Bridge Hands

The play of a bridge hand consists of many details. First off, you should be aware that a hand consists of 13 tricks. Each trick is made up of one card that is played from the four hands that are held by the four players. Just like standard card games, aces are high in a game of bridge. These are followed by Kings, Queens, Jacks, etc; the 2’s are the lowest valued cards in a game of bridge.

The lead is what the first card in a trick is called. From this card, players then play one card moving clockwise around the table. The lead card can be any one that the player holds. But from there, subsequent cards must follow in suit. The only exception to this rule is if the player does not have any cards left from the suit that is being played. The person who plays the highest card in the suit is the winner of the particular trick. If a card is played from the trump suit, the player with the highest trump card wins the hand. The hand that wins the first trick takes the lead for the next one, and so on. This is done until all of the cards are played; or 13 tricks.

The opening lead is known as the first lead that takes place. The person who is responsible for the opening lead is the defender; who is seated to the left of the declarer. Once the opening lead is laid down, the dummy player will then place their cards face up on the table. The cards should be laid out in four separate columns; one column per suit. If there is a trump suit, the dummy will put it to his or her right.

When it is the declarers turn, they will play one of their own cards as well as one from the dummy hand. The defenders, or others at the table, will choose their own cards to play. While the game is being played out, the dummy does not do much of anything.

The contract that is in place will govern how the game is scored. For instance, if 11 tricks are contracted, the declarer must win five tricks in addition to the six that are standard. If the declarer is successful, they will win the points. If not, the defenders have “defeated” the contract, and they are the ones who are rewarded.