Guide Note

Bridge is a trick-taking game played by four people who form partnerships with the player seated across from them. The game consists of rounds of bidding and play, after which the hand is scored.

Fast Facts

1. Origin: Late 19th century England
2. Players: 4
3. Deck: 1 52-card deck
4. Play: Clockwise
5. First World Championship held in 1935
6. Descended from: Whist
7. Similar to: Hearts, Solo and Five Hundred
8. Types/variations:
   1. Contract bridge
   2. Duplicate bridge
   3. Auction bridge
   4. Singaporean bridge
9. Notable practitioners: George Washington, Bill Gates, Warren Buffett

Tips for Getting Started

1. Find a group that plays regularly. It's easiest to learn the game from experienced players.
2. Read about bridge online or in books dedicated to bridge rules and strategy.
3. Start to develop your card memory.
4. Practice playing one trick after another on your own.

1. Declarer: The partner who makes the final bid at auction; plays cards in his or her own hand as well as dummy's cards
2. Dummy: Partner of the declarer; cards are placed face up on the table
3. Grand slam: Contract to win all thirteen tricks
4. Trump: Card in the trump suit whose trick-taking power in greater than a plain suited card
5. Finesse: Technique for gaining tricks by taking advantage of a favorable lie of the opponents' cards