Frequently asked questions about bridge
How do you play bridge?
Bridge is played by four people, in two partnerships. Each player is dealt 13 cards. The players first bid to set a contract (a number of tricks and a trump suit), then play 13 tricks: the declaring side must fulfill the contract, while the other side tries to defeat it.
How do you count HCP?
Ace 4 points, king 3, queen 2, jack 1. Add up the honors in your hand: the deck holds 40 points, an average hand 10. Many players add one point for each card beyond the fourth in a long suit.
What should you bid with 15 or 16 points?
With five-card majors (SEF, SAYC), a balanced hand of 15 to 17 points opens 1NT. With five or more hearts or spades, you would rather open one of that major; otherwise, one of the longest minor. The exact meaning depends on the partnership's system.
When should you bid 1NT?
In five-card major systems, with 15 to 17 HCP and a balanced hand (4-3-3-3, 4-4-3-2 or 5-3-3-2 with a five-card minor). Other systems use other ranges: 12 to 14 in Acol, 13 to 15 in Precision.
How do you choose an opening lead?
With a sequence (K-Q-J), lead the highest honor. Against a notrump contract, you will often lead your longest suit. Against a suit contract, avoid leading away from an ace, and think about the suit your partner has bid. The bidding you have heard matters as much as these principles.
How do you make a finesse work?
Lead toward the honor you want to win a trick with, from the opposite hand. With A-Q in dummy, lead from your hand: if the left-hand opponent has the king and does not play it, the queen wins. With no other clue, a simple finesse works one time in two.
How many points do you need for game?
About 25 points between the two hands (high-card points and length points) for 3NT, 4♥ or 4♠; 28 to 29 for 5♣ or 5♦; 33 for a small slam. These are guidelines, not guarantees.
What is a convention in bridge?
A bid whose meaning is artificial, agreed in advance between partners, such as Stayman (2♣ in response to 1NT to look for a major suit). It is not a rule of the game: it must be known to both partners and to the opponents.
What is duplicate bridge?
The form of competition where each deal is replayed at several tables with the same cards. The results are then compared between the pairs who held the same cards: the element of luck in the deal disappears.
Can you play bridge against an AI?
Yes. In Bridge hors ligne, you sit South and the computer plays the other three seats, with six AI levels, hints, and an explanation of every bid. The app is still in development: it runs on Mac as a development build.
Can you learn bridge on your own?
You can learn the rules, the points and the principles on your own, with exercises and software that plays the other three seats. Clubs and federations also offer lessons, which are useful for then playing with a partner.
Where can you download a bridge game on iPhone?
Bridge games for iPhone can be found on Apple's App Store. Bridge hors ligne is not there yet: the iPhone version is planned after the Mac version, and the link will be published on this site at release.