Bridge (game)

A

Scoring

In contract bridge only those tricks bid and made are scored below the line; overtricks are scored as bonuses. The first six tricks are not counted; each additional trick in clubs or diamonds counts 20 points; in hearts or spades, 30 points; and in no trump, 40 points for the seventh trick and 30 points for each additional trick.

A total of 100 points below the line is required for game. A side is not vulnerable at the beginning of each rubber and becomes vulnerable after making one game. The first side to make two games collects a rubber bonus of 700 points for a two-game rubber or 500 points for a three-game rubber.

Honor bonuses are given only for honors all in one hand. Four honors in a suit are worth 100 points; five honors in a suit, or four aces in a no-trump contract, are worth 150 points. Bonuses for slams are given only for slams bid and made. A small slam yields 500 points if the bidding side is not vulnerable, 750 points if vulnerable. The corresponding bonuses for grand slams are 1000 and 1500 points. An additional bonus of 50 points is awarded for making a doubled contract, and 100 points is awarded for a redoubled contract.

Penalties for undertricks are scored as bonuses by the defending side and are assessed at 50 points per undertrick not vulnerable and 100 points when vulnerable. Doubled contracts double the value of the first undertrick and increase successive undertricks at a rate of 200 points not vulnerable for the first three tricks, 300 points not vulnerable thereafter, and 300 points vulnerable. Redoubled penalties are twice the doubled value.

---

---

IV

Duplicate Bridge

Duplicate bridge is a variety of contract bridge in which the element of luck affecting the final score is greatly decreased and the factor of skill is correspondingly increased. Duplicate is virtually the only game now played in championship bridge tournaments and matches.

Duplicate bridge can be played by any number of players divided into pairs or teams. Each pair competes against all (or in some duplicate tournaments against half) the other pairs. The cards are all dealt before play begins and placed in pockets in separate trays known as boards on each table. The dealer and conditions of vulnerability are marked on the board. The bidding and play in duplicate bridge are similar to rubber bridge, except that the cards are not gathered together at the end of each trick, but are placed in front of each player. At the end of the hand, everyone's cards can thus be placed intact back in the board. The board is then passed on to the next table, and the same cards are replayed by four different players. A traveling score sheet goes with each board. Between hands the players move from table to table in accordance with a prearranged plan so that each pair plays against as many other pairs as possible; at the same time, the boards are moved in such a way that the same pair never plays the same hand twice.

A

Scoring

The scoring of points in duplicate bridge is different from that of rubber bridge in that each hand is unrelated to all others. For part scores—that is, hands on which less than game is bid—a bonus of 50 points is added to the trick score. On game bids a bonus of 300 points is added if not vulnerable and 500 points if vulnerable. Slam bonuses are the same as in rubber bridge. These points are used indirectly to calculate the match point score. The pairs (North-South and East-West) in each direction scoring the most points will get the top score; the second best, next to top; and so on. The top score is that figure equal to the number of tables the hand is played less one. Thus, in a 13-table duplicate game, top score on a board will receive 12 points; the next, 11 points; down to zero. Therefore it is unimportant by how many points a player achieves a top score. The player will receive the same 12 points whether 20 points above second best or 1000 points better. In a board-a-match team of four, two pairs constitute a team. One pair plays North-South, the other East-West. Thus a direct comparison on each board is made. The team receives 1 match point on each board; a net profit is achieved, 4 points if the scores are equal, and a zero if there is a net loss. The team winning the most match points, not total points, wins the tournament.