Before you can begin to play Bridge, you need to outfit yourself with some basic supplies. Actually, you may already have some of these items around the house, just begging for you to use them in your Bridge game. What do you need? Here's your bottom-line list: Four warm bodies, including yours. Just find three friends who are interested in playing.

First and foremost, Bridge is a partnership game; you swim together and you sink together. Your opponents are in the same boat. In Bridge, you don't score points individually — you score points as a team. Each hand of Bridge is divided into four acts, which occur in the same order: Act 1: Dealing The game starts with each player seated facing his or her partner.

Sorry to break the news to you, but as yet no one has come up with software that can play bridge at an expert level. However, the quality of the software continues to improve. The beginner bridge programs give you a chance to practice your bidding, card play, and defense without risking the embarrassment of an angry partner.

The internet provides a vital forum for bridge players all over the world. Currently, you can find hundreds of bridge-related websites that offer everything from bridge games to blogs to bridge instruction. Following are some great picks for websites where you can play bridge and search for bridge info. Playing bridge online against others Players from around the world can play against each other online, keep abreast of the latest conventions, find out what’s happening in the bridge world, and connect with suitable partners.

Most of the responder’s rebidding headaches arise after an initial one-over-one response, followed by the opener mentioning a second suit. At that point, three bids have been made, and neither player has made a limit bid. Both hands have problems determining each other’s strength. However, if the initial response is two over one, the opener already knows of 11 or more HCP, eliminating the possibility that you (the responder) have a weak hand.

If your Bridge partner bids two suits and you’re not thrilled with either, you may want to veer off into notrump. A notrump rebid gets you out of the awkwardness of playing in a trump suit with only seven cards between the two hands. Just be sure to tell your partner your strength.If you want to make a notrump rebid, show your HCP according to the following scale after your partner’s rebid at the one level: 7 to 10 HCP: Rebid 1NT, a minimum-range hand.

When you get hooked on the game, you may want to reach out for bridge information. Here’s some help! Keep reading for ten great references and resources that you may find handy. The American Contract Bridge League Joining the American Contract Bridge League (ACBL) is a must-do. The ACBL is an excellent source of information about current events in the bridge community.

Fun and games are over. Now it’s time to experience playing bridge and scoring your first Chicago wheel! Can you stand all this excitement?On the very first hand, you’re the dealer, and your side winds up playing a contract of 2♥. By sheer brilliance, you fulfill your contract and take exactly eight tricks. Your trick score is 30 × 2 = 60 + an automatic 50 for bidding and making a partscore contract.

Most bridge players value a reliable, happy partner above anything else. Working together as a team is important for the success of your partnership. You both want to win, so you can’t gain anything from getting upset when play doesn’t go exactly as planned. And it seldom does! Here, you'll find some tips on keeping your partner happy.