games

GAMES

Bidding in Bridge is not a random serendipitous walk. It has purpose, direction. The purpose is the exchange of information; the direction is toward the Bonuses. That is where the high scores are. Bidding enables the partnership to determine what suit and how high to play each contract. Or perhaps to defend against the opponent’s contract.

Bonuses
Bonuses are awarded to a team that bids and makes certain contracts. Slams bid and made get large Bonuses. Other contracts that get Bonuses are called Games. There are five Game contracts in Bridge.

3 NT 4

5 u 5

A team that bids and makes any one of these contracts gets a Bonus. If you bid 2 and make 5 there is no Bonus. If you bid 5 and are set there is no Bonus. If you bid 3 NT and make 4 you get a Bonus (plus a few more points for the extra trick).

Part Scores
Part Scores or Partials are contracts below the Game level. Most contracts in Bridge are Partials.

When to Bid Game
It has been found that:

A 1 NT OPENER
opposite
10 POINTS (HCP)

A 1 NT opener with a minimum of 16 points, opposite a 10 point hand is:
16 + 10 = 26 points between the two hands

AN OPENING HAND
opposite
AN OPENING HAND

An opening hand of 13 points, opposite an opening hand of 13 points is:
13 + 13 = 26 points between the two hands

If there are 26 (or more) points between you and your partner, then game can possibly be made and should be bid. This does not mean that you are going to make every Game that you bid. If you do then you are not bidding enough Games. Don't be a chicken, bid Game.

THE SECOND
BRIDGE
NUMBER
26

3 NO TRUMP
26 Points (HCP)
(9 Tricks)
_____________________

4 HEARTS or
4 SPADES
26 Points (TPC)
(10 Tricks)

26 is the number of points you and your partner, combined, need to bid and make game in a Major suit or No Trump. (90 % of all games are in HEARTS, SPADES or NO TRUMP.)
Do TEST III B.

ready for the mid term exam TEST IV