Standard American 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
3NT or 4♠ or 4♥ or 5♦ or 5♣
Scores the partnership a big points bonus
Bidding 3NT requires winning 9 tricks
Bidding 4♠, 4♥ requires winning 10 tricks
Bidding 5♦, 5♣ requires winning 11 tricks
♥ Which "Game" to bid?
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)
PREVIOUS LESSON - Opening Bid at The 1 Level NEXT LESSON - Responding To an Opening Bid
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.
BL 1 © House of Cards 2008: firstname.lastname@example.org