids (a level 1 to 7 and a suit or NT), passes, doubles or redoubles. Each bid must be higher than the last.

2. 2

   The contract. Three passes in a row end the auction. The last bid is the contract; the player who first named its suit is the declarer.

3. 3

   Opening lead. The player to the declarer's left leads the first card.

4. 4

   Dummy. The declarer's partner lays their cards face up and sits out: the declarer plays both hands.

5. 5

   Tricks. Follow suit if you can. The highest card of the suit led wins, unless a trump is played.

6. 6

   Score. Make the contract and score; fail and the defenders score for each trick short. Games and slams earn big bonuses.

Beginner mistakes

✗ Opening too light

Most systems open with 12 or more high-card points. With less, pass and listen.

✗ Bidding alone

Bridge is a conversation: your partner's bids tell you about their hand. Use them.

✗ Playing before planning

As declarer, count your sure tricks before playing to the first trick.

✗ Leaving trumps out

When you have the trumps, draw the opponents' trumps early so they can't ruff your winners.

Three real situations. Pick a move, then read why it works.

Frequently asked questions