If you want to learn the basics of bridge card games, this is the perfect place to learn. Here, we have simplified the complexities of the card game for you.
So, check out this article to understand its rules and techniques to play the game to win. Here, you will also read how this is different from the poker game. So, let’s get started…
First off, let’s understand what the bridge game is. Here we go…
What Exactly is a Bridge Card Game?
The bridge game (contract bridge) is one of the most popular trick-and-draw card games that is played across the world.
Four players play this game. Interestingly, all four players split into two competitive teams and play this game using a 52-card deck.
They earn points by bidding and playing. Nevertheless, every team must devise their own strategic moves in order to secure victory in the game.
At the end of the game, the team that scores the most wins the game. Let’s now learn how to play bridge card game…
How to Play Bridge Game
Deal the Cards
First things first, cards are shuffled prior to dealing. Each player is deal with 13 cards.
Bid a Suit
The dealer calls the first bid of the game of Bridge. The bid can be a trump suit as this is the most powerful bid. Conversely, the dealer or player can make a no-trump bid. This simply implies that there is no trump suit.
The lowest bid in the game is one and the highest bid is seven. A trick is the total number of cards that players have. As said earlier, each player is dealt with 13 cards.
This means that he has 13 tricks or cards to play. As per the rule of the bridge game, the team should win six tricks in order to win the game.
So, when the team is required to tell the total number of tricks it can expect to win, they should do it this way: Bid + 6. Suppose the bid is Hearts 2; then the number of tricks that the team can expect to win is 8 (2+6= 8).
Also See: Pinochle Card Game Rules And How to Play
Doubling and Redoubling of Bid
The player should double the last preceding bid made by the opponent team. Likewise, they can redouble the last preceding double bid of the opponent.
Game Phases
The game consists of a bidding phase, where players bid for the number of tricks they expect to take, and the play phase, where they try to fulfill their bid.
The goal is to achieve a higher score than the opposing partnership by successfully fulfilling the bid and winning tricks.
The Highest Bid Wins the Game
When players keep bidding double or redouble until three consecutive passes, then, the bidding is declared closed. The team that calls the highest bid becomes the winner and the players of that team become dummies for the hand.
On the flip side, the opponent team’s players become defenders who try to prevent the bidding team from raising the highest bid.
Let’s now take a look at the rules of the bridge card game. Here we go…
Bridge Game Rules
Four players participate in this game, divided into teams of two.
- Each player is dealt with thirteen cards.
- One team is the declarer/dummy team while the other team is the defender team.
- The declarer calls the trump suit, and then, each team decides the number of expected winning tricks.
- The player sitting right side to the declarer is the defender who plays the first card (or trick). Other players have to play tricks of the same suit. If any player does not have the card of the same suit, he can play the Trump suit or any other card of another suit.
- After the first trick, the dummy places face-up cards on the tableau, and then, the declarer decides on all strategic moves for the team. However, the defenders of the opponent team do not reveal their cards.
- The player who wins the first trick opens up the next trick and, in this way, the game continues until any team wins 6 tricks.
By now, you should have a good grasp of the rules of the Bridge Game. However, many of you must be wondering which game is better poker or Bridge. So, if you also have the same question, then read the upcoming section. Read on!
Poker vs Bridge
Here is a detailed comparison between the two most popular card games. Take a look…
Cards
The poker card is played without a joker. On the other hand, players play bridge games with jokers. The most distinguishing feature is that jokers are used as wild cards in the bridge game.
Size
Yes, you read that right. There is a difference in size between poker cards and bridge cards. The dimensions of the poker card are 2 ½ inches by 3 ½. However, the dimensions of the bridge card are 2 ¼ inches by 3 ¼.
Game Objective
The goal of the face card is to make a hand combination with face-up cards and community cards. Whereas, the main objective of Bridge game is to score points by bidding and winning tricks.
Each player needs to achieve a higher score than the opposing partnership by successfully fulfilling the bid and winning tricks.
Cards Dealing
In the poker game, the cards are dealt in a clockwise direction. The number of cards that are dealt out depends on the game’s variant that you have chosen.
Whereas the number of cards dealt out in the bridge game is fixed, that is, 13 cards. All the 13 cards are dealt out to each player in a specific pattern.
Putting it all together…
So, this is all about the rules of playing the Bridge game. Get accustomed to these rules and try implementing robust strategies to win this game of cards.
This trick card game is a highly strategic and social game that people love to play all around the world. This card game requires skill, strategy, and teamwork to win.
By understanding its rules and mastering the phases of bidding and play, you can be sure of winning this game effortlessly.
The sole objective of the bridge card game is to accurately bid and win tricks to win as a team while preventing the opposing team from achieving their goals.
Whether played casually or competitively, the game of Bridge offers endless opportunities for intellectual stimulation and enjoyment, making it the most favorite card game.
Happy Gaming… 😊 😊