Getting started: for absolute beginners

About half the time in bridge there is no trump suit. This is called playing the hand in No Trumps. This means that each of the four suit is of equal value when it comes to the play of the cards and that there is no Master suit or Trump suit. For example, in a No Trump situation, if a Diamond card is led, then whichever player plays the highest card in the Diamond suit wins that trick. Each suit has 13 cards in order from the highest to the lowest: Ace – King – Queen – Jack – 10 – 9 –8 – 7 – 6 – 5 – 4 – 3 – 2. A “trick” is when each of the four players at the table plays one card. Play always takes place in a clockwise direction.

The most obvious way of winning tricks is with high cards. If you were dealt this hand: ♠A32 ♥A32 uA32 ♣A432 you would feel confident of winning 4 tricks with your four Aces.

It all depends upon the number of cards in this suit that each opponent holds, i.e., how the suit splits/divides. If the five missing cards in the suit split 3/2, you’ll have two extra tricks; if they split 4/1, they’ll still have one Spade card left after you play out the Ace, King, Queen. That Spade of theirs will be a winner. Give them their winner and then you will win the 5th card in the Spade suit. Often in bridge, you have to lose to win.

Another example:

Give them their winner and then you will win the 5th card in the Spade suit. Often in bridge, you have to lose to win.

NORTH 97543 862 SOUTH

Another example: NORTH 97543 862 SOUTH

This may not look very promising. However, if you give the opponents three tricks in this suit, you are likely to end up winning the final two rounds. You’re expecting the suit to divide something like this:

This may not look very promising. However, if you give the opponents three tricks in this suit, you are likely to end up winning the final two rounds. You’re expecting the suit to divide something like this:

♦ 9 7 5 4 3

♦ A Q 10 North West East South ♦ K J ♦ 8 6 2

♦ 8 6 2

Finally, holding: NORTH

Finally, holding:

Finally, holding: NORTH AQ32 K54 SOUTH

NORTH AQ32 K54 SOUTH https://www.andrewrobson.co.uk/andrew/tips_for_intermediates

Here again, make sure that the King is played on the first round of the suit, followed by the Ace and the Queen. Now you are in the right hand, i.e., the North hand to enjoy the winning low card in the suit provided that your opponents hold three cards each in this suit. You are hoping that the opponents’ cards in this suit divide 3/3 and that you will win the 13th card in the suit. You’re hoping for this type of layout:

Here again, make sure that the King is played on the first round of the suit, followed by the Ace and the Queen. Now you are in the right hand, i.e., the North hand to enjoy the winning low card in the suit provided that your opponents hold three cards each in this suit. You are hoping that the opponents’ cards in this suit divide 3/3 and that you will win the 13th card in the suit. You’re hoping for this type of layout:

Here again, make sure that the King is played on the first round of the suit, followed by the Ace and the Queen. Now you are in the right hand, i.e., the North hand to enjoy the winning low card in the suit provided that your opponents hold three cards each in this suit. You are hoping that the opponents’ cards in this suit divide 3/3 and that you will win the 13th card in the suit. You’re hoping for this type of layout:

♣ A Q 3 2

♣ A Q 3 2

♣ J 9 7 North West East South ♣ 10 8 6

♣ J 9 7 North West East South ♣ 10 8 6

♣ K 5 4

♣ K 5 4

After you play out your ♣K-A-Q, your ♣3 will be a winner.

After you play out your ♣K-A-Q, your ♣3 will be a winner.

After you play out your ♣K-A-Q, your ♣3 will be a winner.

It all depends upon the number of cards in this suit that each opponent holds, i.e., how the suit splits/divides. If the five missing cards in the suit split 3/2, you’ll have two extra tricks; if they split 4/1, they’ll still have one Spade card left after you play out the Ace, King, Queen. That Spade of theirs will be a winner. Give them their winner and then you will win the 5th card in the Spade suit. Often in bridge, you have to lose to win.

Another example:

Upcoming Bridge Breaks

New: Bridge break at Improver Level in Knock House Hotel, Co. Mayo, 29th August – 1st September next. Please phone the hotel at 094 9388088 for details.

This may not look very promising. However, if you give the opponents three tricks in this suit, you are likely to end up winning the final two rounds. You’re expecting the suit to divide something like this:

If you wish to receive three times per week free bridge emails which include lessons, videos & quizzes, please email me: just like face-to-face

Also: Bridge Breaks at Improver Level commencing in Knock House Hotel, 29th August – 1st September.

I’m running a Bridge Absolute Beginners Course from the 26th – 30th of November 2023 in The Falls Hotel, Ennistymon, Co. Clare. No prior knowledge of Bridge required or expected.

As a Samaritans volunteer, you’ll help us be there for people when it matters most.

We will train, mentor and support you all the way.