Introduction
The Bridge scoring shown here is for Rubber Bridge. Other forms of Bridge use scoring methods that are a variation of the scoring shown here. This page does not cover scoring as the result of doubling and redoubling.
Many of the Bridge concepts on these pages comes from How to Play Bridge Like a Boss by Anthony Medley. I will try to denote the ideas that are my own.
Bidding the Contract
Bidding starts with the dealer and proceeds clockwise until there are 4 consecutive passes or 3 consecutive passes after a bid has been made. Each player can bid a level and suit in increasing order, double, redouble, or pass. The declarer is the player making the last bid. The player to the left of the declarer starts the play. If the dealer makes enough tricks to win the contract, the partnership is awarded points for each trick. Points for the tricks declared in the contract count toward game score. Points for any tricks in excess of the declared contract are awarded as bonus points.
Making Game
A game in bridge is a sequence of 1 or more hands until one of the 2 partnerships wins 100 points. After a game is completed, the count of game points towards game starts from zero and the next game starts. After a partnership wins a game, it is vulnerable and subject to higher penalty points.
A rubber in Bridge is a sequence of Bridge hands in which one of the two partnerships wins 2 out of 3 games. After a partnership wins 2 out of 3 games, it is awarded premium points for winning the most games. The winner of the rubber is the partnership with the most total points.
Slam Bidding
Premium points are awarded for making a 6-bid or small slam. 500 points are awarded for making a slam bid when not vulnerable and 750 points when vulnerable. Premium points are awarded for making a 7-bid or grand slam. 1000 points are awarded for making a slam bid when not vulnerable and 1500 points when vulnerable.
The Points per trick
The points awarded in a hand depend on the suit rank and the number of tricks in the contract.
| Suits | Points |
| Minor suits (♣ and ♦) | 20 points per trick |
| Major suits (♥ and ♠) | 30 points per trick |
| No Trump | 40 points for the first trick, 30 points for each additional trick |
Contract Points
Game points are awarded to the declarer’s team when the contract is made, IE, declarer bids 3 ♠ and makes 9 or more tricks. if the declarer wins 9 tricks, enough for a 3 ♠ bid, then declarer gets 90 points towards game. if the declarer wins 10 tricks, enough for a 3 ♠ bid with an extra trick called an overtrick, then declarer gets 90 points towards game plus a 30-point premium score.
Penalty Points
Penalty points are awarded to the defenders when the contract is not made, IE, declarer bids 3 ♠ and makes less than 9 tricks. if the declarer wins 8 tricks, one short of a 3 ♠ bid, then the defenders get 50 points when declarer is not vulnerable and 100 points when declarer is vulnerable. if the declarer wins 10 tricks, two short of a 6 ♠ bid, then the defenders get 100 points when declarer is not vulnerable and 200 points when declarer is vulnerable.
Game Bids
A 100 point game can be achieved in more than one hand, but it can also be achieved in one hand if the game contract is bid. The following table contains game bids
| Suits | Points |
| Minor suits (♣ and ♦) | 20 points per trick |
| Major suits (♥ and ♠) | 30 points per trick |
| No Trump | 40 points for the first trick, 30 points for each additional trick |
Scoring
A score is updated after every hand. The score sheet Was two columns, one for each partnership. The winning trick stores that count toward a game go below the line. All other scores go above the line. When a game score is achieved by a partnership in one or more hands, then a line is drawn to indicate the end of a game and the start of a new game. All non-game points earned by a partnership are placed above the initial line. All new game scores are below the line drawn to end the previous game.
The following progression shows how the scorekeeper enters the results after each hand.
In the first hand the ‘we’ team bids 3 ♥ but makes 5. The score for the 2 overtricks does not count towards game. Note the entry of the bid on the score sheet.
In the second hand the ‘They’ team bids and makes 3 NT. The score gives the ‘They’ team a game. The line below the score indicates a won-game. The premium for a won-game is not entered yet. Note the entry of the bid on the score sheet.
In the third hand the ‘we’ team bids 5 ♣ and makes only 4, going down 1. The score gives the ‘they’ team 50 points for setting the ‘we’ team.
In the fourth hand the ‘they’ team bids and makes 4 ♠. The score gives the ‘they’ team 120 points for making the contract, and the 700-point premium for winning 2 out of 2 games.
The winner might not be the team that wins 2 games, because the winner is the partnership with the most points. In this case the ‘We’ team had 150 points, and the ‘They’ team had 970 points, The ‘they’ team won the rubber.
Review Questions
1. A partnership bids and makes 3 ♦. How many game points are earned?
2. How many tricks can you lose and still make a contract of 4 ♠?
3. You have just made a 1 ♠ contract. What is the smallest ♣ contract that will win you a game?
4. You are vulnerable and you go down 1 trick on a 2 ♥ bid. What score is awarded to the opposing team?
If you have any comments or suggestions, please send them to [email protected]
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