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Gamehelpcontractbridge
Overview
The BGA implementation for 2 players will not be covered here, because it is not bridge. However, it is played similarly to bridge, so the following may still be useful.
- Contract bridge* (4 players) is played
Each round of Contract Bridge involves two stages: bidding and playing.
In the bidding stage, the pair who bids the highest becomes the "declaring" side. In that pair, the player that bid the denomination (Suit or NoTrump) first, becomes the "Declarer" (plays for both players), and their partner becomes the "Dummy" (watches/doesn't play any more for this round). The opposing pair are called "Defenders", playing collectively against the Declarer. In the playing stage, the players play tricks until all hands are empty. The Declarer has to win a certain number of tricks to win points for the round. If the Declarer does not succeed, the Declarer fails their contract, everyone else gains points.
Bidding Calls
- Pass
- Double
- Redouble
- (from lowest to greatest) 1C, 1D, 1H, 1S, 1NT, 2C ... 7C, 7D, 7H, 7S, 7NT
Cards
Ranks (from strongest to weakest): A K Q J 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2
Bridge is played with a standard pack of 52 card. 52 suited cards (♠, ♥, ♦, ♣)
Goal
To bid to the highest making contract you can (sometimes in can be good to bid too much, in the hope to lose less than the opponents would have won - see Sacrificing in Bridge). And then win as many tricks as you can, (often making overtricks is not the focus, though you get a few more points) focusing on making your contract.
Bidding
All cards are dealt to each player (so 13 each). The "Dealer" starts, they may Pass or Bid, and we then carry on clockwise. Bidding means you set out to take *at least* a certain number of tricks:
However, you must also choose a denomination: Clubs, Diamonds, Hearts, Spades, NoTrumps. = If anyone runs out of a suit and has to discard, the suit contracted would win the trick (or NoTrumps = discarding cannot win the trick).
Scoring
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridge_scoring The scoring is somewhat complex, but you essentially win points as a pair for making your contract, and lose points (same as opponents wining points) for going down in a contract. Basically, playing in 3NT, 4H, 4S, 5C, 5D is really worth it, even if you only make 50% of the time.
Summary
Bridge is a game of Probability and Teamwork. It has endless strategic depth. There are countless books written on the game. There are innumerable bridge clubs around the world. Players have different agreements for bidding and cardplay, however, these must be disclosed to the opposition. Duplicate Bridge is played at international levels.
Have fun!