Basic Rules of Contract Bridge
• Players: 4 (two partnerships: North–South vs. East–West)
• Cards: Each player is dealt 13 cards from a standard 52-card deck
• Objective: Win tricks to fulfill a bid-based contract
Game Flow
1. Bidding Phase
• Players bid in clockwise order, stating how many tricks (over 6) they can win and the trump suit (or No Trump).
• Example: “2 Hearts” means the partnership aims to win 8 tricks with hearts as trump.
• Bidding continues until three consecutive passes. The final bid becomes the contract.
2. Play Phase
• The player to the left of the declarer leads the first card.
• Players must follow suit if possible; highest card of the led suit wins unless trumped.
• The declarer plays both their hand and their partner’s (the dummy), which is laid face-up.
3. Scoring
• Points are awarded for fulfilling the contract, overtricks, and bonuses (game, slam, doubled/redoubled).
• Penalties apply for failing to meet the contract (undertricks).
️ Chicago Style Bridge (aka Four-Deal Bridge)
• Same gameplay as Contract Bridge, but played over exactly four deals.
• Vulnerability is preset:
• Deal 1: Neither side vulnerable
• Deal 2: Dealer’s side vulnerable
• Deal 3: Dealer’s side vulnerable
• Deal 4: Both sides vulnerable
Scoring Highlights
• Game bonus: 300 points (not vulnerable), 500 points (vulnerable)
• Small slam: 500 (not vulnerable), 750 (vulnerable)
• Grand slam: 1000 (not vulnerable), 1500 (vulnerable)
• Overtricks and undertricks vary based on vulnerability and whether the contract was doubled
Why Choose Chicago Style?
• Faster and more predictable—great for club play or limited time
• No need to win two games for a rubber
• Easier to rotate players after each four-deal set