5. Scoring Structure
As with many competitive games, the winner is the one with the most points. This section explains the point scoring structure.
Book of Tricks
The first six tricks won by the offense is called a BOOK. These six tricks do not receive any points. Contract Points are awarded AFTER the declarer's team wins 6 tricks (a book).
Contract Points for a Suit Contract
In the trick taking portion of the game, each trick won (after the book) is awarded a certain number of contract points. For example:
• If the contract is in a Major suit (hearts or spades), each trick that is won after the book is awarded 30 contract points, no matter if the suits in the trick are hearts, spades, clubs, or diamonds.
• If the contract is in a Minor suit (clubs or diamonds), each trick that is won after the book is awarded 20 contract points, no matter if the suits in the trick are hearts, spades, clubs, or diamonds.
Obviously, it is preferable to play a major suit contract instead of a minor suit contract.
Contract Points for a No Trump Contract
The contract points for tricks won (after the book) in a No Trump contract are slightly different.
• The first trick won after the book is worth 40 contract points.
• Each subsequent trick is worth 30 contract points.
Total Contract Points
The table below displays the total contract points that are awarded based upon then number of tricks won by the declarer's team.
| Total Contract Points |
Total Tricks Won |
Book
0 - 6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
11 |
12 |
13 |
No Trump Contract
(40 pts/first trick then 30 pts/successive tricks) |
0 |
40 |
70 |
100 |
130 |
160 |
190 |
220 |
Major Suit Contract (hearts or spades)
(30 pts/trick) |
0 |
30 |
60 |
90 |
120 |
150 |
180 |
210 |
Minor Suit Contract (clubs or diamonds)
(20 pts/trick) |
0 |
20 |
40 |
60 |
80 |
100 |
120 |
140 |
A partnership wins a "
GAME" by winning at least
100 contract points. Once a partnership wins a GAME, the partnership can win an additional amount of "Bonus Points" that range from 300 to 1,500 bonus points. As a result, the bidding and trick taking processes are focussed on winning a GAME.
(The bonus point structure is explained in a separate web page to be discussed later)
In order to win a game, the partnership needs to win 9, 10, or 11 tricks to earn 100 contract points. From statistical / actuarial analysis, a partnership needs a certain amount of high card points and distribution points to win at least 9 tricks. The following table shows the relationship between partnership points and tricks taken as follows:
Partnership
Points |
Tricks
Taken |
Result |
| Contract Points |
Type of Game |
| 25 HCPs |
9 tricks |
100 pts |
without a trump suit |
| 25 pts |
10 tricks |
120 pts |
with a Major trump suit |
| 29 pts |
11 tricks |
100 pts |
with a Minor trump suit |
| 33 pts |
12 tricks |
120-190 pts |
Baby Slam |
| 37 pts |
12 tricks |
140-220 pts |
Grand Slam |
Many bridge players prefer to play No Trump contracts because they only need 9 tricks to win 100 points.
6. Bidding Strategy
The bidding strategy of SAYC is to reach the optimum scoring contract with the least risk.
From statistical/actuarial analysis, playing a suit contract with a "wild card suit" (the trump suit) is 10% more likely to be successful than a contract that does not have a "wild card suit" (a No Trump contract). The ability of taking one extra trick by using a "wild card" (trump) gives a suit contract an edge over a No Trump contract.
The SAYC bidding strategy in order of suit priority is:
1st: Try for a suit contract in a Major suit (hearts or spades).
2nd: If a major suit contract is not practical, try for a contract in No Trump.
Last Resort: If a major suit contract and a No Trump contract are not practical, settle for a contract in a Minor suit.
Start bidding !!!
3/21/2025
Reed's Bridge Site © 2025 (Updated 4/13/2025)