The Book of Card Games: The Complete Rules to the Classics, Family Favorite and Forgotten Games by Nikki Katz Page A
Authors: Nikki Katz
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opponents before the game begins. If the system is complicated, you should write up a “convention card” and give that to your opponents for reference. This card contains all of the meanings and suggestions that you will be using in bidding. At the end of bidding, your opponents may also ask you about the bidding agreements that you used during the bid.
In creating a successful bid, the most basic method of natural bidding is the “point count system.” This system requires you first to assign points to different areas, suits, and cards in your hand. First add up your high-card points (HCP) by counting four points for each ace, three points for each king, two points for each queen, and one point for each jack. Next, you’ll add three points for each void you have in your hand (no cards of a particular suit), two points for only having a single card in one suit, and one point for only having two cards in one suit. Usually, a total of twenty-six points wins you the game, thirty-three points gives you a small slam, and thirty-seven points gives you a grand slam.
The common opening bids are the following:
Thirteen or more points and five cards in a suit—open with that one and that suit.
Thirteen to fifteen points but no five cards in a suit—open with one and the stronger minor suit.
Fifteen to seventeen high-card points and no voids or single cards in one suit—open with one and no trump.
Some less common opening bids are the following:
Twenty to twenty-four points and a balanced hand—open with two no trump.
Twenty-five to twenty-seven points and a balanced hand—open with three no trump.
Fewer than thirteen points but seven cards in one suit—open with three and that suit.
Six cards in one suit with at least two honors—open with two and that suit.
If your partner has opened a hand with a one suit or no trump, you should only respond if you have six or more points in your hand. You should raise your partner’s suit if you have four cards in the same suit, bid a different suit if you have four or more cards in that suit and you cannot support your partner’s suit, or bid no trumps.
Can you win the game in one hand? Yes, if a hand is doubled or redoubled. To win a game in only one hand with no doubles, a player must win a bid with at least three no trumps, four spades or hearts, or five clubs or diamonds.
If you are going to overbid your opponent’s bid, you should only bid a suit you have five or more cards in. You should have eight or more points to overbid at the one level, and at least eleven points to overbid at the two level. You should double your opponent’s bid if you have ten or more points without five cards in one suit.
Variations of Bridge
There are many variations that have been introduced to the game of bridge over the years. Chicago is a game that is completed in just four hands, so you can play with five or six players and rotate in the other player(s) much faster than when playing a rubber. Honeymoon Bridge is a game for two players, when you just can’t seem to find another pair of partners who want to play when you do!
Chicago
Chicago originated at the Standard Club in Chicago. It is completed in four hands, with vulnerability being dictated based on which hand is being played. Chicago Bridge is played with four players forming two partnerships, using a standard pack of fifty-two cards. Aces are high, and twos are low. Chicago Bridge is dealt and played like contract bridge; the only difference is that the vulnerability changes with each hand, as follows:
Hand 1: The dealer is North, and neither side is vulnerable.
Hand 2: The dealer is East, and the dealer’s team is vulnerable.
Hand 3: The dealer is South, and the dealer’s team is vulnerable.
Hand 4: The dealer is West, and both sides are vulnerable.
Score for tricks, overtricks, undertricks, honors, bonuses, double, and redouble are played normally. Scores for tricks bid and made count toward game bonuses, with 300 points for
In creating a successful bid, the most basic method of natural bidding is the “point count system.” This system requires you first to assign points to different areas, suits, and cards in your hand. First add up your high-card points (HCP) by counting four points for each ace, three points for each king, two points for each queen, and one point for each jack. Next, you’ll add three points for each void you have in your hand (no cards of a particular suit), two points for only having a single card in one suit, and one point for only having two cards in one suit. Usually, a total of twenty-six points wins you the game, thirty-three points gives you a small slam, and thirty-seven points gives you a grand slam.
The common opening bids are the following:
Thirteen or more points and five cards in a suit—open with that one and that suit.
Thirteen to fifteen points but no five cards in a suit—open with one and the stronger minor suit.
Fifteen to seventeen high-card points and no voids or single cards in one suit—open with one and no trump.
Some less common opening bids are the following:
Twenty to twenty-four points and a balanced hand—open with two no trump.
Twenty-five to twenty-seven points and a balanced hand—open with three no trump.
Fewer than thirteen points but seven cards in one suit—open with three and that suit.
Six cards in one suit with at least two honors—open with two and that suit.
If your partner has opened a hand with a one suit or no trump, you should only respond if you have six or more points in your hand. You should raise your partner’s suit if you have four cards in the same suit, bid a different suit if you have four or more cards in that suit and you cannot support your partner’s suit, or bid no trumps.
Can you win the game in one hand? Yes, if a hand is doubled or redoubled. To win a game in only one hand with no doubles, a player must win a bid with at least three no trumps, four spades or hearts, or five clubs or diamonds.
If you are going to overbid your opponent’s bid, you should only bid a suit you have five or more cards in. You should have eight or more points to overbid at the one level, and at least eleven points to overbid at the two level. You should double your opponent’s bid if you have ten or more points without five cards in one suit.
Variations of Bridge
There are many variations that have been introduced to the game of bridge over the years. Chicago is a game that is completed in just four hands, so you can play with five or six players and rotate in the other player(s) much faster than when playing a rubber. Honeymoon Bridge is a game for two players, when you just can’t seem to find another pair of partners who want to play when you do!
Chicago
Chicago originated at the Standard Club in Chicago. It is completed in four hands, with vulnerability being dictated based on which hand is being played. Chicago Bridge is played with four players forming two partnerships, using a standard pack of fifty-two cards. Aces are high, and twos are low. Chicago Bridge is dealt and played like contract bridge; the only difference is that the vulnerability changes with each hand, as follows:
Hand 1: The dealer is North, and neither side is vulnerable.
Hand 2: The dealer is East, and the dealer’s team is vulnerable.
Hand 3: The dealer is South, and the dealer’s team is vulnerable.
Hand 4: The dealer is West, and both sides are vulnerable.
Score for tricks, overtricks, undertricks, honors, bonuses, double, and redouble are played normally. Scores for tricks bid and made count toward game bonuses, with 300 points for
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