Contract Bridge

đź“Ś Quick Info

  • Name of the Game: Contract Bridge
  • Number of Players: 4 (in two fixed partnerships)
  • Decks Required: 1 Standard 52-card deck (no Jokers)

🎯 Objective

To win as many tricks as possible and fulfill the contract bid by your team after a competitive bidding phase. The game is played in two phases: bidding and playing.

🛠️ What You Need

  • 1 standard deck of 52 cards
  • 4 players split into two partnerships (North–South vs East–West)
  • Score sheet or electronic bridge scorer
  • Table with designated positions: North, South, East, West

🔄 How to Play – Step by Step

▶️ 1. Deal

  • Each player receives 13 cards.
  • Players sit opposite their partners.

▶️ 2. Bidding Phase (Auction)

  1. Players take turns clockwise to bid the number of tricks their team will take (beyond the first six) and the trump suit.
  2. Bids increase in value or suit ranking. Possible suits: ♣ < ♥ < ♠ < NT (No Trump).
  3. The final bid becomes the “contract.”
  4. The team that wins the contract tries to fulfill it; the other team defends.

▶️ 3. Play Phase

  1. The player to the left of the declarer makes the first lead.
  2. The dummy (declarer’s partner) lays down their hand face-up.
  3. The declarer plays both their own hand and dummy’s cards.
  4. Each player must follow suit if possible. The highest card in the led suit wins unless a trump card is played.

▶️ 4. Scoring

  • If the declarer’s team wins the contract tricks, they score positive points.
  • If not, defenders score penalty points.

🧠 Example

  • Contract: 3♥ (i.e., win 9 tricks with hearts as trump)
  • North is the declarer; South is dummy.
  • East leads with â™ K. South places all cards face up on the table.
  • Declarer uses strategy to win at least 9 of the 13 tricks.

đź“ś Rules Summary

  • 13 tricks are played each round.
  • Players must follow the led suit if possible.
  • Trump suits beat any card from other suits.
  • Points vary depending on contracts made, doubled, or failed.

⚙️ Optional / House Rules

  • Chicago Bridge: Played over 4 deals instead of a rubber (quick game format).
  • Scoring variations: Rubber scoring vs duplicate scoring can be agreed upon before starting.

đź“š History & Origin

  • Evolved from Whist in the 19th century.
  • Modern form created in 1925 by Harold S. Vanderbilt.
  • Contract Bridge replaced Auction Bridge by the 1930s.
  • One of the most played partnership card games in clubs and tournaments worldwide.
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