Category: Bridge Lessons

During the Auction phase of a Bridge game, both sides are bidding so as to obtain the Contract. Bidding determines how many tricks you need to make and in what “strain” (Suit or NT).

Once you have determined the shape of your hand , added up your HCP , ascertained your partner’s HCP , you then have the total HCP for the partnership. At that stage the following table gives you an “idea’ of how many tricks you can take :-

High Card Points commonly known as HCP were devised by Milton!

To determine the strength of your hand at Bridge you look , initially, at two things ; a) Hand Pattern / Shape and b) the number of High Card Points (HCP) in the hand.

Within the game of Bridge itself there are only 15 words that can be used for bidding :-