What Is Puzzle Rush?
Puzzle Rush is BridgeDummy's fast-paced challenge mode. You solve a rapid-fire sequence of bridge puzzles, collecting stars on every answer while trying to avoid strikes. Think of it as a high-score run where every puzzle counts.
There are two modes to choose from: Survival and 2-Minute Rush. Both share the same core rules, but they test very different skills. Survival rewards careful thinking, while 2-Minute Rush rewards speed and instinct.
How the Two Modes Work
In Survival mode, there is no clock. You solve puzzles at your own pace, one at a time, and review your results after each one before moving on. The run only ends when you collect three strikes. It costs 20 diamonds to start.
In 2-Minute Rush, you have exactly 120 seconds. Puzzles fly by automatically after you answer, with a brief feedback flash between them. The run ends when either the timer hits zero or you rack up three strikes, whichever comes first. It costs 10 diamonds to start.
Both modes serve you a mix of lead and bidding puzzles. You will never know what type is coming next, so you need to stay sharp across all your bridge skills.
Scoring and Strikes
Your score is the total number of stars you earn across every puzzle in the run. Each puzzle awards 1 to 5 stars based on how strong your answer is. Even strike puzzles count toward your total, so a 3-star answer still adds 3 to your score.
A strike happens any time you score below 5 stars on a puzzle. Three strikes and the run is over. This means perfection matters: getting 4 stars keeps your score climbing, but it also burns one of your three lives.
In Survival, you see full results after each puzzle, including the community average and sample hands. In 2-Minute Rush, results stack up in the background and you can review all of them once the run finishes.
Strategies for Higher Scores
For Survival, take your time. There is no penalty for thinking longer, so read every hand carefully. Since you review each puzzle before continuing, use that moment to understand what the best answer was and why. Avoiding strikes is everything here.
For 2-Minute Rush, speed is your friend but recklessness is not. A 4-star answer is far better than a 1-star guess, even though both cost you a strike. Focus on reading the hand quickly, picking the strongest reasonable option, and moving on. Do not overthink borderline calls.
Across both modes, aim for consistency. Five consecutive perfect answers trigger a hot streak indicator, and long streaks are the foundation of leaderboard-level scores. Getting comfortable with common lead and bidding patterns before jumping into Puzzle Rush will pay off.
The Leaderboard
Each mode has its own all-time top-100 leaderboard. Your best run for each mode is tracked separately, so you can compete on both without one overwriting the other.
Rankings are based on total stars. If two players have the same score, the tiebreaker goes to whoever achieved it first. You can check the leaderboard from the Puzzle Rush lobby or right after finishing a run.
If your score lands in the top 100, you will see your rank on the results screen. If you fall outside the top 100, BridgeDummy still shows your personal best so you always know the target to beat.
Build Your Skills, Then Go for the Record
Puzzle Rush is designed to test everything you have learned on BridgeDummy in a high-pressure format. The puzzles draw from the same pool as regular practice, so every puzzle you solve in normal mode sharpens your Puzzle Rush instincts.
If you are new, start with Survival. The slower pace gives you room to learn patterns without the time pressure. Once you feel confident reading hands quickly, switch to 2-Minute Rush and chase the leaderboard. Both modes are a great way to measure your progress over time.