Play bridge online against the computer

How bridge works

Bridge is a trick-taking game for four players in two partnerships, with partners sitting across from each other. All 52 cards are dealt, 13 each. Every deal has two parts: an auction, where both sides bid for the right to name trumps, and the play of thirteen tricks.

A bid names a number of tricks over six and a trump suit, or notrump. So 2 hearts promises eight tricks with hearts as trumps, and 3 notrump promises nine tricks with no trumps. Each bid must be higher than the last, and the auction ends after three passes in a row. The final bid is the contract.

The winner of the auction becomes declarer, and their partner's hand goes face up on the table as the dummy. Everyone must follow suit if they can. In Bridge Brook, whenever your side wins the auction you play both hands, even when Hazel is declarer.

Bidding, explained as you go

What makes bridge special is that you talk to your partner only through bids. We teach Standard American with five-card majors, the system most club players learn first. Count high card points: ace 4, king 3, queen 2, jack 1. About 25 points between you and partner usually makes a game.

The bidding helper suggests a call and says why in a sentence. Hazel uses the same system, including Stayman, transfers and Blackwood, so her bids mean what the helper says they mean.

Scoring in brief

Each deal is scored on its own, the way clubs score duplicate games. Tricks over six score 20 each in clubs and diamonds, 30 in hearts and spades, and 40 then 30 in notrump. Reach 100 trick points in one contract and you've made a game, worth a 300 bonus, or 500 when vulnerable. Fall short and the other side scores for every trick you're missing.

Example: 4 spades making exactly ten tricks, not vulnerable, scores 120 for tricks plus 300 for game, so 420.

Learn bridge down the brook

If you're new to the game, start with the guided first deal, then follow the brook: eight little bridges with eight deals each, 64 in all. Every bridge teaches one idea, from counting tricks in notrump and finding a major fit to Stayman and transfers, competing, opening leads and defence, and slams.

Each deal earns up to three stars, with three when you match or beat the house table, our computers playing the same cards at another table.

Daily Deal and practice

• Daily Deal: four boards, the same for everyone each day, compared with eleven house tables and scored as a percentage.
• Club Game: undo, hints and a choice of Relaxed, Steady or Sharp opponents.
• Weekly Regatta: six themed deals each week.
• Bidding Practice: you get a hand and an auction, pick your bid, and we explain the answer.

Our computers only see their own cards, the dummy and the cards already played, and after every deal you can look at all four hands and replay the tricks. The full Bridge Brook guide has the complete bidding table, scoring chart and play tips.

Bridge tips for your first deals

• As declarer, count your sure tricks before playing to the first one.
• In notrump, hold up an ace for a round or two so their partner runs out of the suit.
• In a trump contract, draw the opponents' trumps unless dummy needs them to ruff.
• On defence: second hand low, third hand high, and cover an honor with an honor.

More partnership card games

Pinochle Porch has the same bid-then-play shape with melds added (see pinochle online). Spades Club is the friendliest way into bidding for tricks, and Trickwork Tower turns trick-taking into short puzzles. For lighter games, visit our Hearts and Spades page.

Questions