Learn Bridge
Free guides covering bidding systems, conventions, defense, declarer play and scoring. Written by competitive players for players who want to improve.
Bidding Systems
Bridge Bidding System Guide: 2/1, SAYC, Acol + Free Bid Tool
What a bidding system in bridge is, with 2/1, SAYC, Acol, Precision and Polish Club compared, and a free tool that shows what any bid means in each system.
Acol Bidding System: Weak Notrump and Four-Card Majors
How Acol bidding works: the 12-14 weak notrump, four-card majors, limit raises and Benjamin twos, with sample auctions and quizzes to test your bids.
Acol vs 2/1 and Standard American: The Key Differences
Acol vs 2/1 and Standard American compared: weak vs strong notrump, four vs five-card majors, two-level responses, two-bids and a switching checklist.
Best Bridge Bidding System: Which One Should You Learn First?
Which bridge bidding system should you learn? Our pick by player and country: 2/1 Game Force in North America, Acol in Britain, and when Precision pays off.
Bridge Bidding Systems Compared: Opening Chart and Auctions
Opening chart for 2/1, SAYC, Acol, Standard French, Precision and Polish Club side by side, plus the exact auctions where the systems split, with a deal.
Bridge World Standard (BWS): The Expert Consensus System
Bridge World Standard explained: how the BWS system is built from expert polls, the BWS 2017 openings and conventions, the semi-forcing 1NT and BWS vs SAYC.
Five-Card Majors vs Four-Card Majors: How Each Style Works
Five-card majors vs four-card majors: what each opening promises, what to open without a five-card major, how raises change, and the real odds.
How to Write a Bidding System: Notes Template and Checklist
How to build a bidding system and write bridge system notes: start from a base, a notes template, what to write first, meta-rules and how to test them.
Kaplan-Sheinwold System: Weak Notrump and Five-Card Majors
The Kaplan-Sheinwold bidding system: a 12-14 notrump with five-card majors, forcing 1NT, inverted minors, the rebid ranges and how K-S compares with 2/1.
Polish Club Bidding System: The 1 Club Opening Explained
Polish Club (WJ) explained: what the 1 club opening shows, how to respond, opener's rebids, Multi 2 diamonds and a sample auction, with a quiz.
Precision Club System: How the Strong 1 Club Works
Precision bridge explained: the strong 1 club (16+), 11-15 openings, the nebulous 1 diamond, 2 diamond three-suiter, responses and a sample auction.
Precision vs 2/1: Strong Club or Two Over One Game Force?
Precision vs 2/1 Game Force compared: the strong club against natural openings, limited ranges, notrump, competition, weak spots and which to choose.
SAYC vs 2 Over 1: The Differences and Which to Play
SAYC vs 2/1 Game Force: what SAYC means, every response that changes, the forcing 1NT, a slam deal bid in both systems, and how to make the switch.
Standard French Bidding (SEF): Majeure Cinquième Explained
Standard French bidding (SEF) explained: five-card majors, a 15-17 1NT, 2 clubs fort indéterminé, the 2 diamond game force, and how SEF compares with 2/1.
Strong Club Systems: Precision, Blue Club, Moscito and More
Strong club systems explained: how a big 1 club works, Precision, Blue Club, Moscito and Polish Club, and strong club vs natural bidding, with a quiz.
Weak Notrump vs Strong Notrump: 12-14 or 15-17 1NT?
Weak notrump (12-14) vs strong notrump (15-17): how often each comes up, the penalty risk, how rebids change, the escape after a double, and which to play.
Bidding
Bridge Opening Bids: Chart, Points and Rules for Every Opening
The full bridge opening bid chart: how many points to open, which suit to choose, 1NT and 2NT ranges, strong 2 clubs, weak twos and preempts, with quizzes.
Competitive Bidding in Bridge: When to Compete and When to Pass
Competitive bidding in bridge: when to compete, the Law of Total Tricks, why -100 beats -110, balancing, sacrifices and the five level, with a deal and quiz.
Forcing 1NT Response in 2/1: Rebids, Semi-Forcing, Examples
How the forcing 1NT response works in 2/1: what it shows, opener's rebids, the three-card limit raise, the semi-forcing version and practice hands.
Four-Suit Transfers: 2♠ for Clubs, 2NT for Diamonds
Four-suit transfers over 1NT: 2♠ shows clubs and 2NT shows diamonds. Learn opener's fit-showing replies, how to invite in notrump, and when to use them.
Gambling 3NT Opening: Responses, Acol Version and Examples
The gambling 3NT opening: the solid minor it shows, pass-or-correct responses, the 4 diamond ask, the Acol version, two deals and how to defend.
How to Bid in Contract Bridge: Bidding Rules for Beginners
How bidding works in contract bridge: who bids first, what each bid means, the suit order, doubles and how the auction ends. The rules, a full deal and a quiz.
Jacoby Transfers in Bridge: How Transfers Work Over 1NT
Jacoby transfers explained: 2 diamonds shows hearts, 2 hearts shows spades. Super-accepts, every rebid for responder, interference and four quizzes.
Kickback and Minorwood: Key Card Asks in a Minor
How to ask for key cards when a minor is trumps: Kickback (4♦ for clubs, 4♥ for diamonds) and Minorwood (4 of the minor), with answers and examples.
Lightner Double: The Slam Double That Asks for a Lead
The Lightner double explained: why doubling a slam asks for an unusual lead, which suit to lead, the scoring behind it, and a full deal that it beats.
Minor Suit Stayman: The 1NT - 2♠ Ask for a Minor
Minor Suit Stayman explained: when to bid 2♠ over 1NT, what opener answers, how to find a minor-suit slam, and how the 1NT - 2♠ relay differs.
Multi 2 Diamonds: How the Multi 2D Convention Works
The Multi 2 diamond opening explained: the weak two in an unknown major, pass-or-correct responses, the 2NT ask, sample auctions and a simple defense.
Namyats Convention: 4C and 4D Transfer Openings Explained
Namyats explained: the strong 4 club and 4 diamond transfer preempts, responses, the slam relay, key cards, South African Texas and a slam deal.
Responding to Partner's Opening Bid: Bridge Responses Chart
How to respond to partner's opening bid: when to raise, when to bid a new suit or 1NT, with response charts for 1 of a suit, 1NT and 2 clubs, a deal and a quiz.
Serious 3NT and Last Train: Slam Tries After a Major Fit
Serious 3NT and Last Train explained: when 3NT shows real slam interest, how frivolous 3NT differs, and how the bid below game keeps a slam try alive.
Stayman Convention: Responses, Rebids and Practice Hands
How the Stayman convention works over 1NT and 2NT: opener's answers, every rebid, garbage and crawling Stayman, competition, and practice hands.
Walsh Style Responses: Bypassing Diamonds Over 1 Club
Walsh style in bridge: bypass diamonds to show a four-card major over 1 club, opener's 1NT rebid, the variations to agree, and a deal where it matters.
Weak Jump Overcalls: Hand Rules, Ranges and Responses
Weak jump overcalls in bridge: what counts as a jump, the hand you need at each vulnerability, how partner responds, and when a jump overcall is strong.
Defense
Opening Leads in Bridge: Who Leads and What to Lead
Opening leads in bridge: who leads (the defender on declarer's left), what to lead against notrump and suit contracts, which card, and the leads to avoid.
Bridge Defense Strategy: Tips for Better Defending
Improve your bridge defense with tips on signaling, counting, second-hand play, and when to lead trumps. Learn strategies that win more tricks.
How to Count Declarer's Tricks as a Defender
Count declarer's sure tricks to decide between active and passive defense. With a worked example deal and quiz.
Opening Leads Against a Suit Contract: What to Lead
What to lead against a suit contract: the order of preference, when a singleton or a trump lead wins, and the leads that cost tricks. Two solved deals.
Rusinow Leads: Second Highest of Touching Honors
Rusinow opening leads explained: the king from A-K, queen from K-Q, jack from Q-J, what partner learns, when to use them, and a deal they beat.
Standard Opening Leads Chart: Which Card to Lead in Bridge
The standard opening leads chart for bridge: the card to lead from every holding vs notrump and suits, Rusinow leads, and the worst leads to avoid.
Suit Preference Signals: Lavinthal and McKenney Explained
Suit preference signals in bridge: a high card asks for the higher suit, a low card for the lower. When they apply, Lavinthal discards and a full deal.
Upside-Down Signals: UDCA Count and Attitude Explained
Upside-down signals (UDCA) explained: low encourages, high discourages, low shows an even count. Why the method works, a full deal and practice quizzes.
What to Lead Against 3NT
How to choose your opening lead against 3NT: fourth best from your longest suit, top of a sequence, partner's suit, or a passive lead. With an example deal.
Declarer Play
Avoidance Play in Bridge: Keep the Danger Hand Off Lead
Avoidance play explained: how to keep the danger hand off lead with the right finesse, the hold-up, ruffing finesses, a full 3NT deal and quizzes.
Crossruff in Bridge: Technique, Rules and a Full Deal
How to crossruff in bridge: when to crossruff instead of drawing trumps, five rules, ruffing high, a full 4♠ deal and two quizzes.
Dummy Reversal in Bridge: Ruffing in the Long Hand
How a dummy reversal works: when ruffing in the long hand gains a trick, the ruff count, entries, a full 4♠ deal, defense and quizzes.
Loser on Loser in Bridge: When to Discard Instead of Ruff
Loser on loser explained: why you discard a losing card instead of ruffing, six uses, a full 4♠ deal checked double dummy, and two quizzes.
Morton's Fork in Bridge: The Coup Explained With a Deal
Morton's fork explained: how leading toward a king forces the ace, when the coup works, entries, a full 6♠ deal checked double dummy, quizzes.
Restricted Choice in Bridge: Finesse After an Honor Drops
The principle of restricted choice explained: why you finesse after an honor drops, the real 65% odds, a full 4♠ deal and two quizzes.
Trump Coup in Bridge: Trump Reduction and the Grand Coup
The trump coup explained: the ending, how to shorten your trumps, the grand coup of ruffing a winner, entries, a full 6♠ deal and quizzes.
Scoring
Bridge IMP Scale: Full IMP Table (0 to 24) and MP vs IMPs
The full WBF IMP scale from 0 to 24 IMPs in one table, how to turn a score difference into IMPs, and how matchpoints vs IMPs changes your game.
IMPs in Bridge: What They Are and How IMP Scoring Works
What IMPs mean in bridge, how a team board turns into IMPs, the swings worth knowing, and how IMP scoring should change your bidding and play.
Matchpoints in Bridge: How Matchpoint Scoring Works
How matchpoint scoring works in duplicate bridge: tops, ties and percentages, a fully scored board, and the tactics that win pairs games.
Fundamentals
What is Double Dummy Analysis in Bridge?
Learn what double dummy analysis means in bridge, how double dummy solvers work, and why they are the best benchmark for evaluating your play.
The Limitations of Double Dummy Analysis
Double dummy analysis assumes every player sees all 52 cards. See how this differs from real bridge, per Richard Pavlicek's study of 80,000 contracts.
How to Run a Bridge Simulation
Run a bridge simulation step by step: pick bidding or lead mode, set the hand constraints, generate matching deals, and read the double-dummy results.
What's New at BridgeDummy: August 2026
The BridgeDummy mobile app is live, partnership bidding runs on real boards, and simulations got a round of upgrades.
What's New at BridgeDummy: July 2026
Hand Insights research reports are live for premium members, the template library passed 150 scenarios, and partnership bidding is on the way.
What's New at BridgeDummy: November 2026
A shorter 10-puzzle Daily Challenge, Bridge for Fun, the Bidding Table, Bidding Challenges with your partner, suit combination review, and the iPhone app.
What's New at BridgeDummy: October 2026
Daily Suit Combos, a Community forum, MiniBridge for beginners, one Bidding Room, simulated-auction puzzles, and more.
Put theory into practice
Turn what you just read into reps: solve real hands and get instant 5-star feedback from double-dummy analysis.
Start Free PracticeLast updated April 2026