Bridge: Play Online for Free (Solo & Multiplayer)

Play free Bridge online against the computer, team up with other players online, or create a private table for you and your friends. Whichever way you choose, you're sure to enjoy this legendary card game. If you have a competitive streak, you can join a ranked game to test your skills against experienced players.

Bridge is a trick-taking game played by 4 people in two partnerships, with partners sitting across from each other. Often called the "king of card games," Bridge combines strategic bidding with skillful card play. It shares ancestry with Whist and, like Spades, rewards teamwork, memory, and tactical thinking. The version played here is Rubber Bridge.

Rules

For people who haven't played before, we suggest looking through our thorough guide on how to play Bridge, where you'll also find a helpful interactive tutorial that'll lead you through a game. If you're just looking for a brush-up on the rules, look no further!

The goal is to win the rubber by being the first partnership to win two games. A game is won by accumulating 100 or more trick points, and part-scores can carry forward across deals until a game is completed. This format is called Rubber Bridge. Each player is dealt 13 cards from a standard 52-card deck. Cards rank from Ace (high) down to 2 (low).

The game begins with an auction where players bid for the right to name the trump suit (or play in no trumps). A bid consists of a number (1-7) plus a denomination. The number represents tricks above six that your side commits to winning. The highest bid becomes the contract, and the player who first mentioned the final denomination becomes the declarer.

After the opening lead, the declarer's partner (the dummy) lays their cards face-up on the table. The declarer then plays both hands, trying to fulfill the contract. Players must follow suit when possible. The highest card of the led suit wins unless a trump is played, in which case the highest trump wins. Points are scored for making contracts, with bonuses for slams and overtricks, while failing to make your contract gives penalty points to the opponents.

Strategy

Bridge is renowned as one of the most strategic card games ever created. Success depends on bidding accurately, playing cards skillfully, and communicating effectively with your partner through the bids you make. We've summarized some essential tips below.

Bidding:

• Count your high-card points (Ace=4, King=3, Queen=2, Jack=1). Opening bids typically require 12-13+ points.
• Communicate your hand shape and strength to your partner through your bids. Each bid tells partner something about your hand.
• Don't overbid! It's better to make a smaller contract than to go down in an ambitious one.
• Pay attention to your opponents' bids. They reveal information about their hands too.
• Consider vulnerability when bidding. Higher penalties when vulnerable mean you should be more conservative.

Declarer Play:

• Before playing a single card, count your winners and losers. Plan how you'll make your contract.
• Consider which hand to win tricks in to maintain communication between your hand and dummy.
• Draw trumps early unless you need dummy's trumps for ruffing.
• Establish your long suits to create extra winners.
• Use the finesse when you need to develop tricks without losing to higher cards.

Defensive Play:

• Against no trumps, lead your longest and strongest suit to establish winners.
• Against suit contracts, consider leading partner's bid suit or a singleton.
• Signal to your partner with your card choices. High cards encourage, low cards discourage.
• Count declarer's tricks and work out how to defeat the contract.

Frequently asked questions

What is a trick, and what is the dummy?

A trick is a round where each player plays one card. The highest card wins the trick. The dummy is the declarer's partner. After the opening lead, dummy's cards are placed face-up on the table and played by declarer.

What is a contract and how is declarer determined?

The contract is the final bid in the auction. It specifies how many tricks (above six) the declaring side must win and which suit is trump (or no trumps). The declarer is the player on the winning bidding side who first mentioned the final denomination during the auction.

What does it mean to be vulnerable?

A partnership becomes vulnerable after winning one game in the current rubber. Vulnerability increases both bonus points for making contracts and penalty points for going down.

What is a slam?

A small slam is a contract to win 12 tricks, while a grand slam is a contract to win all 13 tricks. Making slams earns large bonus points.

What is "below the line" and "above the line"?

In Rubber Bridge scoring, trick points that count toward winning a game go "below the line." Bonuses, overtricks, and penalties go "above the line." When a side accumulates 100+ points below the line, they win a game.