How to count points in bridge
In bridge you count high-card points: ace 4, king 3, queen 2 and jack 1. With about 12 points you open, and with about 25 between you and your partner there is usually a game.
There are 40 points in the pack, 10 in each suit, so an average hand holds 10. Shape counts too: a long suit makes tricks, and once you have a fit, short suits help.
How many points for what?
| Together | Usually enough for |
|---|---|
| About 25 | Game in no-trumps (3NT) or a major (4♥ or 4♠) |
| About 29 | Game in a minor (5♣ or 5♦) |
| About 33 | A small slam (12 tricks) |
| About 37 | A grand slam (all 13 tricks) |
| Opening | Points |
|---|---|
| One of a suit | 12 or more; 10 or 11 when the rule of 20 says so |
| 1NT | 12–14, balanced |
| 2♦, 2♥, 2♠ | 6–10 with a good six-card suit (weak twos) |
| 2NT | 20–22, balanced |
| 2♣ | 23 or more, or a hand strong enough for game on its own |
Shape
- The rule of 20: add your points to the number of cards in your two longest suits. If that makes 20 or more, open even with 10 or 11 points. The bots in VosBridge do the same.
- Support points: once you have a fit with partner, add points for short suits: 3 for a void, 2 for a singleton and 1 for a doubleton. Only with support for partner's suit.
- Length points: many teachers also add a point for every card beyond four in a suit. The bots in VosBridge do not; they use the rule of 20 instead.
Examples
Example 1: the rule of 20
- ♠ A K 9 6 4
- ♥ Q J 8 5 3
- ♦ 7
- ♣ 6 2
10 points with five spades and five hearts: 10 + 5 + 5 = 20. By the rule of 20 you open, with the higher of your two five-card suits: 1♠.
Example 2: support points
- ♠ 7
- ♥ K 9 6 4
- ♦ A 8 5 3 2
- ♣ J 7 3
Partner opens 1♥. You have 8 points and four hearts. The singleton spade adds 2: 10 support points. That is enough for 3♥, an invitation to game.
Common mistakes
- Counting points for short suits without a fit. A singleton only helps when you have trumps to ruff with.
- Counting points only. Look at your long suits as well, and at what partner has shown.
- Forgetting partner's points. Every bid tells you roughly how many partner holds; add them to yours.
- Bidding a minor-suit game with 25 points. 5♣ and 5♦ need 11 tricks; see first whether 3NT is possible.
See also: Learn bridge · Blackwood · Bridge scoring · Acol
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