How to Count Points in Bridge Bidding

Count points for the high cards in your hand.

The bidding process in a bridge game determines the playing terms for each deal. A bridge contract names one of the suits as trump, or settles on a no-trump contract. Players describe their cards to each other by using a point-count bidding system. Charles Goren developed the system to help players evaluate the strength of their hands. The point-count system adds quantitative information to the bidding process, helping you paint an accurate picture of your deal.

Instructions

1. Count your high-card points. Each suit contains 10 points. Each ace counts as four points, each king counts as three points, each queen counts as two points and each jack counts as one point.

2. Add distribution points to your high-card points to account for long suits. Add one point for a five-card suit, two points for a six-card suit, three points for a seven-card suit and four points for an eight-card suit.

3. Bid one in your longest suit if you hold 13 total points in your hand. If your hand is balanced over all four suits with at least two cards of each suit, bid one no-trump to open if you have 15 to 17 high-card points. Do not count distribution points when you bid no-trump.

4. Respond to your partner's opening bid if you hold six points or more. Add your points to those indicated by your partner's opening bid. For example, if you hold seven points and your partner bid one heart, you know that you hold at least 20 points between you.

5. Count your hand's points again if you can support your partner's trump bid with three or more cards. Add three points to your high-card points if you have a void in a suit, add two points if you have a single-card suit and add one point for a double-card suit. Ignore all distribution points for a no-trump bid.

6. Bid for a game in hearts, spades or no-trump if you and your partner hold 26 points between you. Bid for a game in clubs or diamonds if you hold 29 points together. To bid for a slam, intending to take 12 or 13 tricks, you should count at least 33 points or more.

Tips & Warnings

• The American Contract Bridge League uses a modified version of Goren's original bidding system. Some players still bid using Goren's original point count and distribution points. Discuss your bidding system with your partner and agree on basic point ranges.

• Your opponents will evaluate their chances to defeat you by your bidding. They may throw in a competitive bid to throw you off your game plan.

References

• "Contract Bridge for Beginners"; Charles H. Goren; 1953
• American Contract Bridge League: How to Play Bridge

Resources

• UCRiverside: Bridge Bidding