Learn bridge for beginners → Lesson 3

Calls and bids

Starting with the dealer, each player makes one call in turn. The possible calls are a bid, Pass, Double or Redouble. Beginners can first concentrate on bids and Pass.

A bid has a level from one to seven and a denomination: clubs, diamonds, hearts, spades or No Trump. The level tells how many tricks above six the partnership promises.

Every new bid must be higher

At the same level, denominations rank from lowest to highest as clubs, diamonds, hearts, spades, No Trump. Therefore 1♦ is higher than 1♣, 1♠ is higher than 1♥, and 1NT is higher than 1♠. After 1NT, the next available bid is 2♣.

What does Pass mean?

Pass means that you choose not to make another bid at that moment. It does not permanently remove you from the auction; if bidding continues, you may bid on a later turn. Four passes at the start produce a passed-out deal. Once somebody has bid, three consecutive passes end the auction.

What information does a bid convey?

Partnerships use a bidding system. A bid may describe high-card strength, suit length, support for partner or a balanced hand. High-card points provide a starting measure: ace = 4, king = 3, queen = 2 and jack = 1. The full deck contains 40 HCP.

For example, an opening bid of one of a suit normally shows enough strength to compete and says something about the bidder's distribution. Partner then responds, and the partnership gradually decides its best denomination and level. Exact meanings depend on the chosen system; RVLbridge supports Standard American/SAYC and Basic Acol.

Double and Redouble

A Double says the opponents' current contract should carry increased rewards or penalties. Depending on the auction, it can also have a conventional or takeout meaning. Redouble is available to the side whose contract was doubled. These calls matter later, but a beginner can learn ordinary bids and passes first.

The auction ends with a contract: the last bid, possibly doubled or redoubled, followed by three passes.