Beginners bidding rules

Terminology
Back

Follow these rules, cooperate with your partner, and find a good contract fast and easy.

Rule 1:

If you don't have anything – DO NOT bid.

Rule 2:

If you have something – BID.

Rule 3:

Bid what you want to play.

Rule 4:

The higher you bid the stronger you are → check the key words below.

Rule 5:

If you know you have a combined strength of 25+ HCP or 6.5+ HT, bid the game or show it to your partner with a game forcing bid.

Rule 6:

If you know you have 8 cards in ♥ or ♠ with your partner, set this suit as trumps.

Rule 7:

Bidding the suit twice show 6+cards, this suit should become trumps. 

Rule 8:

Bid your longest suit first. If you have 5 cards in two suits, bid the higher ranking one first. 

Rule 9:

Bidding 2 suits show at least 9 cards in both suits – 54+.

Rule 10:

Bid the slam if you have 34+ HCP or 8.5+ HT combined with your partner.

5 key words in the bidding you must know and understand

NF! – non-forcing

A bid that the partner can pass. It shows a narrow strength interval.

  • NT bids
  • repeating own suit
  • supporting the partner's suit.

F! – forcing one round

A bid that the partner should not pass. It shows a wide strength range. We can still have game strength. You cannot pass a bid that has no upper strength limit and it is not the game/slam contract.

  • bidding new suit is forcing to the nearest NT bid if we do not have a fit or to the next level with the fit
  • opening 2♣
  • bidding opponents suit
  • doubling for takeout

IN! – invitation to game

A bid that proposes your partner to play the game with a maximum or pass with a minimum. It shows a narrow interval and the contract that we should play.

  • bidding 2NT 
  • raising the partner to the 3rd level is an invitation to the game. Be careful with inviting to 5♣/♦, we need extra strength for the 5th level contract, we prefer to play 3NT with balanced hands.

GF! – game forcing

A bid that forces both players to bid the game. You should never pass below game level (3NT, 4♥/♠, 5♣/♦).

  • jump in the new suit to the 2nd level
  • bidding new suit on 3rd level
  • opening 2♦

SL! – slamish = invitation to play a slam

A bid that proposes your partner to play the slam with a maximum or the game with a minimum. It can be both limited or unlimited, but the bid promises at least 30 HCP, 7.5+ HT combined. Except of honor strength, we need length tricks to make 12, respectively 13 tricks.

  • jump in the new suit to the 3rd level
  • jump in the minor suit to the 4th level
  • bidding 4NT
  • jump in the Major suit to the 5th level
Bidding lessons
Bidding tool