Embarking on the journey to Learn To Play Bridge? Like any specialized field, bridge comes with its own unique vocabulary. Understanding bridge terminology is crucial for grasping the rules, strategies, and nuances of this captivating card game. This comprehensive guide breaks down essential bridge terms, making your learning experience smoother and more enjoyable. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to solidify your understanding, this glossary will serve as your indispensable companion in the world of bridge.
Essential Bridge Terms for Beginners
ACBL. This stands for the American Contract Bridge League, the primary governing body for contract bridge in North America. If you’re learning to play bridge in the US, ACBL resources and sanctioned games are key parts of the bridge community.
Ace. The highest-ranking card in each suit. In bridge, Aces are crucial for both bidding and taking tricks. Learning to count Aces is one of the first steps when you learn to play bridge.
Auction. The bidding process in bridge, where players verbally bid to determine the contract and declarer. Understanding the auction is fundamental when you learn to play bridge as it sets the stage for the entire hand.
Balanced Hand. A hand distribution that is generally even, typically with 4-3-3-3, 4-4-3-2, or 5-3-3-2 shape. Balanced hands are often suitable for notrump contracts, an important concept to learn when you learn to play bridge.
Bid. An offer to contract for a specific number of tricks in a particular suit or notrump. Bidding is the core communication method in bridge, and learning different bidding conventions is a continuous process as you learn to play bridge.
Blackwood. A conventional bid used to ask partner how many aces they hold. Blackwood is a slam-seeking tool and understanding it is vital as you progress in learning to play bridge.
Board. (1) The set of 52 cards dealt for one particular deal in duplicate bridge. (2) The physical board or tray that holds the cards in duplicate bridge, ensuring the same hands are played at multiple tables. Duplicate bridge is a popular format to learn to play bridge competitively.
Bonus. Extra points awarded for achieving slams, overtricks, or for honors. Bonuses contribute significantly to your score, and learning about bonus points adds another layer to understanding bridge scoring.
Bridge Bucks. Financial certificates issued by the ACBL, often used as prizes in tournaments. While not directly related to gameplay, understanding Bridge Bucks is relevant if you are learning to play bridge competitively and participate in ACBL events.
Chicago. A variation of rubber bridge, typically played by four players, often when time is limited. Chicago is a quicker way to learn to play bridge compared to longer rubber bridge sessions.
Club. The lowest-ranking suit in bridge. Clubs are one of the four suits you’ll encounter when you learn to play bridge.
Contract. The final bid that becomes the undertaking for declarer to fulfill. The contract determines the number of tricks declarer needs to win and the trump suit (or notrump). Understanding how contracts are formed is central to learning to play bridge.
Convention Card. A card used in duplicate bridge tournaments to outline a partnership’s bidding system and conventions. As you learn to play bridge more seriously, you’ll encounter convention cards and the need to understand your partner’s bidding system.
Conventions. Agreed-upon bidding meanings beyond natural bids, designed to improve partnership communication and bidding accuracy. Learning bridge conventions is an advanced stage of learning to play bridge, but fundamental for competitive play.
Count. Keeping track of the number of cards played in each suit. Card counting, particularly in key suits, is a crucial skill to develop as you learn to play bridge.
Cuebid. A bid in an opponent’s suit, often used to show a control (ace or king) in that suit or to agree on a trump suit. Cuebids are important tools in advanced bidding strategies that you will learn as you progress.
Declarer. The player who makes the final contract and plays both their hand and the dummy’s hand. Becoming a skilled declarer is a major part of learning to play bridge well.
Defense. The play by the two opponents of the declarer, aiming to defeat the contract. Learning defensive strategies is just as important as declarer play when you learn to play bridge.
Diamond. The second-lowest ranking suit in bridge. Diamonds are another of the four suits to master as you learn to play bridge.
Discard. Playing a card that is not of the suit led and is not a trump. Discarding strategically is vital in both declarer play and defense. Learning when and what to discard is a key element of skillful bridge play.
Distribution. The breakdown of cards in a hand by suit, described by the number of cards in each suit (e.g., 4-3-3-3). Hand distribution significantly impacts bidding and play. Understanding hand distribution is crucial as you learn to play bridge.
Double. A call that increases the penalties if the doubled contract is defeated, or increases bonuses if the doubled contract is made. Knowing when to double and when to redouble is a strategic element to learn.
Dummy. The declarer’s partner’s hand, exposed face-up on the table after the opening lead. The declarer plays both their own hand and the dummy. Understanding how to effectively use the dummy is essential for successful declarer play.
Duplicate Bridge. The most common form of competitive bridge, where the same deals are played at multiple tables, allowing for direct comparison of scores. Duplicate bridge is a great way to learn to play bridge competitively and measure your skills.
East. One of the four positions at the bridge table. East and West are partners, and they oppose North and South.
Finesse. A play that attempts to win a trick with a lower-ranking card by leading towards a higher-ranking card held by partner, hoping to avoid losing to an even higher card held by the opponents. Finesses are common and crucial plays to learn as you learn to play bridge.
Game. A contract that scores 100 or more trick points. Making game is a primary objective in bridge bidding. Learning to bid and make game contracts is a core goal when you learn to play bridge.
Grand Slam. A contract to win all 13 tricks. Grand slams offer significant bonuses. Grand slams are rare and exciting contracts that you will aim for as you become more experienced.
Hearts. The second-highest ranking suit in bridge. Hearts are another of the four suits in bridge.
High-Card Points (HCP). Points assigned to high cards: Ace=4, King=3, Queen=2, Jack=1. HCP are the primary basis for evaluating hand strength in bidding. Learning to count HCP is the very first step when you learn to play bridge.
Honor Cards. Aces, Kings, Queens, Jacks, and Tens. Often referred to when discussing hand strength and bonuses.
IMP. International Match Points, a scoring method used in team games and some pairs events to convert raw scores into a scale that reduces the impact of very large scores. IMPs are crucial for competitive bridge scoring, particularly in team events.
Jack. The lowest-ranking honor card, ranking below the Queen and above the Ten. Jacks still contribute to hand strength and can win tricks.
Lead. The first card played to a trick. The opening lead is made by the defender to declarer’s left. Learning good opening leads and leads during the play is an important aspect of defensive bridge.
Loser. A card that is expected to lose a trick. Counting losers helps in planning declarer play and defensive strategy. Learning to count losers and winners is an advanced technique but very useful.
Masterpoints. Points awarded by the ACBL for success in sanctioned bridge games and tournaments. Masterpoints accumulate towards higher ranks in the ACBL. Masterpoints are the currency of competitive bridge, tracking your progress as you learn and improve.
Matchpoints. A scoring method in duplicate pairs events where each pair’s score on a board is compared to all other pairs who played the same board. Matchpoints reward outperforming other pairs. Matchpoints are a common scoring system in duplicate bridge pairs games.
North. One of the four positions at the bridge table. North and South are partners, opposing East and West.
Notrump (NT). A contract bid with no trump suit. Notrump contracts often rely on high card strength and suit stoppers. Learning to bid and play notrump contracts is essential as you learn to play bridge.
Opening Bid. The first bid of the auction. Opening bids set the stage for the auction and convey initial hand information. Learning standard opening bids is fundamental when you learn to play bridge.
Overcall. A bid made by a player after the opponents have opened the bidding. Overcalls are competitive bids aiming to disrupt the opponents’ auction.
Overtrick. Tricks won by declarer in excess of the contract. Overtricks score extra points, but are less important than making game or slam.
Pass. A call indicating a player does not wish to bid, double, or redouble at their turn. Passing is a frequent and strategic call in bridge.
Penalty. Points scored by the defenders when declarer fails to fulfill their contract. Penalties are increased if the contract is doubled or redoubled.
Point Count. Evaluating hand strength using high-card points and distributional points. Point count is a key element in bidding decisions.
Preempt. A high opening bid designed to shut out the opponents from bidding and to disrupt their auction. Preemptive bids are strategic but risky.
Queen. A high honor card, ranking below the King and above the Jack. Queens are valuable for hand strength and trick-taking.
Redouble. A call that increases the bonuses and penalties of a doubled contract. Redoubles are rare but can be very impactful.
Responder. The partner of the opening bidder. The responder’s bids are crucial for developing the auction and reaching the best contract.
revoke. Failing to follow suit when able to, an illegal play. Revokes incur penalties. Understanding and avoiding revokes is important to learn the rules of bridge correctly.
Round. In duplicate bridge, a set number of boards played against the same opponents. Tournaments are structured into rounds.
Rubber Bridge. A form of bridge played until one partnership wins two games (rubbers). Rubber bridge is often played socially and for stakes.
Ruff. Playing a trump card when unable to follow suit. Ruffing can be a trick-taking or defensive technique. Learning to ruff effectively is an important tactical skill in bridge.
Sacrifice. A bid made at a higher level than you expect to make, to prevent opponents from making a potentially larger scoring contract, even if you go down. Sacrifices are strategic bids to limit losses.
Sanction. Permission granted by the ACBL for a club or organization to run a duplicate bridge event and award masterpoints.
Score. (1) The points earned in a bridge hand, rubber, or session. (2) To record the points. Understanding bridge scoring is essential to know how well you are doing.
Score Pad. A paper pad used to record scores in rubber bridge or Chicago.
Scoreslip. A slip of paper used in duplicate bridge to record the results of each board at a table.
Screen. A physical barrier sometimes used in high-level bridge to prevent inadvertent communication between partners.
Seat. The position a player occupies at the bridge table (North, South, East, West).
Second Hand. (1) The player to the left of the dealer. (2) The player who plays second to a trick.
Secondary Honors. Queens and Jacks, considered less valuable than Aces and Kings.
Secondary Values. Queens and Jacks, also known as soft values.
Section. A group of players in a duplicate bridge tournament competing against each other.
Self-Sufficient Suit. A long and strong suit that is likely to win many tricks.
Semi-Balanced Hand. A hand with a near-balanced distribution, like 5-4-2-2 or 6-3-2-2.
Semi-Solid Suit. A suit that is almost solid, missing only one top honor card.
Sequence. Two or more cards in consecutive rank, like Q-J-10.
Session. A period of play in a bridge event.
Set. (1) A group of boards. (2) Defeating a contract. (3) A regular partnership.
Set Game. A pre-arranged bridge match between two partnerships.
Set Up. To develop a suit to win tricks.
Set-Up Suit. An established suit of winning tricks.
Seven-Odd. 13 tricks in total.
Shade, Shaded. A bid made with slightly less than the minimum point requirements.
Shape. Hand distribution.
Shift. Changing suit, either on defense or by declarer.
Short Hand. The hand with fewer trumps.
Short Suit. A suit with two or fewer cards.
Shorten. To force an opponent to ruff, reducing their trump count.
Show. To indicate hand features through bidding.
Show Out. To fail to follow suit, usually due to being void in that suit.
Side Game Series. A multi-session event with awards for each session and overall performance.
Side Suit. A suit other than the trump suit or the initially bid suit.
Silver Points. Masterpoints awarded at sectional tournaments.
Simple. Non-jump bids.
Simple Finesse. A finesse for a single missing card.
Simple Honors. Three honors in the trump suit in auction bridge.
Single-Dummy Problem. A bridge problem where you know two hands and must plan the play.
Singleton. Exactly one card in a suit.
Sit, Sit For. To pass partner’s penalty double.
Sit Out. To miss a round or wait to join a game.
Sitting. A bridge session or position at the table.
Six-Odd. 12 tricks in total.
Skip Bid. A jump bid, skipping bidding levels.
Slam. A contract for 12 (small slam) or 13 (grand slam) tricks.
Sliding Box. A tray to move boards in duplicate bridge.
Sluff. To discard a losing card on a trick you expect to win.
Small Card. A low-ranking card (below Jack).
Small Slam. A contract for 12 tricks.
Social Bridge. Casual bridge played at home.
Soft Values. Queens and Jacks.
Solid Suit. A suit expected to win as many tricks as cards in the suit.
South. One of the compass points at the table.
Spades. The highest-ranking suit.
Split. The distribution of cards in a suit among opponents.
Split Equals. Playing a high card from equal cards when following suit.
Spot Card. Cards ranked from 2 to 10.
Spread. (1) To display cards to claim or concede. (2) Range of values for a bid. (3) Unbeatable contract.
Stack, Stacked. (1) Unfavorable card distribution. (2) Arranging a deck for a specific deal.
Stand, Stand For. To pass a double.
Stand Up. A high card that wins a trick.
Stick. Colloquial term for an Ace.
Stiff. (1) Singleton. (2) To discard guards.
Stop Bid. A bid intended to end the auction.
Stopper. A card or combination of cards that can stop the opponents from running a suit, especially in notrump. Learning about stoppers is crucial for notrump bidding and defense.
Stopping on a Dime. Making exactly the required tricks in a contract, especially when stopping short of game or slam.
Strain. Suit or notrump denomination.
Stratified Pairs. Pairs events divided into masterpoint strata.
Stratified Teams. Teams events divided into masterpoint strata.
Stratiflighted Pairs. Stratified pairs with a separate top flight.
Stratiflighted Teams. Stratified teams with a separate top flight.
Strength. High card holdings and trick-taking potential.
Strong Suit. A suit with good high card strength and length.
Substitute. (1) To replace an illegal call. (2) A replacement player. (3) A substitute board.
Sucker Double. A poorly judged double based only on high card strength.
Suit. One of the four card denominations: spades, hearts, diamonds, clubs.
Support. To raise partner’s bid.
Sure Trick. A trick that is guaranteed to win.
Swing. (1) Difference in scores. (2) Gain or loss in a team match.
Swish. Colloquialism for bidding followed by three passes.
Swiss Pairs. A pairs event similar to Swiss Teams.
Swiss Team. A team event where teams with similar records play each other.
Switch. Change of suit in defense.
System Fix. A bad result due to one’s bidding system.
System On (or System Off). Applying or not applying bidding conventions in specific situations.
System Violation. Deliberately deviating from agreed bidding system.
By familiarizing yourself with these terms, you’ll be well-equipped to learn to play bridge, understand bridge lessons, and communicate effectively with your bridge partner. Happy bridging!
