How to Play Bridge

Bridge is one of the great classic card games, having evolved from the game of Whist. It was "created" in the late 1890s, and a set of Rules was devised in 1904. This game was originally entitled "Auction Bridge." The modern game (1925) is credited to Howard S. Vanderbilt, a card game pioneer who made innovations to the original game and added features such as "Vulnerability" and the standard scoring system. Bridge was then promoted by dedicated players including Charles Goren, Eli Culbertson and Samuel Stayman, to name just a few. Many of the great players have bidding or carding conventions named after them. The ACBL (American Contract Bridge League) is the official governing body in North America. In this article, we will be given a step by step introduction to basic or beginner Bridge.

This is the introduction of a series. Future articles (and there are 10 in the preliminary series) will detail each aspect of the game.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A well-lighted and ventilated room
• A card-size table
• A pencil and blank pieces of paper
• Two standard decks of cards
• Four players

Bridge Basics

1. LESSON 1 - HOW TO EVALUATE A BRIDGE HAND
   
   Learning the point count system (designed by Charles Goren and often called "Standard American" bidding) - We will explore the Point Coint System, (High Card Points / "HCP") and recognize the value of distributional features. (Voids, Singeletons, and Doubletons)

2. LESSON 2 - BIDDING SUITS (FIRST ROUND)
   
   Suit bidding (opening hands at the "1" level) - The power of Major (Spades and Hearts) suits will be reviewed. "Presenting" your hand to partner will guide him to his response.

3. LESSON 3 - NO TRUMP - (ALTERNATIVE TO SUIT BIDS)
   
   No Trump bidding (opening bids and requirements) - This lesson focuses on the power of the opening 1 NT bid, and the HCP needed. It also reviews the importance of selecting a 5 card Major suit as the preferred opening bid.

4. LESSON 4 - FIRST TIME RESPONSES
   
   Responding to partner's opening bid - The need to find a suit "fit" is discussed in detail. The power of the 5-3 or 4-4 Major suit combination between partner and you will be reviewed. Alternative responses (new suit or NT) will be explained.

5. LESSON 5 - TWO AND THREE LEVEL OPENING BIDS
   
   "Powerhouse" and unusual hands - Occasionally, you will served a massive hand with 20+ HCP. The opening two bid caters to these hands. In addition, opening "pre - emptive" (3 level) bids (7 card suits, and less than 11 HCP) will be examined.

6. LESSON 6 - CHANGING SUITS / FIRST ROUND OF BIDDING
   
   What to do when you cannot support your partners' first bid - Here, we discuss those hands which have the values to respond, and the need to show your own suit. Also, we review the choice of No Trump as a possible contract.

7. LESSON 7 - HOW TO OPEN AND RAISE NO TRUMP BIDS
   
   Reaching for game contracts - In this lesson, the value of "Game" is covered. Finding a Major Suit "fit" via the Blackwood Convention is detailed. The importance of distribution, and when to settle for a NT contract is explained.

8. LESSON 8 - DEFENSIVE BIDDING
   
   How to compete in the auction - We will cover the concept of interfering with the opponents' bids, and providing partner with information regarding sacrificing and taking advantage of favorable Vulnerability.

9. LESSON 9 - TAKE OUT DOUBLES
   
   Showing a strong hand after the opponents have opened the bidding - We want to tell partner of the possibility of competing in the auction. In addition, our Double allows for the exploraion of our own Major Suit fit.

10. LESSON 10 - SLAM (6 AND 7 LEVEL) BIDDING
    
    Partner and you have a combined 33 + HCP hand, with a solid suit fit (preferably Spades or Hearts), or NT intentions. The use of Conventions and reponses are explained. Slam bids have a bonus scoting Premiums to reward those pairs who utilize accurate bidding systems.

Tips & Warnings

• If you know a person who plays Bridge, ask him/her to teach you some of the basics and to help familiarize you with the game.
• Learning as a team (partnership) is ideal. You will have to be patient.
• Check out the game of Bridge on the Internet.
• Each step will require time. Learn the game in an orderly process.
• Bridge may become habit-forming and addicting!