5. Scoring
As with many competitive games, the winner is the one with the most points. This section explains the structure for how a sucessful contract is scored.
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 offense 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.
Total Contract Points
The table below displays the contract points that are awarded based upon how many total tricks the offense wins:
|
Contract Points for
Total Tricks Won |
| Type of Contract |
Book
0 - 6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
11 |
12 |
13 |
No Trump
(40 pts/first trick then 30pts/successive tricks) |
0 |
40 |
70 |
100 |
130 |
160 |
190 |
220 |
Major Suit (hearts or spades)
(30 pts/trick) |
0 |
30 |
60 |
90 |
120 |
150 |
180 |
210 |
Minor Suit (clubs or diamonds)
(20pts/trick) |
0 |
20 |
40 |
60 |
80 |
100 |
120 |
140 |
For the same number of total tricks won, the offense will score more contract points in a No Trump contract than either a major suit or minor suit contract. This is why many players prefer to play No Trump contracts.
6. Bidding Strategy
The bidding strategy of SAYC is the result of the statistical/actuarial analysis of the trick taking process of playing bridge. The strategy is directed toward reaching the optimum contract with the least risk for a given hand.
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 !!!
1/20/2025
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