Standard American Bridge Lesson 3

Bidding Game -what is it?

"Game" has a special meaning when you play bridge We now know that the opener needs 11 TP (or 12-14 HCP if bid is 1NT) to start the bidding. Opener’s partner is called the responder. Responder needs only 6 HCP to make a minimum bid but, if they have enough points, in their combined hands they should bid to "Game."

When to bid "Game."

You need at least 26 points between you and your partner to bid "Game."

If responder has 13 points or more, then it is right to bid game. This is because:
13 (opener) + 13 (responder) = 26 TP

1. "Game" in opener’s Major suit (26 TP's and a Fit in trumps between you and your partner)

If you have 4 cards in your partner’s suit, you have at least 8 trumps between you. Partner has promised at least 4 with the opening bid. Having 8 trumps is called a FIT. If you have a fit in a major, that will be the best place to play your game.

2. "Game" in Notrumps (25 HCP's between you and your partner)

If you don’t have 4-card support for your partner’s major suit, you should usually bid 3NT.

3. "Game" in opener’s Minor suit (27 TP's between you and your partner)

Avoid game in a minor suit if possible, because you’wil probably score more points in 3NT. and you only have to make 9 tricks instead of 11.

  PREVIOUS LESSON - Opening Bid at The 1 Level    NEXT LESSON - Responding To an Opening Bid  

1.	Introduction To Bridge - Hand Evaluation
2.	Opening Bids
3.	Bidding Game
4.	Responder Bidding
5.	Opener Rebids
6.	Responder Suit Bids
7.	Responder No Trump Bids
9.	Responding To Overcalls
10.	Opening 1NT
11.	Responding With Balanced Hands
12.	Responding With An Unbalanced Hand
13.	NoTrump Rebids
14.	Responses To NoTrump Rebids
15.	Overcall Or Double
16.	Takeout Doubles
17.	Responses To Takeout Doubles
18.	Opening 2NT
19.	Responses To 2NT
20.	Opening Strong 2 Clubs
21.	Responding to a Strong 2 Club Opening
22.	Responding to an Opening Weak 2 Bid

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