Bridge Glossary
Looking to understand bridge terminology or clarify a word you’ve come across at the table? Explore clear definitions of essential bridge terms, from beginner basics to advanced concepts, and deepen your knowledge of the game.
Find any bridge-related word or expression you want to master. Whether you’re learning, improving your bidding system, or simply brushing up on vocabulary, this section helps you navigate the language of bridge with confidence.
A
Above the Line
Above the line in bridge refers to points that don't count toward game, including overtricks, penalties, and bonuses scored separately from bid contracts.
Accept
Accept in bridge means: responding positively to game-tries or slam-tries by bidding as invited, or completing a transfer bid as requested by partner.
According to Hoyle
According to Hoyle in bridge means following correct legal, ethical, customary, or technical procedures in play and conduct.
Ace
An ace in bridge is the highest-ranking card in each suit, worth 4 points in standard hand evaluation.
Ace from Ace-King
Ace from ace-king is a bridge opening lead convention where leading the ace specifically shows the king as well.
Ace-Showing Responses
Ace-showing responses in bridge are bids indicating possession or absence of specific aces after partner's strong forcing opening bid.
Ace-Value
Ace-value in bridge is a hand evaluation unit describing strength roughly equivalent to holding an ace, approximately 4 high-card points.
Aces and Spaces
Aces and spaces in bridge describes hands rich in top honors (aces) but lacking intermediates and lower honors, with no apparent notrump trick source.
Aces Over Two-Bids
Aces over two-bids is a bridge convention where responder immediately shows or denies aces in response to partner's strong two-bid opening.
Acol
Acol is a popular British bridge bidding system featuring natural bidding, four-card majors, and weak or split notrump openings.
Acol Two-Bid
An Acol two-bid in bridge is a strong forcing opening showing significant distributional strength, though not game-forcing in all variations.
Action
Action in bridge describes doubles showing extra values or maximum strength without specific offensive or defensive orientation.
Active
Active in bridge describes: aggressive players, defensive plays risking tricks to establish winners quickly, or any player except dummy during card play.
Adjusted Score
An adjusted score in bridge tournaments is an artificially assigned score compensating for irregular occurrences or rule violations.
Advance
Advance in bridge means: bidding, doubling, or redoubling after partner overcalls or doubles (verb), or any such action taken (noun).
Advance Control-Bid
An advance control-bid in bridge shows controls before an explicit trump suit agreement has been established.
Advance Sacrifice
An advance sacrifice in bridge is a preemptive sacrifice bid made before opponents have reached their intended contract level.
Advancer
Advancer in bridge is the partner of the player who first entered the auction after opponents opened, also called intervenor's partner.
Adverse
Adverse vulnerability in bridge (also unfavorable) means being vulnerable against non-vulnerable opponents, increasing penalty risks.
Aggregate
Aggregate scoring in bridge (also total-point scoring) adds raw duplicate scores from individual deals for overall session results.
Agree
Agree in bridge means designating or anointing a suit as the agreed trump suit for the partnership.
Agreed Suit
An agreed suit in bridge is one where partnership fit has been located and announced, or designated as the intended trump suit.
Agreement
Agreement in bridge is explicit partnership knowledge about the meanings of specific calls or defensive card-play signals.
Alarm Clock
An alarm clock in bridge (noun) is a call or defensive play intentionally alerting partner to an extraordinary situation.
Alarm-Clock
Alarm-clock in bridge (adjective) describes calls or defensive plays designed to alert partner to unusual situations requiring attention.
Alcatraz Coup
The Alcatraz Coup in bridge is a deliberate illegal failure to follow suit to gain information from opponents, a cheating tactic.
Alert
Alert in bridge tournaments is a technique where players notify opponents about unusual partnership agreements during the auction.
Amber
Amber vulnerability in bridge (UK slang) means both sides are vulnerable (see Vulnerability Conditions for full details).
American Bridge Association
The American Bridge Association (ABA) is a governing organization for bridge in America, one of several national bridge bodies.
American Contract Bridge League
The American Contract Bridge League (ACBL) is the largest bridge governing organization in North America, managing sanctioned tournaments and masterpoint awards.
American Whist Movement
The American Whist Movement is a team-of-four tournament movement format used in bridge competitions.
Amorphous
Amorphous in bridge describes bids admitting wide shape variety, often one-diamond openings that could be balanced, short, or natural.
Anchor Suit
The anchor suit in bridge is the guaranteed suit when a player shows a two-suiter with only one suit specifically identified.
Antipodean Squeeze
An antipodean squeeze in bridge is an advanced position where one opponent is squeezed, then the other is endplayed.
Antipositional
Antipositional in bridge describes calls placing or tending to place the less advantageously located partner as declarer.
Appeal
An appeal in bridge tournaments is a formal request to review a tournament director's ruling or decision.
Appendix Movement
An appendix movement in bridge tournaments is a method for adding an extra table without changing the number of deals played.
Approach Forcing
Approach forcing in bridge is a common bidding method where responder's new-suit bids are forcing on opener.
Apricot Sundae
Apricot sundae in bridge slang describes a weak heart-diamond two-suited hand, humorously called a red, sticky, unappetizing mess.
Arrow
An arrow in bridge tournaments is a physical marker indicating the North player's location at each table for proper scoring orientation.
Arrow Switch
Arrow switch in bridge tournaments is the revision of compass point designations during a session, changing player directions.
Artificial
Artificial in bridge describes: non-natural calls not indicating desire to play in the named strain, or bidding systems relying heavily on conventional meanings.
Asker
An asker in bridge is the player who uses an asking-bid (ace-ask, key-card-ask, trump-ask) or equivalent conventional request.
Asking Bid
An asking bid in bridge requests specific information about partner's hand, such as number of aces, controls, or support quality.
Asking Cue-Bid
An asking cue-bid in bridge (also California or Western Cue-Bid) bids opponent's suit to request notrump stoppers from partner.
Aspro
Aspro is a British bridge convention variant of Astro where two clubs shows hearts and another suit, two diamonds shows spades and a minor.
Assist
Assist in bridge is another term for raise, supporting partner's suit by bidding it at a higher level.
Astro
Astro is a bridge defensive bidding method over opponent notrump openings emphasizing two-suited hands through two-level conventional bids.
Astro Cue-Bid
Astro cue-bid in bridge is a direct cue-bid over suit openings showing four cards in an unbid major plus the lowest unbid minor.
Astronaut
An astronaut in bridge is the intervenor who makes bids using the Astro defense convention against one-notrump openings.
Attacking Lead
An attacking lead in bridge is an aggressive opening lead designed to establish tricks quickly through active defense.
Attitude
Attitude in bridge describes whether defenders want a suit led or want to show strength in it, typically shown as encouraging or discouraging.
Attitude Lead
An attitude lead in bridge is an opening lead or signal indicating a defender's encouraging or discouraging attitude toward a suit.
Attitude Signal
An attitude signal in bridge is a defensive card-play indicating whether defender encourages or discourages continuation of a suit.
Auction
The auction in bridge is the bidding phase where players compete for the right to name the final contract and declare.
Auction Bridge
Auction bridge is a predecessor card game to modern contract bridge, featuring different scoring rules and mechanics.
Automatic
Automatic in bridge describes squeezes that mature successfully regardless of which opponent holds the critical cards.
Autosplinter
Autosplinter in bridge is a call describing shortness in a hand with one long suit, such as showing the singleton in 6-3-3-1 distribution.
Average
Average in bridge is the mean arithmetic score on a deal or session in duplicate tournaments, used as a baseline for comparison.
Average-Minus
Average-minus in bridge is a moderately below-average matchpoint score, typically awarded when the scoring side commits an irregularity.
Average-Plus
Average-plus in bridge is a moderately above-average matchpoint score, typically awarded when opponents commit an irregularity.
Avoidance
Avoidance in bridge is a declarer play technique making it impossible, difficult, or expensive for a specific opponent to gain the lead.
B
Baby
(1) (slang, adjective) Describes a low-ranking card with little trick-taking value, such as “two baby hearts.”
(2) (adjective) Refers to a convention or bid made one level lower than usual, for example Baby Blackwood, where three notrump is used to ask for aces.
Back
The reverse side of a playing card, showing only the card design and not the rank or suit.
Back in
To bid or double after previously passing earlier in the auction.
Back preference
Supporting a suit originally bid by partner after partner has shown preference for a different suit earlier in the auction.
Back score
A written or electronic record tracking each player’s total scores across multiple rubbers or sessions.
Backward finesse
A finesse taken opposite to standard technique, usually to cater to an unusual card layout.
Backwash squeeze
A squeeze play where one defender is forced into underruffing, leading to the loss of control in a critical suit.
Bagel
(slang) A duplicate bridge score of zero on a board.
Bagger
(slang) Indicates suit length, such as “five-bagger” for a five-card suit.
Balance
(verb) To take action in the auction after opponents stop bidding.
(noun) The balancing action itself.
Balanced distribution
A hand pattern of 4-3-3-3, 4-4-3-2, or 5-3-3-2.
Balanced hand
A hand with no voids or singletons and at most one doubleton, typically fitting a balanced distribution.
Balancing
Entering or re-entering the auction based on inferred strength from partner and opponents.
BAM
Abbreviation for Board-A-Match scoring.
Bar
A bid or action that, by partnership agreement, forces partner to pass.
Bare
(slang) An honor or holding without small cards for protection, such as a bare king.
Barometer
A tournament format where partial results are available before play is completed.
Baron
(1) An early British bidding system.
(2) A club response to notrump that initiates up-the-line bidding of four-card suits.
(3) A slam-try bid one level below five or six of the agreed suit.
(4) A two-notrump response showing a strong balanced hand.
Baron grand-slam-try
A bid inviting a grand slam when partner has stronger trump support than previously shown.
Baron trump-ask
Another name for a Baron grand-slam-try.
Barrage
(noun) A preemptive bid designed to consume bidding space.
Barred
(1) Required to pass by law, such as after a penalty.
(2) Required to pass by partnership agreement.
Bart
An artificial two-diamond rebid used in specific spade-notrump-club sequences.
Bash
(slang) To bid directly to a contract without extensive exploration.
Bath
(slang) A large penalty score.
Bath coup
A defensive hold-up play after a lead from king-queen against ace-jack.
Beat
To defeat or set a contract.
Beaver
(slang) A redouble.
Becker
(1) A defense to one notrump openings.
(2) A suit-preference signal.
Bed
See Go to bed with.
Beer card
The seven of diamonds.
Bell
(slang) An encouraging signal, often an echo.
Belong to
Refers to which partnership can make the highest achievable contract on a deal.
Below the line
Points that count toward game, scored for tricks bid and made.
Benjamin
A method for opening two-bids, distinguishing weak majors from strong artificial bids.
Bergen raises
A structured set of raises after a major-suit opening showing specific point counts and trump length.
Bermuda Bowl
The premier world championship trophy for international team bridge.
Best
Describes the rank order of a card within a holding, such as “fourth-best.”
Better minor
An agreement to open the stronger minor suit with balanced hands.
Bid
A call stating both the number of tricks above six and the strain to be played
Biddable suit
A suit long or strong enough to be shown in the auction.
Bidder
(1) A player who makes a bid.
(2) (slang) A player known for aggressive bidding.
Bidding
The auction phase where players compete to name the final contract.
Bidding boxes
Devices used to make silent bids during face-to-face play.
Bidding Space
Bidding space in bridge refers to the available room in the auction before reaching game or other limiting levels.
Bidding system
A set of partnership agreements defining the meanings of bids.
Biff
(slang, verb) To trump a trick.
Big
(slang) Describes a bid that shows strength.
Big cassino
The ten of diamonds.
Big club
An artificial one-club opening showing strong values.
Birthright
A specialized rebid sequence showing either a very strong balanced hand or hearts.
Black suits
Spades and clubs.
Blackwood convention
A convention using four notrump to ask partner how many aces they hold.
Blank
(1) A void in a suit.
(2) (slang, noun) An unprotected honor.
(3) (slang, verb) To discard protecting cards.
Blind lead
An opening lead made without seeing dummy.
Blitz
(slang) A decisive or maximum-scoring win.
Blizzard
An extremely weak hand with little or no value.
Block
(verb) To prevent a suit from running by cutting off entries.
Blockbuster
(slang) An exceptionally strong hand.
Blocked
Describes a suit that cannot be cashed without first creating an entry.
Blocking
The act of causing a suit to become blocked.
Blue Club / Blue Team Club
A strong artificial one-club system popularized by Italy’s Blue Team.
Blue Team two diamonds
An opening bid showing a 4-4-4-1 distribution with strong values.
Bluhmer
A bid encouraging slam interest while denying values in partner’s short suit.
Board
(1) (slang) Dummy’s cards.
(2) A duplicate bridge card holder.
(3) (slang) A deal.
Board-A-Match
A team scoring method where each board counts as one point.
Body
Intermediate honor cards such as tens and nines.
Bolster
A partial stopper in a suit.
Book
(1) The first six tricks taken by declarer.
(2) Defensive tricks that nearly defeat a contract.
(3) Standard or textbook play.
Book player
(slang) A conservative player who follows standard methods.
Boost
(slang) To raise partner’s bid or push opponents higher.
BOSTON
Acronym meaning Bottom Of Something, Top Of Nothing.
Bottom
The lowest possible matchpoint score on a deal.
Bracket
A group of teams or pairs in a knockout event.
Bracketed
Describes a knockout event divided into rating-based sections.
Break
(1) The distribution of missing cards in a suit.
(2) To defeat a contract.
(3) To lead a suit for the first time.
Briar-Patch Coup
Illegal communication intended to mislead partner into taking the opposite action.
Bridge
A four-player partnership card game where players bid and play contracts.
Bridge World Standard (BWS)
A consensus bidding system based on expert opinion.
Bridge-O-Rama
An early public display system for bridge, replaced by vugraph.
Bring in
(slang) To make a contract or run a suit successfully.
Broken sequence
A non-consecutive honor holding, such as K-J-10.
Broken suit
A suit lacking solid honor sequences.
Brozel
A conventional defense to one notrump openings.
Bull
(slang) An ace, or a serious mistake.
Bullet
(slang) An ace.
Bump
(slang) Honors falling together or forcing them to do so.
Burn’s Law
A guideline stating you should have more trumps than the opponents.
Business double
A penalty double.
Bust
(slang) A very weak or disappointing hand.
Busy
Describes a card needed to stop an opponent’s winners.
Butt-in
(slang) To overcall.
Buy
(slang) To win the auction or find a needed card in dummy.
BWS
Abbreviation for Bridge World Standard.
By me
(slang) An improper way to say “pass.”
Bye
(noun) A round without play.
(adjective) A table or position that sits out in a movement.
Byzantine
A highly complex form of key-card Blackwood.
C
CAB
A British bidding system centered on an artificial two-club opening, featuring ace-showing responses and Blackwood-style slam investigation.
Caddy
An assistant to the tournament director, responsible for delivering boards to tables and collecting them after play.
Calcutta
A bridge tournament format in which players or teams are auctioned, with betting proceeds used as prize money.
California Cue-Bid
A cue-bid of an opponent’s suit that asks partner to bid notrump if they hold a stopper in that suit.
Call
Any legal action in the auction: a bid, pass, double, or redouble.
Canapé
A bidding approach in which a player bids a shorter suit before revealing a longer one.
Cappelletti
A defensive convention against one-notrump openings: double shows penalty, two clubs shows a one-suited hand, two diamonds shows both majors, and two of a major shows that major plus an unspecified minor. Also known as Hamilton.
Captain
The partner responsible for making final decisions in the auction on behalf of the partnership.
Capture
(1) To win a trick.
(2) To prevent an opponent’s card from winning a trick by playing a higher card of the same suit
Card
(1) One of the 52 playing cards in a deck.
(2) (slang) To dominate opponents by consistently holding stronger hands.
(3) To apply defensive signaling agreements.
Card combination
Another term for a suit holding or suit combination.
Card pusher
(slang) A weak or unskilled player.
Card reading
The skill of deducing the distribution and location of unseen cards based on the bidding and play.
Carding
(1) Partnership agreements governing defensive signals.
(2) The act of signaling or choosing cards on defense.
Cardrack
(slang) A player believed to receive unusually strong hands.
Cards
(1) (slang) Honor cards or high cards.
(2) (slang) Extra high-card strength beyond what bidding has shown.
Carryover
Scores from earlier sessions that count toward the final results of a multi-session tournament.
Case
(adjective) Refers to the last remaining card of a suit, such as the “case spade.”
Cash
(slang) To take a trick using a winning card.
Cash out
(slang) To take all immediate winners before opponents can interfere.
Casher
(slang) A sure trick-winner if led, typically immune to being trumped.
Casino count
Also called cassino count; a hand-evaluation method equal to high-card points plus spade length, often used for fourth-seat opening decisions.
Cat
(slang) Dummy.
Caught speeding
(slang) Receiving a heavy penalty after making an overly aggressive bid.
Cavendish variation
A later version of four-deal bridge where the dealer’s side is non-vulnerable on the second and third deals.
CCCC points
Also called Four C’s points; a specific hand-evaluation method.
Chair
(slang) A seat or position at the table.
Challenge the Champs
A long-running monthly bidding contest published in The Bridge World.
Change of suit
A bid in a suit that has not previously been bid by either partner.
Charity game
A bridge tournament in which net proceeds are donated to a charitable cause.
Cheapest bid
The lowest-ranking legal bid available in a given auction.
Check
(slang) An improper way to say “pass.”
(noun) A stopper (mainly used in Australia and New Zealand).
Checkback Stayman
A version of the Stayman convention used after opener rebids one notrump to further explore major-suit fits.
Chicago
The original form of four-deal bridge, with the dealer’s side vulnerable on the second and third deals.
Chicane
A void in a suit.
Children
(slang) Small trumps; low trump cards.
Chinese finesse
A deceptive lead of an unsupported honor in hopes of misleading the opponents or inducing a favorable play.
CHO
Acronym for Center Hand Opponent; often a joking or critical reference to one’s partner.
Choice-of-games cue-bid
A cue-bid asking partner to choose the best strain for game, rather than inviting slam.
Chuck
(slang) To throw away points or a contract through careless error.
Chukker
A unit of four deals in four-deal bridge, roughly equivalent to a rubber.
Chunky
Describes a suit with strong honors and intermediates that plays well without partner’s help.
Claim
A statement declaring how many remaining tricks a player will win or concede, ending play early.
Claimer
(slang) A contract that is trivially easy to make; a laydown.
Clash squeeze
A squeeze where at least one threat card would fall under a winner if guarded.
Clear a suit
To remove blocking cards so a suit can be run.
Closed hand
Declarer’s hand (as opposed to dummy).
Closed room
A tournament room where spectators are not allowed.
Club
An organized group of bridge players or the venue where they play.
Clubs
The lowest-ranking suit in bridge, symbolized by ♣.
Coded nines and tens
A defensive lead agreement where a nine or ten shows either zero or two higher honors.
Coffeehousing
(slang) Improper table talk intended to distract or mislead opponents.
Cold
(slang) Certain to succeed; easily makable.
Cole
An artificial two-club rebid by opener used to describe several hand types, including a minimum raise with three-card support.
Color
(1) Red or black suits.
(2) (slang) Any one of the four suits.
Colorful cue-bid
A cue-bid over a major opening showing a two-suited hand in the other color.
Colors
Vulnerability conditions.
Combination
Another term for a suit holding.
Combination finesse
A finesse involving multiple honors or one finesse leading into another.
Combination shot
(slang) A line of play offering more than one possible chance of success.
Come down to
To retain as the final remaining cards.
Come-on (signal)
A defensive signal encouraging partner to lead or continue a suit.
Comic notrump
A one-notrump overcall showing either a strong balanced hand or a weak hand with a long suit.
Commit to
(1) Force the auction to a particular level.
(2) Decide on a firm bidding strategy.
Comparative scoring
Duplicate scoring based on how one pair’s score compares to others holding the same cards.
Compass direction (or point)
Table direction: North, South, East, or West.
Competitive auction
Competitive auction
Competitive bidding
Bidding that occurs when both partnerships are involved in the auction.
Competitive double
A double showing general values rather than clearly being for takeout or penalt
Compound squeeze
A complex squeeze involving pressure on both opponents across multiple suits.
Concede
To give up remaining tricks without playing them out.
Condone
To continue play after an irregularity, forfeiting the right to a penalty.
Congratulatory jack
A defender’s unnecessary jack played to acknowledge partner’s good defense.
Constructive
Describes a bid that shows definite, useful values.
Constructive raise
A single raise showing more strength than a minimum raise.
Content
A highly improper way to say “pass.”
Contested auction
Another term for a competitive auction.
Contract
(noun) The agreed number of tricks and strain to be played.
(verb) To reach such an agreement through bidding.
Contract bridge
The modern form of bridge where only bid-and-made tricks count toward game.
Control
(1) Ability to stop immediate losers in a suit.
(2) Command of trump play.
(3) A call requesting clarification of an unusual hand.
(4) A hand-evaluation method counting aces and kings.
(5) A stopper (usage discouraged by The Bridge World).
Control-bid
A bid showing first- or second-round control of a suit, usually for slam exploration.
Controlled psychic
A psychic bid supported by partnership agreements on how it will be clarified later.
Convention
A partnership agreement assigning artificial meanings to certain bids.
Convention card
A written summary of a partnership’s bidding agreements.
Convert
(1) Change the function of a call, such as passing a takeout double for penalty.
(2) Alter the meaning of future bidding obligations.
Cooperative double
A double asking partner to decide whether passing or bidding is best.
Cooperative-penalty double
A double suggesting penalty unless partner has strong offensive distribution.
Cooperative-takeout double
A double suggesting takeout unless partner has strong defensive values
Correct
To adjust the contract to another suit offered by partner, often implicitly
Count
(1) The number of cards an opponent holds in each suit.
(2) To deduce those numbers.
(3) To total winners, losers, or tricks.
count
A hand or partnership total measured in high-card points.
Count signal
A defensive signal showing either even/odd length or exact suit length.
Counter
A defensive technique that reduces opponents’ entries by careful card choice.
Counterplay
Another term for counter.
Coup
(1) A brilliant play.
(2) A trump-shortening maneuver.
(3) Any play creating a favorable end position.
(4) (verb) To execute such a play.
Coup without a name
Another name for the Scissors coup.
Coup-en-passant
A play where a lower trump wins by being favorably positioned behind a higher trump.
Couped
Having been damaged by a trump coup.
Court cards
Kings, queens, and jacks.
Courtesy bid
A bid made with limited strength to give partner another chance to act.
Cover
To play a higher card over another at the same trick.
Cover an honor with an honor
A traditional guideline recommending playing a higher honor over an opponent’s honor.
Cover cards
Honors that compensate for partner’s expected losers.
Crack
(slang) A penalty double.
Crash
(1) (slang) To force honors together.
(2) CRASH: an artificial defense showing two-suited hands against big-club openings.
Crawling Stayman
Another name for Garbage Stayman
Criss-cross
(1) Interchanging meanings of suit bids.
(2) Bidding the weaker suit first.
(3) Using multiple suits artificially.
Crisscross
A squeeze position where entries exist but no accompanying low cards.
Crocodile coup
Playing an unnecessarily high card to avoid being forced on lead later.
Cross
To move play to the opposite hand.
Cross-attitude signal
Showing suit preference or attitude through a card played in another suit.
Crossruff
A line of play where both hands repeatedly ruff.
Crowhurst
A two-club inquiry after a wide-range one-notrump opening.
Cue
Short for cue-bid.
Cue-bid
A bid in a suit bid or suggested by the opponents, often used to show strength or ask for information.
Cue-bid double
A double that replaces a cue-bid when an opponent has intervened.
Culbertson Four-Five Notrump
A cooperative slam convention using four notrump to exchange information.
Culbertson system
An early and influential bidding system that shaped standard bridge bidding.
Curse of Scotland
The nine of diamonds.
Curtain card
A written hand record used in duplicate bridge to prevent errors.
Cut
(1) To divide the deck.
(2) To select partners randomly.
(3) (slang) To ruff.
(4) The qualifying score in a tournament.
Cut in
(slang) To join a game already underway.
Cut-around
A form of rubber bridge where partnerships change after each rubber.
Cutthroat bridge
A three-player variant of bridge played individually.
D
D.I.
Abbreviation for Declarative-Interrogative.
Danger hand
The opponent who would benefit most from gaining the lead, often because they can lead a threatening suit or cash winners.
Danger suit
A suit that is risky to allow opponents to lead because it may cost tricks or jeopardize the contract.
Dangerous hand
Another term for danger hand.
Datum
An artificial reference score for a deal, usually the average or trimmed average of all results, used for scoring comparisons.
Dead
(1) (slang) Lacking an entry.
(2) (slang) Refers to the reopening seat after two passes (“dead seat”).
Deal
(1) To distribute the cards.
(2) The 52 cards as dealt to the players.
(3) One complete unit of bridge, including bidding and play.
Dealer
(1) The player who distributes the cards.
(2) The player who makes the first call in the auction.
Death holding
A suit holding that suggests poor prospects, such as small cards in partner’s side suit when another suit is trumps.
Deck
The full pack of 52 playing cards used in bridge.
Declaration
Another term for contract.
Declarative-Interrogative (D-I)
Describes a four-notrump bid used as a general slam try.
Declare
To play the hand as declarer.
Declarer
The player who first bid the strain of the final contract and who controls both their own hand and dummy during play.
Decompression
A situation where ruffing tricks become possible because an opponent cannot discard enough cards from a side suit.
Deep finesse
A finesse taken against more than one missing honor.
Defeat (the contract)
To prevent declarer from taking the required number of tricks; to set the contract.
Defend
To play as one of the declarer’s opponent
Defender
(1) One of the two opponents of the declarer.
(2) A player on the side that did not open the bidding
Defense
(1) Declarer’s opponents.
(2) The methods used by those opponents during play.
(3) A countermeasure against an opponent’s bidding convention.
Defensive bid
(1) A bid intended to interfere with the opponents’ auction, often a sacrifice.
(2) Any bid made by the defending side.
Defensive bidding
(1) The use of sacrifices or obstructive bids.
(2) Bidding from the perspective of the non-opening side.
Defensive trick
(1) A holding likely to win a trick on defense.
(2) Sometimes used synonymously with honor trick.
Delayed
Refers to an action taken later than usual in bidding or play, such as delayed support or a delayed duck.
Delayed Stayman
Use of the Stayman convention after opener rebids one notrump.
Demand bid
A forcing bid, especially a strong artificial opening such as a two-bid.
Denial bid
A bid that shows weakness, lack of fit, or absence of a particular feature.
Denomination
The strain of a contract: one of the four suits or notrump.
Dentist’s Coup
The removal of an opponent’s safe exit card, forcing them into a damaging lead later.
DEPO
Acronym for Double Even Pass Odd, a method for showing aces or key cards after interference over Blackwood.
Deschapelles coup
The deliberate sacrifice of a high card to create an entry to part
Deuce
The two of a suit, the lowest-ranking card.
Develop
To establish winners in a suit.
Devil’s bedposts
The four of clubs.
Devil’s coup
(1) An elopement that prevents opponents from scoring a trump trick.
(2) Commonly used when the opposing trumps are exactly five cards including queen and jack.
Diagram
A visual layout showing player positions and card holdings.
Diamonds
The third-highest-ranking suit in bridge, symbol ♦.
Dink
(slang) To force an opponent to play a particular card or take a particular action.
Direct position
The seat immediately following another player in clockwise order.
Direction
(1) A player’s seat: North, East, South, or West.
(2) One of the partnerships: North-South or East-West.
Directional asking-bid
A bid, often a cue-bid, designed to make partner declarer at notrump.
Director
The official in charge of running a duplicate bridge event.
Discard
(verb) To play a card from a suit other than the one led.
(noun) A card played in this way.
Discouraging card
A defensive signal telling partner not to lead or continue a suit.
Discovery play
A play designed to gain information about the distribution of unseen cards.
Distribution
(1) The number of cards a player holds in each suit.
(2) The division of a suit among all four players.
(3) (slang) The lie of the missing cards.
Distribution points
Extra valuation points awarded for shortness or length in a trump contract.
Distributional values
Playing strength derived from suit length and shortness rather than high cards.
Ditch
(slang) To discard, usually a loser.
Dive
(slang, noun) A sacrifice bid.
Dog
(1) (slang) A very weak hand.
(2) (verb) To bid cautiously or conservatively.
DONT
A defense to one-notrump openings: double shows a one-suiter, two spades is natural, and other two-level bids show two-suiters including a higher suit.
DOPE
Acronym for Double Odd Pass Even, a response scheme after interference over Blackwood.
DOPI
Acronym for Double 0 Pass 1, another ace-showing method after interference over Blackwood.
Double
(noun) A call that increases the stakes and scoring values.
(verb) To make such a call.
Double finesse
A finesse taken against two missing honors.
Double into game
A double that turns a part-score contract into a game-level contract.
Double jump
A bid one level higher than a minimum jump in the same strain.
Double key-card
A form of key-card Blackwood in which two kings count as key cards.
Double knockout
A tournament format where a team is eliminated only after losing twice.
Double negative
A second weak or discouraging action by a player who has already shown weakness.
Double raise
A raise of partner’s suit by two levels.
Double squeeze
A squeeze where each defender is pressured in two suits.
Double stopper
A holding that can prevent opponents from running a suit even after two leads.
Double-Barreled Stayman
Another name for Two-Way Stayman.
Double-dummy
(1) With all four hands exposed.
(2) (slang) Perfect play assuming full knowledge.
(3) (slang, verb) To criticize someone for not playing as if all hands were known.
Doubler
A player who makes a double.
Doubleton
A holding of exactly two cards in a suit.
Down
Defeated; set.
Down the line
(1) Bidding the higher of equivalent options.
(2) Playing the highest available card.
Draw
To remove opponents’ trumps, as in “draw trumps.”
Drive out
To force an opponent to give up a particular card or honor.
Drive to
(slang) Force the auction to reach a particular level.
Drop
(1) To fall under a higher card.
(2) (slang) To lose a trick or contract through error.
Drop-Dead Stayman
Another name for Garbage Stayman.
Drury
(1) Originally, a two-club response by a passed hand showing maximum values.
(2) In modern usage (Drury-Fit), shows support for partner’s major with extra strength.
Drury-Fit
Drury-Fit
Dry
(slang) A holding without supporting cards in the suit.
Dub
(slang) A poor player.
Duck
(1) To play low while holding a higher card.
(2) To deliberately lose a trick.
Duckling (Ugly Duckling)
(slang) A hand with 5-3-3-2 distribution.
Duffer
(slang) A weak or unskilled player.
Duke
(1) (slang) A very strong hand.
(2) See also Iron Duke.
Duke of Cumberland deal
A classic swindler’s deal from whist where superior cards fail to take tricks due to trump position.
Dumb bidder
A mechanical bidding device that allows silent auctions without bidding boxes.
Dummy
(1) Declarer’s partner.
(2) That player’s exposed cards.
Dummy hand
The exposed hand of declarer’s partner.
Dummy play
The play of both declarer’s hand and dummy by declarer.
Dummy reversal
Another term for reversal.
Dump
(1) (slang) To discard.
(2) (slang) To lose deliberately.
Duplicate bridge
A form of bridge where multiple pairs play the same deals for comparative scoring.
Duplication of distribution
Both partners holding the same suit lengths.
Duplication of values
Both partners holding strength in the same suit, often inefficient.
Dynamic notrump
A one-notrump opening showing a strong but unbalanced hand.
E
East
One of the compass points; one of the players in the standard diagram, usually seated to the right of declarer.
East-West
One of the two partnerships; the defending side in the standard diagram.
Eastern Scientific
A bidding style featuring five-card majors, forcing notrump responses, strong two-over-one responses, and strong notrump openings with transfers.
echo
The play of a high card followed by a low card in the same suit, commonly used as a signal to show attitude (encouragement or discouragement) or parity (even or odd count).
EHAA
Acronym for Every Hand An Adventure; a system based on very weak (10–12 point) notrump openings, four-card majors, and light weak two-bids in all four suits.
eight clubs
(slang) Four clubs doubled.
eight diamonds
(slang) Four diamonds doubled.
eight ever, nine never
A general guideline for finessing against a missing queen: finesse with a combined holding of eight or fewer cards, but not with nine or more.
eight hearts
(slang) Four hearts doubled.
eight spades
(slang) Four spades doubled.
Eighth
Within or heading an eight-card holding. Example: jack-eighth = Jxxxxxxx.
Eleven Rule
See: Rule of Eleven.
Eleventh
Within or heading an eleven-card holding. Example: ace-king-eleventh.
elimination play
A technique involving the removal of an opponent’s safe exit cards, often as preparation for an endplay.
elope
(Of a trump that is not high) win a trick by ruffing.
elopement
A method of play based on scoring tricks by ruffing with trumps that are not high.
Ely
Another name for Culbertson Four-Five Notrump, named after Ely Culbertson.
EMP
European Match Points.
empty
Without any significant cards other than those specified. Example: ace-empty-fifth.
en passant
(Of a trump that is not high) winning a trick by favorable position behind a higher trump.
encouraging
(1) A defensive signal asking partner to lead or continue a suit.
(2) A bid suggesting partner continue toward a higher contract.
encouraging card
A defensive card-play signal suggesting strength in a suit or asking partner to lead or continue it.
encrypted
Describing a call or signal whose meaning depends on a partnership agreement that changes or becomes fully interpretable only after certain information is revealed during the deal.
encrypted auction
See: encrypted call.
encrypted call
A call whose meaning can be deciphered only by a player who knows or later discovers specific information, under a prior partnership agreement.
encrypted signal
A defensive signal whose interpretation depends on information known only to one side, as defined by prior agreement.
end-signal
A call indicating that the next bid by that player will attempt to name the final contract.
ending
(1) A late-play position with few cards remaining.
(2) A card position with a distinctive structural feature, often critical to the outcome.
endplay
(1) (verb) Force an opponent to lead disadvantageously.
(2) (noun) The resulting position.
enter
(1) In play, use an entry to gain the lead in another hand.
(2) In bidding, make the first bid for your side after the opponents have opened.
(3) In a tournament, participate.
entry
(1) A card that can win a trick and transfer the lead.
(2) A tournament seating assignment or receipt.
entry squeeze
A squeeze in which one of the squeezed player’s cards blocks an entry.
entry-shifting squeeze
A squeeze that exploits the ability to win tricks in the squeeze suit from either hand after the squeeze operates.
equal
(1) Of cards, having equivalent rank.
(2) See: Vulnerability conditions.
equal-level conversions
See: minimum equal-level conversions.
equals
Cards adjacent in rank (e.g., king and queen) and therefore equivalent in trick-taking power when held together.
escape
Change to a different contract, usually by switching strains.
escape suit
A usually long suit that provides a safe retreat if bidding becomes dangerous.
establish
Make cards into winners by forcing out higher opposing cards.
established
(1) Of a suit, consisting entirely of winning cards.
(2) Of a revoke, no longer correctable.
estimate
Guess the score achieved on a deal or session.
etiquette
Courteous behavior at the bridge table.
European Match Points
A predecessor of International Match Points, balancing comparative and quantitative scoring.
even
(1) Of a suit split, exactly equal.
(2) Of a card, having an even number of pips.
(3) Of a suit holding, of even parit
exclusion
(Of a call) Showing or asking about length or controls in all suits except the one named.
Exclusion Blackwood / Exclusion Key-Card Blackwood
A Blackwood variant asking for aces or key cards while excluding a specific suit.
exhaust
Completely deprive a player of cards in a suit.
exit
Get off lead.
exit card
A card used to effect an exit.
expert
A highly skilled player.
exposed card
(1) A card whose face becomes visible at an incorrect time.
(2) A card subject to a penalty and required to be played.
exposed hand
Dummy.
extended responsive double
An informatory double made by overcaller’s partner after the opponents raise.
extra trick
An overtrick.
extra values
Significantly more strength or potential than previously shown.
extras
(slang) Extra values.
F
face
(1) Place upwards on the table.
(2) The side of a card showing its suit and rank; the front
face card
A king, queen, or jack.
face down
With the face not showing.
face up
With the face showing.
faced
(adjective, of a card) Exposed with the face up.
factoring
The adjustment of matchpoint scores to account for unequal conditions.
fall
Drop; succumb to higher cards
false preference
Showing preference for a suit despite holding more cards in another suit previously shown by partner.
falsecard
An unnecessarily high card (or, less often, a low card instead of a high one) played with deceptive intent.
fast
(Of a trick or high-card values) Immediately cashable.
fast arrival
A bidding method in which jumping to a level already forced denies extra values.
Example: 1♥–2♣–2♠–4♠ shows spade support but a minimum two-club response; 1♥–2♣–2♠–3♠ shows extra strength.
See also: slow arrival.
favorable
See: Vulnerability conditions.
feature
(1) A high honor, usually an ace or king (sometimes ace, king, or queen).
(2) Any noteworthy holding in a suit, such as a high honor or shortness.
feel
See: Table feel.
fence
See: On the fence.
fert
(slang) An opening bid showing a very weak hand.
field
(1) The totality of entries in a tournament.
(2) (slang) The presumed majority of entrants who will take the same action.
(3) (slang, adjective) Describing an action expected to be taken by the field.
(4) (verb, slang) Correctly interpret an unusual action by partner.
fielder’s choice
(slang) A situation in which one side can obtain a good result either by bidding its own contract or by doubling the opponents.
fielding a psych
Guessing that partner’s action was a psychic bid before it is formally disclosed.
Fifth
Within or heading a five-card holding.
Example: jack-fifth = Jxxxx.
filler
A middle-ranking card; a card needed to solidify a suit.
final contract
The last bid made.
finesse
(1) (verb) Attempt to profit from the location of unseen cards, usually by not playing the highest card available or by discarding instead of ruffing.
(2) (noun) A play (or occasionally a call) that makes such an attempt.
first hand
The dealer.
first-round control
An ace or a void.
fish
(slang) A weak player, especially in a gambling context.
Fishbein
A defense to preemptive openings: double for penalties; the cheapest suit bid for takeout.
Fisher double
A double of three notrump after a one-notrump opening, asking for a club lead if Stayman was used or a diamond lead if responder raised directly.
fit
(1) The degree of support for partner’s suit.
(2) The combined partnership holding in a suit.
fit-showing jump (fit-jump
A jump bid showing both length in the suit bid and support for partner’s suit.
five-ace Blackwood
Key-card Blackwood.
five-card majors
An agreement that an opening bid in a major suit shows at least five cards.
five-or-seven
(adjective, of a deal) Likely to make either 11 or 13 tricks after the expected opening lead.
fix
An unfortunate or unfair result caused by chance or by opponents being undeservedly rewarded.
fixed
(1) (slang) Placed in a difficult position.
(2) (slang) Likely to suffer a poor result due to opponents’ successful action.
Flannery
A two-level opening (usually 2♦, sometimes 2♥) showing a minimum opening hand with four spades and five or more hearts.
flat board
(1) In team play, a board with no swing.
(2) In pairs, a board on which nearly all results are the same.
flat hand
(slang) A hand with 4-3-3-3 distribution.
flight
(1) A subevent in a flighted tournament.
(2) A subgroup of players in a flighted tournamen
flighted
(1) Describing a tournament with separate events for different rating categories.
(2) Describing a tournament in which all players compete together but prizes are awarded by category.
Flint
A three-diamond response to a two-notrump opening, preparatory to signing off in a major suit.
flip-flop
See: Jordan.
flitch
A tournament restricted to married couples.
float
(1) (bidding, slang) Be followed by passes.
(2) (play, slang) Lead and duck; allow a card to win without covering it.
(3) (play, slang) Be led and not covered.
floor
See: Put on the floor.
flower bid
A fit-showing jump (possibly regional usage).
flower movement
A variant of the Howell movement that increases logistical uniformity at the cost of balanced compariso
fly
(slang) Play a winning card immediately on someone else’s lead of its suit.
follow
Play a card of the suit led.
force
(1) Make a forcing bid.
(2) Require an opponent to use a trump.
(3) Reduce an opponent’s trump length.
(4) A forcing call.
force to
Ensure that the bidding reaches at least a specified level (e.g., game, the five-level, slam).
forcing
Requiring, by agreement, that partner not pass.
forcing call
A call requesting that partner not pass.
forcing club
(1) A strong, artificial one-club opening.
(2) A system built around such an opening.
forcing notrump
A one-notrump response to a major-suit opening that is forcing but not necessarily strong.
forcing pass
A pass that asks partner to take action rather than allow the opponents to play the contract undoubled.
forcing raise
A raise showing sufficient strength to commit to at least game.
Forcing Stayman
Stayman in which a rebid of two of a major by the two-club bidder is forcing.
forcing to …
A call requiring partner not to pass until the stated level is reached or a penalty double occurs.
forcing-pass system
A system in which a pass in first or second position shows opening-bid values.
fork
(1) Tenace.
(2) An ending.
(3) Any position presenting a choice between losing plays.
Foster Echo
The play of the second-highest card in partner’s suit by a player not playing third hand high.
fouled board
A board on which the cards are no longer in their original layout.
four by three (Four by triple three)
4-3-3-3 distribution.
four C’s points
A complex hand-evaluation method incorporating controls, distribution, and suit quality; typically calculated by computer.
four-card majors
Bidding methods permitting opening bids in four-card major suits.
four-deal bridge
A rubber-bridge variant consisting of four deals with rotating vulnerability; also called Chicago.
four-or-six
(adjective, of a deal) Likely to make either 10 or 12 tricks after the expected opening lead.
four-suit transfers
(1) A Jacoby-transfer variation allowing transfers to all four suits.
(2) Any notrump response structure including transfers to every suit.
fourchette
Tenace.
Fourteen Thirty (1430, 14-30)
A Key-Card Blackwood variant in which 5♣ shows 1 or 4 key cards and 5♦ shows 0 or 3.
fourth
(slang) A player needed to complete a foursome.
Fourth
Within or heading a four-card holding.
Example: jack-fourth = Jxxx.
fourth hand
(1) The player fourth to bid.
(2) The player fourth to play to a trick.
fourth-suit forcing
(1) A bid of the only unbid suit that does not promise a desire to play in that suit.
(2) Often also asking partner not to bid notrump without a stopper.
fragment bid
A raise showing support for partner’s suit and shortness in another suit.
freak
A hand or deal with unusual distribution.
free
Made when bidding is not required to give partner another chance to act.
free bid
A bid made when it is not necessary to bid to keep the auction open.
free double
A double that is not a double into game.
free finesse
A finesse that can be taken without risk.
free position
The position directly after both opponents have bid.
free raise
A free bid that raises partner’s suit.
frigid
(slang) Certain to make; cold.
frivolous
(adjective, of a slam try) Mild rather than serious.
front
The face of a card.
front of card
Using the same responses to a one-notrump opening as to a one-notrump overcall.
frozen
(Of a suit) Not safely playable by one or both sides without loss.
fruit machine Swiss
A convention using 4♣ or 4♦ after a major opening to show extra-value game raises with key cards or shortness.
fulfill
Make enough tricks to satisfy the contract.
Futile Willie
A character from S. J. Simon’s writings; hence, a player who courts disaster through excessive imagination.
G
gadget
(slang) A specialized convention designed to handle a particular bidding situation rather than a broad class of auctions.
gambit
The deliberate taking of a risk—such as sacrificing a trick—in hopes of achieving a larger gain.
gambling three notrump
A three-notrump opening bid based on a long, solid minor suit and little outside strength.
game
A contract that scores 100 or more trick points below the line.
game all
A vulnerability condition in which both sides are vulnerable.
game bid
A bid that, if made, scores a game for the declaring side.
game contract
A contract at the game level.
game in
Vulnerable.
game invitation
A bid asking partner to bid game with maximum values for earlier actions.
game-force
A call that requires the partnership to continue bidding until game is reached.
game-forcing bid
A bid that obligates partner to keep bidding until a game contract is achieved.
game-try
A game invitation.
garbage
(slang) Weak values; a poor hand, especially relative to earlier bidding.
Garbage Stayman
An agreement allowing a two-club response to a one-notrump opening on a weak hand, rather than game-invitational values.
Gardener
A one-notrump overcall showing either a strong notrump hand or a weak hand with an escape suit.
Gardener notrump overcall
A one-notrump overcall showing either a strong notrump with a stopper in opener’s suit or preemptive jump-overcall values.
Gazzilli
An artificial, multi-purpose two-club rebid by opener used to clarify hand type and strength.
Gerber
A conventional four-club bid asking partner to show the number of aces held
Ghestem
A jump overcall in an unbid suit showing a two-suited hand, often the two unbid suits.
ghoulie
A form of bridge that omits play of non-game part-scores and uses goulash-style dealing after unplayed outcomes.
gin
(1) (slang) An exclamation meaning “I claim the remaining tricks.”
(2) (adjective) Certain to be made.
giraffe
A hand with 7-4-1-1 distribution.
give
(1) (slang) Assume a holding for planning play or defense.
(2) (slang) Bid.
Gladiator
A notrump-response method based on a two-club puppet bid to two diamonds.
go for
(1) (slang) Be set, often for a large penalty.
(2) (slang) Fall victim to a swindle or deception.
(3) (slang) Attempt a contract, usually at a higher level.
go in with
Play a high card; rise with.
go to bed with
(slang) Fail to take a trick with a card that could have won it in normal play.
Gold Cup
The premier British knockout team championship.
Goldwater’s Rule
“Always accept a lead out of turn,” based on the belief that a confused opponent will play poorly.
good
(1) Established.
(2) Consisting entirely of winning cards.
good-bad two notrump
An artificial two-notrump bid allowing distinction between two strength ranges, clarified by subsequent bidding.
Goren system
A point-count-based bidding system derived from Culbertson methods that became the dominant American system for decades.
goulash
(1) A deal in which cards are distributed in packets rather than singly.
(2) A deal using unshuffled cards from a passed-out or unplayed deal, often creating extreme distributions.
grab
(slang) Bid a strain not previously named by either partner, often to become declarer in that strain.
grab it
(slang) Bid notrump—usually three notrump—to become declarer.
grand coup
A reduction-type trump coup in which side-suit winners are ruffed.
Grand National
A major American national team championship featuring qualification followed by knockout play.
grand slam
A contract at the seven level.
grand-slam force
An artificial bid, typically five notrump, asking partner to bid a grand slam with two of the top three trump honors.
green
See: Vulnerability conditions.
Grosvenor Gambit
A play that cannot gain and may lose, but is likely to break even because an opponent assumes it must be sound.
guard
(1) A holding that prevents opponents from establishing a suit; a stopper.
(2) To prevent opponents from establishing winners.
(3) Cards held for that purpose.
(4) A low card protecting a higher card in the same suit.
guard squeeze
A squeeze in which discarding a busy card exposes partner to a finesse.
guarded
(Of a card, usually an honor) Protected by sufficient lower cards.
Guggenheim
See: Mrs. Guggenheim.
guide card
A card or document instructing a pair where to move during a duplicate bridge movement.
gulpic
(slang) A very weak opening bid.
H
half table
A table at which only one pair is present, typically used to balance a movement.
Hamilton
See: Cappelletti (a defense to a one-notrump opening showing specific suit patterns).
Hamman's Rule
A guideline: When three notrump is a reasonable alternative, choose three notrump.
hand
(1) One of the four players. (2) The cards held by a player. (3) A deal.
hand
A suffix indicating position in the bidding order (first hand = dealer, second hand = player to dealer’s left, etc.).
hand hog
A player who frequently tries to become declarer, sometimes at the expense of partnership judgment.
hand pattern
The distribution of cards among the four suits; suit distribution.
hand record
A permanent record of a deal, showing the cards, bidding, and play.
handicap
A score adjustment based on relative strength or seeding.
handle
See: handling charge.
handling
See: handling charge.
handling charge
An additional element of risk in a contract, often involving ruffs, entries, or timing, beyond a single key play such as a finesse.
hang
(1) Stop short of bidding game. (2) (slang) Make a bid, such as a game try, that pressures partner to take further action.
hard values
Aces and kings, considered reliable sources of quick tricks.
Hawaii
(slang) A 5–0 suit split.
HCP
Abbreviation for high-card points, usually counted by the 4-3-2-1 method.
hearts
The second-highest-ranking suit; symbol ♥.
heavy
(slang) A hand stronger than typical for the bidding or action taken.
hedgehog
A squeeze involving many threats or potential winners.
help
Raise.
help suit
A suit in which partner's high cards will be particularly valuable, often used in game-try bidding.
Herbert
A conventional one-step bid used to deny values or to show weakness in certain sequences.
hesitation
A noticeable break in normal tempo during bidding or play.
hexagonal squeeze
A squeeze applying pressure to both opponents in three suits.
Hideous Hog
A fictional character created by Victor Mollo, known for rude behavior and remarkable bridge success.
high
(1) Of winning rank. (2) Currently the highest remaining card in a suit. (3) (slang) High-card points.
high card
An honor card.
High Gerber
A five-club bid used to ask partner for the number of aces.
high-card points
A method of hand valuation assigning point values to honors, commonly using the 4-3-2-1 scale.
high-low signal
An echo; a signal using a high card followed by a low card to show interest or count, depending on partnership methods.
highs
(slang) High-card points.
hippogriffs
A fictional "green suit," used humorously in bridge literature.
hippopotamus
A squeeze that becomes effective when a card in a suit without an immediate threat is ruffed or lost.
hit
(1) (slang) Double. (2) (slang) Ruff. (3) (slang, of dummy) Come down or appear on the table.
hit the table
(slang) Pass.
hog
See: hand hog.
hold
(1) (slang) Prevent declarer from gaining extra tricks. (2) Possess a specific card or combination. (3) Retain the lead. (4) Win a trick with a card that is not the highest remaining in the suit.
hold off
Delay taking a winner.
hold-up
The act of holding off.
holding
The cards held in a particular suit or in a player's hand.
honeymoon bridge
A form of bridge designed for two players.
honor
An ace, king, queen, jack, or ten.
honor bonus
A bonus awarded in some forms of scoring for holding specific honor combinations.
honor-tricks
A hand-evaluation method assigning values to honors and honor combinations.
honors
A holding that qualifies for an honor bonus.
hook
(slang) A finesse.
hop
(slang) Play a high card.
horse and horse
See: Vulnerability conditions (both sides vulnerable).
hot
(slang) Vulnerable.
hot versus not
(slang) Vulnerable against non-vulnerable opponents.
house player
An employee of a rubber-bridge club who plays to complete a table.
Howell movement
A duplicate-bridge movement in which pairs change direction and may play against most or all other pairs.
Hoyle, Edmund
An eighteenth-century authority on Whist and other games, whose name became synonymous with correct play.
huddle
Think for an extended time before acting.
HUM
Acronym for Highly Unusual Method, referring to certain unconventional bidding systems.
hybrid scoring
A scoring method combining matchpoint comparison with quantitative scoring elements.
I
IBPA
The International Bridge Press Association is the leading global organization representing bridge writers and journalists who cover the card game.
icy
In bridge terminology, an icy contract refers to a hand that is extremely easy to make, also called a laydown or cold contract with guaranteed success.
idiot coup
An idiot coup in bridge is a strategic play that creates an opportunity for an opponent to make a mistake or foolish decision during the game.
idle
An idle card in bridge is one that can be safely discarded or played without causing any loss of tricks or strategic advantage.
illegal
In bridge, an illegal play or bid is any action that violates the official Laws of Bridge and the established rules of the game.
immaterial squeeze
An immaterial squeeze in bridge is an advanced squeeze play where the opponent loses a tactical or strategic asset without immediately conceding a trick.
imp (noun)
International Match Points (IMPs) are a specialized scoring system used in competitive bridge tournaments to compare results across multiple tables.
imp (verb)
To imp means to calculate and convert bridge deal scores into International Match Points for tournament scoring purposes.
impossible negative
An impossible negative is a bridge bidding convention using a one-diamond response to a strong one-club opening with positive values and three-suited distribution.
impropriety
An impropriety in bridge refers to any violation of the proprieties or ethical standards of play, distinct from technical violations.
imps
IMP scoring is a bridge game format where results are measured using International Match Points rather than traditional scoring methods.
in back of
In bridge positional terms, being in back of a player means sitting to their left, also described as being behind or over that player.
in front of
In bridge table position, being in front of a player means sitting to their right, also described as being under that player.
in the money
Being in the money in bridge tournaments means finishing with a ranking that qualifies for a cash prize or award.
in the pocket
A card that is in the pocket is favorably positioned or located onside, meaning it sits where it benefits a particular player.
in-card
An in-card in bridge terminology refers to an entry card that provides access to a particular hand or dummy.
incomplete rubber
An incomplete rubber is an unfinished rubber bridge game where the required two game wins have not yet been achieved by either partnership.
individual
An individual bridge tournament is a competitive format where each player's score is tracked separately rather than as part of a consistent partnership.
inferential problem
An inferential problem in bridge is a logic puzzle requiring players to make deductions from unusual or limited information about the hand.
informatory (showing values)
An informatory call in bridge is one that shows hand strength and point values to help partner evaluate game or slam prospects.
informatory (takeout)
An informatory bid in bridge, often called a takeout bid, asks partner to choose a suit rather than declaring the bidder's own suit.
instant matchpoints
Instant matchpoints is a bridge scoring method using a predetermined scale rather than comparing actual results from other tables in play.
insufficient bid
An insufficient bid is an illegal bridge bid that fails to be higher in rank than the previous bid in the auction sequence.
insult
The insult in bridge slang refers to the 50-point or 100-point bonus awarded for successfully making a doubled or redoubled contract.
insurance bid
An insurance bid is a sacrifice bid in bridge made against opponents' high-scoring contracts to limit potential point losses.
interference
Interference in bridge occurs when opponents make calls that disrupt or complicate your partnership's natural bidding sequence and communication.
interior sequence
An interior sequence in bridge is a sequence of cards that doesn't include the highest card in the suit, such as holding K-J-10 where J-10 form the sequence.
intermediate (card)
An intermediate card in bridge typically refers to cards ranking around ten or nine, between high honors and low spot cards.
intermediate (jump overcall)
An intermediate jump overcall shows moderate opening-bid strength with a strong six-card or longer suit, falling between weak and strong overcalls.
intermediate (opening two-bid)
An intermediate two-bid opening shows hand strength just below forcing opening bid requirements, stronger than weak but not game-forcing.
International Bridge Press Association
The International Bridge Press Association (IBPA) is the premier professional organization for bridge journalists, writers, and media covering the game worldwide.
international match points
International Match Points (IMPs) is a duplicate bridge scoring system that converts raw point differences into a standardized scale for team competition.
intervene
To intervene in bridge means making the first non-pass call for your side after an opponent has opened the bidding.
intervening bid
An intervening bid, also called an overcall, is a bid made after an opponent has opened, showing suit length and values.
intervenor
The intervenor is the player who makes the first call (double, overcall, or cue-bid) after an opposing opening bid, serving as advancer's partner.
intervention
Intervention in bridge refers to any competitive action (double, overcall, or cue-bid) made after opponents have opened the bidding.
inverted
Inverted bridge conventions use meanings opposite to natural or traditional interpretations, such as inverted minor suit raises where strength levels are reversed.
inverted minors
Inverted minors is a bidding convention where a single minor-suit raise shows strength while a double raise shows weakness, reversing traditional methods.
invitation
A bridge invitation is a bid that requests partner to continue bidding to game or slam if holding maximum values for previous bidding.
invitational
An invitational bid in bridge offers partner the choice to pass with minimum values or bid game with maximum strength.
Iron Duke
The Iron Duke is bridge slang for a significantly high-ranking card with strong trick-taking power, often used when second hand plays high.
irregularity
An irregularity in bridge is any occurrence during play that doesn't conform to the official Laws of Bridge and requires director intervention.
isolate (hand)
To isolate a hand in bridge means to remove the last remaining entry to the opposite hand, cutting off access to that hand's cards.
isolate (menace)
To isolate a menace card means to remove one opponent's guard or protection for that card, making it effective against only one defender.
J
jack
The jack is the fourth-highest-ranking card in each suit in bridge, ranking below the queen and above the ten in trick-taking value.
jack denies
Jack denies is a bridge opening lead convention where leading the jack indicates the player does not hold any higher honor cards in that suit.
Jacoby transfers
Jacoby transfers are popular bridge bidding responses to one notrump where two diamonds shows hearts and two hearts shows spades, with similar transfers available after two notrump openings.
Jacoby two notrump
The Jacoby two notrump convention is a bridge response showing game-forcing values and support for partner's major suit opening, often including shortness-showing rebids to explore slam potential.
jam
In bridge slang, to jam means to make a preemptive bid that disrupts opponents' bidding space and communication.
jettison
A jettison in bridge is a strategic discard, particularly throwing away a blocking card to improve declarer's or defender's ability to run a suit.
Jordan
The Jordan convention is a bridge bidding response of two notrump over opponent's takeout double, showing constructive values in support of partner's opened suit.
Josephine
The Josephine convention, also known as the Grand Slam Force, is a bridge bidding tool invented by Ely Culbertson and named after Josephine Culbertson to investigate trump quality for grand slams.
Journalist leads
Journalist leads is a comprehensive bridge opening lead system using attitude leads against notrump contracts and Rusinow leads with count signals against suit contracts.
jump (adjective)
A jump bid in bridge refers to any bid made at a higher level than the minimum required, indicating extra strength or distributional values.
jump (verb)
To jump in bridge bidding means to make a bid at a higher level than the minimum required to be legal in the auction sequence.
jump-overcall (noun)
A jump-overcall is a bridge bid made over an opponent's opening at a level higher than minimum, such as bidding two spades or three clubs over a one-heart opening.
jump-overcall (verb)
To jump-overcall in bridge means to make an overcall at a level higher than necessary, typically showing intermediate strength and a good suit.
jump-preference (noun)
A jump-preference in bridge is a return to partner's first suit at a higher level than minimum, such as bidding three clubs in the sequence one club-one heart-one spade-three clubs.
jump-preference (verb)
To jump-preference in bridge means showing support for partner's first suit by jumping a level higher than necessary, indicating extra values.
jump-raise (noun)
A jump-raise is a bridge bid that supports partner's suit at a level higher than minimum, such as raising one heart to three hearts directly.
jump-raise (verb)
To jump-raise in bridge means to support partner's suit by bidding at least one level higher than a simple raise, showing specific hand strength based on system agreements.
jump-rebid (noun)
A jump-rebid in bridge is a same-suit rebid at a higher level than minimum, such as rebidding three clubs after opening one club and hearing a one-heart response.
jump-rebid (verb)
To jump-rebid in bridge means to rebid your own suit at a level higher than necessary, typically showing a strong six-card or longer suit with extra values.
jump-shift (noun)
A jump-shift is a bridge bid in a new suit at a level higher than necessary, traditionally showing a very strong hand and forcing to game.
jump-shift (verb)
To jump-shift in bridge means to bid a new suit with a jump, indicating exceptional strength and usually establishing a game-forcing auction.
junior
A junior bridge player is someone under the age of 25 who competes in youth divisions and age-restricted events in bridge tournaments.
junk
Junk in bridge slang refers to poor-quality cards, particularly low-value honor cards like jacks and queens without supporting honors, or useless spot cards.
K
K-S
K-S is the abbreviation for Kaplan-Sheinwold, a bridge bidding system featuring five-card majors and weak notrump openings.
Kaplan Inversion
The Kaplan Inversion is a bridge bidding convention where a one notrump response to one heart shows spade length, while one spade serves as a relay bid similar to forcing notrump.
Kaplan-Rubens points
Kaplan-Rubens points, also known as Four C's points, is a bridge hand evaluation method that considers controls, cards in long suits, and distributional features.
Kaplan-Sheinwold
Kaplan-Sheinwold is a popular bridge bidding system featuring five-card major suit openings and weak notrump opening bids, developed by Edgar Kaplan and Alfred Sheinwold.
KCB
KCB is the abbreviation for Key-Card Blackwood, an advanced bridge convention that treats the trump king as a fifth ace when asking for key cards.
keeping the bidding open
Keeping the bidding open in bridge means refusing to pass when holding minimal values, giving partner another opportunity to describe their hand or compete.
key card
A key card in bridge refers to an ace or the king of the agreed trump suit, crucial cards for evaluating slam potential and trick-taking ability.
key-card (adjective)
Key-card conventions in bridge include all four aces plus the king of the agreed suit as the five key cards when evaluating slam contracts.
Key-Card Blackwood
Key-Card Blackwood is a modified version of the Blackwood convention in bridge where the trump king counts as a fifth ace when asking for controls.
kibitzer (busybody)
In bridge terminology, a kibitzer can also refer to an onlooker who offers unwanted comments or advice during play, generally considered poor etiquette.
kibitzer (spectator)
A kibitzer in bridge is a spectator who watches the game, particularly common in club play and online bridge platforms.
kick (blunder)
In bridge slang, to kick can mean to blunder away tricks or make a serious error that costs the contract or match.
kick (double)
To kick in bridge slang means to make a penalty double, showing strength and expecting to defeat the opponent's contract.
kick (ruff)
Kick is bridge slang for trumping or ruffing a trick, using a trump card to win when void in the suit led.
Kickback
Kickback is a Key-Card Blackwood variation in bridge where the asking bid is one step above four of the agreed trump suit rather than the traditional four notrump.
Kickback Turbo
Kickback Turbo is an advanced bridge convention combining control bidding sequences where the cheapest slam try shows even key cards and higher bids show odd key cards.
Kickbo
Kickbo is bridge shorthand for Kickback Turbo, a slam investigation method using control bids to show key card parity during auction sequences.
kill (defeat)
In bridge, to kill a contract means to defeat or set it, preventing declarer from making the required number of tricks for success.
kill (entry)
To kill a hand in bridge means to eliminate entry cards, making dummy or a defender's hand inaccessible and unable to contribute winning tricks.
kill (overtake)
Kill in bridge can mean overtaking a card to prevent it from winning the trick, often used in defensive situations to maintain communication.
king
The king is the second-highest ranking card in each suit in bridge, beaten only by the ace and crucial for both trick-taking and control evaluation.
KISS
KISS is a bridge acronym meaning Keep It Simple, Stupid, advising players to choose straightforward bidding and playing strategies over complicated conventions.
kiss of death
The kiss of death in bridge matchpoint scoring is a minus 200 result when the maximum contract available is only a part-score, usually a very poor score.
kitty
Kitty is bridge slang for dummy, the declarer's partner whose hand is placed face-up on the table after the opening lead.
knock
To knock in bridge means tapping the table to indicate a pass, though this is considered improper procedure and verbal passing is preferred.
knock out
To knock out in bridge means forcing out a high card to establish lower cards in the suit as winners for future tricks.
knockout (squeeze)
A knockout squeeze in bridge is a three-suit squeeze where one losing option for the defender is discarding a trump card.
knockout (tournament)
A knockout bridge tournament is a competition format where winning pairs or teams advance to subsequent rounds while losers are eliminated from the event.
Kock-Werner redouble
The Kock-Werner redouble is a bridge convention where redoubling a penalty double of an overcall requests partner to bid, functioning as takeout.
Kokish
Kokish is an alternate name for the Birthright convention in bridge, a relay structure used after strong two-club openings to show hand types.
Kokish relay
The Kokish relay is the two spade bid in a Birthright sequence, a conventional bid used in strong opening auctions to describe hand patterns.
L
Landy
The Landy convention in bridge is an overcall of the cheapest club bid over an opponent's notrump opening, showing length in both major suits (hearts and spades).
last train
Last train is a bridge slam convention where the final available bid below game level serves as a general slam try, unrelated to the actual suit bid.
late play
Late play in bridge tournaments refers to contesting a board after the scheduled session time, typically due to an irregularity, delay, or director ruling.
Lavinthal
Lavinthal is another name for suit-preference signals in bridge defense, where card selection indicates preference for one suit over another.
law of total tricks
The law of total tricks is a bridge principle stating that the total number of tricks both sides can take equals the combined length of their trump suits.
Lawful
Lawful in bridge (capitalized) means bidding strategically according to the Law of Total Tricks, typically competing to a level equal to your partnership's total trumps.
laydown
A laydown contract in bridge is one that is extremely easy to make, also called cold, frigid, or icy, with virtually guaranteed success.
lead (noun)
The lead in bridge is the first card played to any trick, establishing the suit that other players must follow if possible.
lead (verb)
To lead in bridge means to play the first card to a trick, a crucial decision that can determine the outcome of the entire hand.
lead back
Lead back in bridge means returning the same suit that partner led earlier, particularly important when partner made the opening lead.
lead through
To lead through in bridge means to play a card from the right-hand side of a particular player, often leading through strength.
lead through strength
Lead through strength is a defensive bridge principle where you play a suit when honor cards lie to your left, potentially trapping them.
lead up to
To lead up to in bridge means playing a card from the left-hand side of a particular player, often leading up to weakness.
lead up to weakness
Lead up to weakness is a bridge defensive principle where you play a suit when no honors lie to your right, maximizing trick potential.
lead-directing bid (or double)
A lead-directing bid or double in bridge is a call that requests partner to make the opening lead in a specific suit, often used in competitive auctions.
lead-directing raise
A lead-directing raise is a bridge bid that supports partner's suit while suggesting a particular opening lead if the opponents win the contract.
leader (opening)
The opening leader in bridge is the player who makes the first lead of the entire hand, typically the player to declarer's left.
leader (trick)
The leader in bridge is the player who must play the first card to a trick, establishing which suit will be played.
leap
A leap in bridge bidding is a jump bid, especially one that skips more than the minimum level required to be legal.
Leaping Michaels
Leaping Michaels is a bridge convention using a jump to four of a minor over an opponent's weak two-bid to show a two-suited hand with that minor and the unbid major.
leave in
To leave in a bridge double means to pass partner's penalty double rather than bidding, converting it to penalty rather than takeout.
lebensohl
Lebensohl (typically lowercase) is a bridge convention using a two notrump relay to three clubs, distinguishing weak and strong responses after interference over one notrump.
ledger
A ledger in bridge, also called a back-score, is a record of cumulative scores or results kept throughout a rubber bridge session.
lefty
Lefty is bridge slang for left-hand opponent, the player sitting directly to your left at the table.
leg
In bridge slang, a leg refers to a game won toward rubber, with having one leg meaning a partnership is vulnerable.
legal
A legal bridge bid or play is one that conforms to the official Laws of Bridge and is permissible under the rules.
length
Length in bridge refers to the number of cards held in a particular suit, an important factor in hand evaluation and bidding.
length points
Length points are valuation points awarded in bridge hand evaluation for holding long suits, typically beyond four cards in a suit.
level (auction)
In a bridge auction, a level represents the distance between consecutive bids in the same suit or notrump, measured in five bidding steps.
level (contract type)
The level attribute in bridge describes whether a contract is classified as a part-score, game, or slam based on total tricks bid.
level (tricks)
The level in bridge indicates the number of tricks contracted for, with the one-level requiring seven tricks, two-level requiring eight tricks, and so on.
LHO
LHO is the bridge abbreviation for left-hand opponent, the player sitting to your immediate left at the table.
lift
Lift is bridge slang meaning to raise partner's suit, showing support and additional values for the suit bid.
light (down)
In bridge scoring terms, being light means falling short of the contract, such as two light meaning down two tricks.
light (openings)
Light openings in bridge are based on lower strength requirements than sound openings, accepting more aggressive opening bid standards.
light (values)
A light bid in bridge indicates one lacking in high-card values or point count, near the minimum requirement for that action.
Lightner double
The Lightner double is a bridge convention where doubling a slam contract suggests an unusual or unexpected opening lead from partner.
limit (define)
To limit your hand in bridge means to precisely define its strength and distribution through your bidding sequence and calls made.
limit (maximum)
The limit in bridge slang refers to the maximum potential of a contract, such as our limit was four spades meaning that's the highest makeable contract.
limit bid
A limit bid in bridge describes hand strength and distribution fairly precisely, with defined upper and lower strength ranges.
limit raise (invitational)
A limit raise in bridge is a raise that invites partner to bid game, showing values just below game-forcing strength.
limit raise (one to three)
A limit raise from one to three in bridge shows strength just below game-forcing values, typically 10-12 points with good trump support.
limited
A limited bridge call has specified minimum and maximum strength requirements, with the upper range below the maximum theoretically possible.
line (approach)
A line in bridge refers to declarer's or defenders' general approach and strategy, such as a line of play or line of defense.
line (scorecard)
The line on a bridge scorecard separates points that count toward game (below the line) from bonus points scored above the line.
line (up/down)
In bridge bidding, up the line and down the line refer to bidding suits in ascending or descending order of rank.
link
A link in bridge squeeze positions is an entry card in a suit that also contains a menace card, crucial for executing the squeeze.
little cassino
Little cassino (or little casino) refers to the deuce of spades in bridge, a term borrowed from the card game Casino.
little slam
Little slam is an alternate term for small slam in bridge, a contract to take twelve of the thirteen tricks available.
live (auction)
A live auction in bridge is one where opponents haven't limited their strength, making it more dangerous to enter the bidding.
live (not ruffed)
In bridge, if rounds of a suit live, it means they won't be ruffed by opponents, allowing you to safely cash those tricks.
live (preponderance)
To live in bridge slang means to hold the preponderance of high cards in a suit, as in bid where I live meaning name your strong suit.
local
Local bridge tournaments are the lowest competitive level, typically club-level or small regional events open to area players.
lock (certainty)
A lock in bridge slang refers to a contract or situation that is a virtual certainty to succeed or occur as expected.
lock (lead placement)
To lock in bridge means to place the lead irrevocably in a particular opponent's hand, often strategically disadvantageous for them.
locked
Being locked in bridge means restricted to or away from a hand, such as locked in dummy (unable to exit) or locked out of dummy (unable to enter).
LOL
LOL in bridge stands for little old lady, referring to an innocent-appearing player who may be more skilled than they seem.
long
A long suit or hand in bridge has greater length than average or more cards in a suit than partner's corresponding holding.
long cards
Long cards in bridge are the remaining cards in a suit after all other players are exhausted and void in that suit.
long hand
The long hand in bridge is the partnership hand holding more trump cards than the other hand, important in trump management.
long suit
A long suit in bridge is one with unusually great length, typically six or more cards, providing a source of tricks and distribution.
loose
Loose in bridge slang describes a freewheeling, aggressive playing style that tends toward overbidding or dangerous competitive bidding.
loser (trick)
A loser in bridge is a trick that must be lost, or a card that cannot win under current circumstances when played.
loser (valuation)
A loser in bridge hand valuation refers to the losing trick count method, a unit of negative evaluation for missing top honors.
loser-on-loser
Loser-on-loser is a bridge card-play technique where declarer deliberately plays two losing cards to the same trick to gain a strategic advantage.
losing trick count
The losing trick count (LTC) is a bridge hand evaluation method counting losers based on missing aces, kings in doubleton-plus suits, and queens in three-card-plus suits.
love
Love in bridge scoring means no score, as in love all (neither side vulnerable) or love score (no part-score for either side).
low (adjective)
A low card in bridge is one without significant trick-taking ability, typically spot cards below the ten.
low (noun)
Low in bridge refers to cards of insignificant trick-taking ability, used in phrases like ace-low or three low to describe holdings.
low-high signal
A low-high signal in bridge defense involves playing a relatively higher card than one previously played in the same suit to convey information.
LTC
LTC is the abbreviation for losing trick count, a bridge hand evaluation method based on counting potential losing tricks in each suit.
lurk
To lurk in bridge means to pass over right-hand opponent's opening bid, lying in wait with a strong hand rather than overcalling.
lurker (passer)
A lurker in bridge is a player who passes over right-hand opponent's opening bid, typically with a strong hand waiting to act later.
lurker (trump)
A lurker in bridge slang also refers to a low trump card held by defenders that can disrupt declarer's plans unexpectedly.
M
m (lower case)
In bridge bidding discussions, lowercase m indicates an unspecified minor suit (either clubs or diamonds).
M (upper case)
In bridge bidding discussions, uppercase M indicates an unspecified major suit (either hearts or spades).
MacGuffin
A MacGuffin in bridge is a card that creates a dilemma: playing it exposes one danger while keeping it exposes another danger to the partnership.
main suit
The main suit in bridge is a bidder's or declarer's longest suit, especially one intended as the primary source of tricks in the contract.
major penalty card
A major penalty card in bridge is an honor card or any card deliberately exposed prematurely, subject to specific penalty card laws.
major suit
The major suits in bridge are spades and hearts, which score higher bonuses than minor suits and are often preferred for game contracts.
major tenace
A major tenace in bridge is holding the first and third-highest outstanding cards in a suit, such as ace-queen before the suit is played.
make (capture)
Make in bridge can mean to capture or win a trick or specified number of tricks during the play of the hand.
make (fulfill)
To make a contract in bridge means to fulfill it by taking the required number of tricks contracted for in the bidding.
make (noun)
A make in bridge slang refers to a successfully fulfilled contract that achieves the number of tricks bid by declarer.
make up
To make up in bridge means to join a game to complete a foursome, providing the fourth player needed to start.
mama-papa
Mama-papa bridge is slang for simple, straightforward bridge without complex conventions or sophisticated bidding systems.
marionette (noun)
A marionette in bridge is a transfer bid after which partner usually makes the cheapest bid but can bid higher with special strength.
marionette (verb)
To marionette in bridge means to use a marionette transfer convention, asking partner to relay or show specific hand features.
marked
A marked card in bridge is one whose location is known based on the previous bidding or play, eliminating uncertainty about its position.
marked finesse
A marked finesse in bridge is a finesse taken against a card whose location is already known from the bidding or previous play.
master (adjective)
A master card in bridge is the highest outstanding card remaining in a suit, guaranteed to win the next trick in that suit.
master (noun)
A master in bridge is an expert player, often one who has achieved significant masterpoint rankings and competitive success.
master bid (brilliant)
A master bid in bridge is an imaginative, possibly brilliant bid made with fewer values than typically associated with such actions.
master bid (sarcastic)
A master bid used sarcastically in bridge refers to an unusual bid that leads to disaster rather than success.
master hand
The master hand in bridge is the partnership hand with predominant trump length, crucial for trump control and management.
Master Solvers' Club
The Master Solvers' Club is a long-running monthly bidding contest in The Bridge World magazine featuring expert discussion of challenging problems.
mastermind
To mastermind in bridge slang means taking extreme or unusual bidding actions based on highly detailed assumptions about partner's hand.
masterpoint
A masterpoint is a unit of measurement in bridge tournaments that tracks player achievement and competitive success, awarded based on finish position.
match (knockout)
A match in bridge is a unit of play in knockout and team competitions where two teams compete over multiple boards.
match (team event)
A bridge match consists of a substantial number of deals played against the same opponents with results combined into one scoring unit.
matchpoint (verb)
To matchpoint in bridge means to calculate and assign the comparative score on a deal using the matchpoint scoring method.
matchpoints (scoring)
Matchpoint scoring in bridge awards one point for each pair beaten and half a point for each pair tied on a board.
matchpoints (units)
Matchpoints are the scoring units used in duplicate bridge's most common scoring method, emphasizing consistency across multiple boards.
Mathe (asking bid)
Mathe as an asking bid in bridge locates shortness in responder's hand after a direct limit raise of a major suit opening.
Mathe (defense)
The Mathe convention is a defense against strong club openings where double shows majors and one notrump shows minors.
matrix
A matrix in bridge describes a generic layout of cards, usually illustrating an ending position such as a squeeze or endplay.
maximal overcall
A maximal overcall in bridge is a bid leaving opponents no bidding room below the next level of their suit, such as two hearts over one spade.
maximal overcall double
A maximal overcall double is doubling a maximal overcall or its raise as a game invitation in competitive bridge auctions.
maximum
A maximum hand in bridge is relatively strong for the previous calls made, at the upper end of the range shown.
McCabe Adjunct
The McCabe Adjunct is a bridge convention using two notrump response to weak two-bids as puppet to three clubs before signing off.
McKenney
McKenney is another name for suit-preference signals in bridge defense, indicating which suit partner should switch to.
member (of a table)
A member of a bridge table simply means a player participating in the game at that table.
menace
A menace card in bridge is one that opponents must guard to prevent it from becoming a winner, crucial in squeeze plays.
Merrimac coup
The Merrimac coup in bridge is sacrificing a high card to remove an opponent's crucial entry at the right timing.
Michaels cue-bid
The Michaels cue-bid is a bridge convention using direct cue-bids of opponent's suit to show two-suited hands, typically both majors or a major plus minor.
middle honors
Middle honors in bridge are the kings, queens, and jacks, ranking between aces and tens in card value.
mini notrump
A mini notrump in bridge is a one notrump opening showing less than standard strength, typically 9-12 or 10-12 high-card points.
mini- (prefix)
The mini- prefix in bridge indicates lesser strength or weaker requirements than the usual version of that convention or bid.
mini-splinter
A mini-splinter in bridge is a splinter bid showing game-invitational values with shortness rather than game-forcing strength.
minimum
A minimum hand in bridge is relatively weak for the previous calls made, at the lower end of the range shown.
minimum equal-level conversions
Minimum equal-level conversions is a bridge agreement that doubler's new suit at the same level doesn't promise extra strength.
Minnie
Minnie is bridge slang for minimum, referring to the lower end of a hand's strength range for previous bidding.
minor honor
A minor honor in bridge is a lower-ranking honor card, usually referring to queens, jacks, or tens.
minor penalty card
A minor penalty card in bridge is a non-honor card below jack rank that was inadvertently exposed prematurely during play.
minor suit
The minor suits in bridge are diamonds and clubs, which score lower bonuses than major suits for game contracts.
minor tenace
A minor tenace in bridge holds the second and fourth-highest outstanding cards in a suit, such as king-jack before the suit is played.
minor-suit Stayman
Minor-suit Stayman is a bridge convention asking partner (usually the notrump opener) to show four-card or longer minor suit length.
minor-suit Swiss
Minor-suit Swiss is a bridge convention using a double jump in a higher-ranking suit responding to a minor opening to show strong support.
Minorwood
Minorwood is a key-card Blackwood variant in bridge where four of the agreed minor suit asks for key cards, also called Trumpwood.
mirror (distributions)
Mirror distributions in bridge means identical suit patterns between two hands, such as both holding 4-4-3-2 distribution.
mirror (movements)
Mirror tournament movements in bridge are simultaneously held in parallel, such as Mirror Mitchell with two separate sections running concurrently.
misbid (noun)
A misbid in bridge is an inappropriate bid that is the wrong type or misdescribes the hand to partner, distinct from over or underbidding.
misbid (verb)
To misbid in bridge means to make an error by selecting the wrong bid type or one that misdescribes your hand to partner.
misfit
A misfit in bridge occurs when partnership hands have poor support for each other's long suits despite distributional hands, lacking an eight-card fit.
Mississippi Heart deal
The Mississippi Heart deal is a famous bridge swindle from whist where solid hearts and black-suit honors still can't make more than six tricks.
Mitchell movement
The Mitchell movement is a bridge tournament format where pairs maintain fixed compass directions and only play against pairs in the opposite direction.
mixed (partnership)
A mixed bridge partnership consists of one male and one female player competing together as a pair.
mixed (properties)
Mixed in bridge describes calls or strategies having varying or conflicting properties, objectives, or characteristics.
mixed (raise)
A mixed raise in bridge has both preemptive and constructive elements, serving dual purposes in competitive auctions.
mixed (scoring)
Mixed scoring in bridge, also called hybrid scoring, combines different scoring methods such as matchpoints and IMPs.
mixed (tournament)
A mixed bridge tournament requires every competing pair to include one player of each sex.
mole squeeze
A mole squeeze in bridge is one where a defender's losing option exposes their partner to an endplay rather than directly losing a trick.
monster
A monster hand in bridge slang is an exceptionally strong hand with significant high-card and distributional strength.
Montreal relay
The Montreal relay is a bridge convention using artificial one diamond responses to allow opener to show four-card majors at the one-level.
moose
A moose in bridge slang is an extremely powerful hand in context, even stronger than a typical strong hand.
Morton's Fork coup
Morton's Fork coup in bridge forces an opponent to choose between establishing extra tricks in the led suit or losing a trick in that suit.
Mosher over notrump
Mosher over notrump is a bridge defensive system using natural bidding methods against opponent's notrump openings.
mountain
A mountain in bridge slang refers to a very strong hand in the context of the auction and previous bidding.
movement
A movement in bridge is the systematic arrangement and rotation of players and boards to achieve proper comparisons in duplicate tournaments.
Moysian fit
A Moysian fit in bridge is a seven-card trump fit with four cards in one hand and three in partner's hand, named after Alphonse Moyse Jr.
Mr. Smug
Mr. Smug is a bridge character created by S.J. Simon representing moderate skills with extreme overconfidence and practical table behavior.
Mrs. Guggenheim
Mrs. Guggenheim is a bridge character by S.J. Simon who can only achieve obvious or routine plays, representing inexperienced players.
MUD
MUD in bridge stands for Middle-Up-Down, an opening lead convention of leading the middle card from three small cards.
Multi
Multi is a bridge convention where two diamonds opening shows one of several hand types, usually including both weak and strong options.
multi-Landy
Multi-Landy is a bridge defensive system over one notrump using two clubs for majors, two diamonds for a one-suiter, and major bids showing that suit plus a minor.
N
Namyats
Namyats is a bridge convention where opening four clubs shows a strong four-heart opening and four diamonds shows a strong four-spade opening, spelling Stayman backwards.
national
National bridge tournaments are the highest competitive level within a country or geographical region, featuring top players competing for prestigious titles.
National Laws Commission
The National Laws Commission is the administrative committee that oversees and interprets the Laws of Bridge in North America.
natural (call)
A natural call in bridge indicates a desire to play in the named strain without conveying information about a different specific suit or notrump.
natural (system)
A natural bidding system in bridge consists largely of agreements where most actions, especially early in the auction, show the suits actually bid.
Neapolitan system
The Neapolitan system is a bridge bidding system that served as the parent system for the famous Blue Team club system used by Italian champions.
negative
A negative bid in bridge denies strength or interest in bidding to a higher-level contract, showing minimum or weak values.
negative double
A negative double in bridge is a takeout or informatory double of an opponent's overcall, showing values and support for unbid suits.
negative free bid
A negative free bid in bridge is a nonforcing suit bid made by responder over an intervening overcall, showing modest values without game interest.
negative inference
A negative inference in bridge is a logical deduction made from the absence of an expected occurrence, such as a bid not made.
negative response
A negative response in bridge is a bid that denies holding certain values or strength, typically showing a weak hand after partner's strong opening.
negative slam double
A negative slam double in bridge is doubling an opponent's slam contract in competitive auctions to deny holding defensive tricks.
neither side vulnerable
Neither side vulnerable in bridge means neither partnership has scored a game toward rubber, affecting penalty and bonus scoring.
neutral lead
A neutral lead in bridge is an opening lead that neither threatens to develop tricks nor risks losing tricks through the lead itself.
New England relay
The New England relay, also called the Three-Quarter movement, is a variant of the Howell movement used in bridge duplicate tournaments.
new minor forcing
New minor forcing is a bridge convention using a new minor suit bid as a form of Checkback Stayman to investigate game and slam possibilities.
new suit
A new suit in bridge is one that has not been previously bid during the current auction by either partnership.
Ninth
In bridge terminology, -ninth indicates a nine-card holding in a suit, such as jack-ninth meaning Jxxxxxxxx or nine cards headed by the jack.
no bid
No bid is an improper form of passing in bridge; the correct call is simply pass according to the Laws of Bridge.
no call
No call is both an improper form of pass and a misnomer in bridge, as every player must make a call at their turn, even if passing.
nonforcing
A nonforcing bid in bridge allows partner to pass under partnership agreement, not requiring further action with minimum values.
Nonforcing Stayman
Nonforcing Stayman is a bridge convention where responder's rebid of two of a major after Stayman is not forcing, originally invitational but sometimes played as weak.
nonmaterial squeeze
A nonmaterial squeeze in bridge has at least one threat against a strategic or informational value rather than a direct trick-taking threat.
nonserious
Nonserious in bridge, usually describing a slam try, indicates a mild or minimum slam interest rather than strong enthusiasm for slam.
nonvulnerable
Nonvulnerable in bridge means a partnership has not yet scored a game toward rubber, affecting penalty and bonus scoring calculations.
North
North is one of the four compass positions at the bridge table, typically representing dummy in standard hand diagrams.
North-South
North-South in bridge refers to one of the two competing partnerships, typically the declaring side in standard diagrams and problem presentations.
not through the Iron Duke
Not through the Iron Duke is a classic bridge expression from whist meaning a player covers one card with a higher one to prevent an opponent from winning.
not vulnerable
Not vulnerable in bridge means a partnership has not scored one game toward rubber, affecting scoring for bonuses and penalties.
notrump
Notrump is the highest-ranking strain in bridge bidding where play proceeds without a trump suit, all suits ranking equally in trick-taking.
notrump distribution
Notrump distribution in bridge refers to balanced hand patterns, typically 4-3-3-3, 4-4-3-2, or 5-3-3-2 distributions suitable for notrump contracts.
novice
A novice bridge player is someone with limited experience in the game, often participating in beginner-level games and tournaments.
nuisance bid
A nuisance bid in bridge is an action aimed at disrupting opponents' auction, making their bidding more difficult or ambiguous.
number (penalty)
A number in bridge slang means any large penalty representing a very poor result, often several hundred or thousand points.
number (telephone)
Number in bridge slang can refer to a telephone number, particularly a large penalty score written on the scoresheet.
number one
Number one in bridge slang refers to the ace, the highest-ranking card in each suit.
O
OBAR
OBAR is a bridge acronym meaning opponents bid and raise, used to describe competitive auctions where the opposing partnership has shown support for their suit.
obligatory (falsecard)
An obligatory falsecard in bridge is a deceptive play required to preserve best chances, such as West playing the queen when declarer cashes the king.
obligatory (finesse)
An obligatory finesse in bridge is a duck play hoping an opposing high card will drop, such as playing low from both hands when holding king-fourth opposite queen-fourth.
obvious-shift principle
The obvious-shift principle is a bridge defensive carding agreement where a discouraging card at trick one suggests or guarantees support for the obvious suit switch.
odd (level)
The -odd suffix in bridge indicates a bidding level, such as one-odd meaning at the one-level in the auction.
odd (tricks)
In bridge scoring, odd tricks means six more than the number specified, so two odd tricks equals eight total tricks.
odd trick
An odd trick in bridge is any trick taken by declarer in excess of the book of six tricks required before scoring begins.
odd-even discards
Odd-even discards is a bridge defensive signaling method where odd cards (3, 5, 7, 9) are encouraging and even cards are discouraging with suit-preference implications.
off (down)
Off in bridge slang means down or set, indicating declarer failed to make the contract bid.
off (offside)
Off in bridge slang can mean offside, referring to a card that is unfavorably located for declarer in an opponent's hand.
off the top
Off the top in bridge describes tricks that can be taken immediately without gaining the lead or lost before declarer gains control.
off-shape
An off-shape hand in bridge doesn't have one of the usual or expected distributions for a particular bid or convention.
offender
An offender in bridge is a player who has violated the Laws of Bridge or tournament regulations, potentially subject to penalties.
offside
A card is offside in bridge when it's unfavorably located in an opponent's hand, preventing a finesse or play from succeeding.
Ogust
The Ogust convention uses artificial step rebids after a weak two-bid and two notrump response to show hand quality and suit quality in bridge.
on (makable)
On in bridge slang means a contract is makable with proper play, having sufficient tricks available.
on (onside)
On in bridge slang can mean onside, indicating a card is favorably located for declarer to take a successful finesse.
on (part-score)
The -on suffix in bridge indicates a part-score amount, such as 60-on meaning having 60 points toward game in rubber bridge.
on score
On score in bridge means having a part-score toward game, with the number indicating points already accumulated.
on the fence
On the fence in bridge slang means holding no other cards in a suit, being down to a singleton or void after playing earlier cards.
one hundred fifty aces
One hundred fifty aces is a bridge honor bonus of 150 points awarded for holding all four aces in one hand at notrump contracts.
one hundred fifty honors
One hundred fifty honors is a bridge bonus of 150 points awarded for holding all five trump honors (A-K-Q-J-10) in one hand.
one hundred honors
One hundred honors in bridge is a bonus of 100 points awarded for holding four of the five trump honors in one hand.
one-bid
A one-bid in bridge is a bid at the one-level, usually referring to an opening bid of one club, diamond, heart, or spade.
one-club system
A one-club system in bridge is a bidding method based on an artificial strong one club opening, such as Precision or Blue Club.
one-over-one response
A one-over-one response in bridge is bidding a higher-ranking suit at the one-level after partner's opening bid in a different suit.
one-round force
A one-round force in bridge is a call requesting partner not pass immediately, without implications for later bidding rounds.
one-spot
One-spot is bridge slang for the ace, the highest-ranking card in each suit and most valuable single card.
one-suit squeeze
A situation in which a defender (or occasionally declarer) is forced to guard only one suit and cannot discard any card from that suit without immediately giving up a trick.
Example (rephrased):
North
♠ A
♥ A 7 3
West
♠ —
♥ K J 10 2
East
♠ Q J
♥ 9 4
South
♠ K
♥ Q 8 5
South needs three tricks in notrump and leads a spade to North’s ace. West is squeezed:
If West throws a low heart, declarer can later throw West in to lead hearts (a throw-in), conceding extra tricks.
If West discards a heart honor, North–South can immediately establish two heart tricks.
Thus West cannot safely release any card in hearts, the only suit he holds—this is the essence of a one-suit squeeze.
one-suiter
A one-suiter in bridge is a hand with only one suit of four or more cards, typically at least six cards, not usually applied to balanced distributions.
one-way finesse
A one-way finesse in bridge is a situation where only one particular opponent can hold a missing card for the finesse to succeed.
onside
Onside in bridge means a card is favorably located, positioned where a finesse will work or where it benefits declarer's play.
open (adjective - event)
An open bridge event or tournament is unrestricted as to who may enter, welcoming all skill levels and player categories.
open (adjective - hand)
The open hand in bridge refers to dummy's cards, which are visible and placed face-up on the table after the opening lead.
open (adjective - room)
An open room in bridge tournaments is one that permits spectators to watch the play, contrasting with closed rooms.
open (verb - bid)
To open in bridge means to make the first bid in an auction, establishing the initial contract level and strain.
open (verb - play)
To open a suit in bridge means to be the first player to lead that suit during the play of the hand.
open hand
The open hand in bridge is dummy's hand, placed face-up on the table and visible to all players after the opening lead.
open room
The open room in bridge team matches is where spectators are permitted to watch, often used with a closed room for comparison.
opener
The opener in bridge is the player who makes the first bid in the auction, establishing the initial contract proposal.
opener's rebid
The opener's rebid in bridge is the second bid made by the opening bidder, further describing hand strength and distribution.
opening (or opening bid)
The opening bid in bridge is the first bid made in an auction, beginning the competitive bidding process for the contract.
opening bidder
The opening bidder in bridge is the player who makes the first bid, starting the auction and describing their hand first.
opening lead
The opening lead in bridge is the lead to the first trick, made by the player to declarer's left before dummy's cards are exposed.
opening leader
The opening leader in bridge is the player to declarer's left who makes the first lead before seeing dummy's cards.
opponent
An opponent in bridge is an adversary or member of the opposing partnership competing against your side for the contract or tricks.
optional double
An optional double in bridge is one where partner can choose to pass for penalties or bid on based on their hand's suitability.
our deal
Our deal in bridge slang refers to a hand where your partnership can make a higher-scoring contract than the opponents.
our hand
Our hand in bridge slang is a deal where your side can make a better contract than the opponents can make in their best strain.
out (inactive)
Being out in bridge means not currently an active player, such as sitting out while waiting for a table or watching rather than playing.
out (no values)
Out in bridge slang means having no other significant values beyond cards already mentioned, such as ace-jack-sixth and out.
out (void)
Being out in bridge means having no cards remaining in a particular suit, either from the start or after playing all cards in that suit.
out-of-the-blue control-bid
An out-of-the-blue control-bid in bridge, also called an advance control-bid, shows a control without prior agreement about the suit.
outside
Outside cards in bridge are those not in the main or trump suit, typically referring to high cards in side suits.
over
Over in bridge refers to position to the left of another player or card during the auction or play, also called behind.
overbid (noun)
An overbid in bridge is the call made when bidding too high, bidding unwarrantedly, or overcalling an opponent's opening.
overbid (verb - overcall)
Overbid in bridge can be used as a synonym for overcall, making a bid after an opponent has opened the bidding.
overbid (verb - too high)
To overbid in bridge means to bid more than your partnership can actually make with best play and defense.
overbid (verb - unwarranted)
To overbid in bridge can mean bidding unwarrantedly high based on hand strength, regardless of whether the contract actually fails.
overbidder (one who overbids)
An overbidder in bridge is a player who habitually bids more than their hand warrants or more than can be made.
overbidder (overcaller)
An overbidder in bridge can also refer to an overcaller, the player who bids after an opponent's opening bid.
overboard
Overboard in bridge slang means having bid above the highest makable contract, going past your partnership's limit.
overcall (noun)
An overcall in bridge is a bid made following an opposing opening bid, showing suit length and values in competitive auctions.
overcall (verb)
To overcall in bridge means to make a bid after an opponent has opened, entering the auction with a competing suit or notrump.
overcaller
An overcaller in bridge is the player who makes an overcall after opponents have opened the bidding.
overruff
To overruff in bridge means to trump with a higher trump card after another player has already ruffed the trick.
overtake
To overtake in bridge means playing a higher card of the suit led than the highest already played, usually playing higher than partner's card.
overtrick
An overtrick in bridge is a trick made in excess of those required to fulfill the contract, earning bonus points in scoring.
overtrump
Overtrump in bridge is a synonym for overruff, meaning to trump with a higher trump after another player has already trumped.
P
pack
A pack in bridge is the complete deck of 52 playing cards used in the game, consisting of four suits with thirteen cards each.
packet (part)
A packet in bridge refers to a portion or subset of the complete pack or deck of cards.
packet (penalty)
A packet in bridge slang means a large penalty score received for going down in a doubled or redoubled contract.
pair
A pair in bridge is one partnership of two players acting as partners, either the North-South or East-West team at the table.
pairs
A pairs bridge event is a duplicate tournament format where partnerships compete against other partnerships rather than in team format.
pajama game
A pajama game in bridge slang is a duplicate session where relatively many scores are extreme tops or bottoms with few average results.
palooka
A palooka in bridge slang is a poor or inexperienced player who makes frequent errors in bidding and play.
pancake
A pancake in bridge slang describes a hand with flat 4-3-3-3 distribution, similar to the term flat hand.
par
Par in bridge is the theoretical best result on a deal when both partnerships bid and play perfectly with optimal decisions.
par contest
A par contest is a bridge event using pre-set deals where scores are awarded for superior bidding and playing technique rather than comparative results.
pard
Pard is affectionate bridge slang for partner, the other member of your partnership at the table.
parity (equal)
Parity in bridge can mean equal length in a suit compared to another player's holding in that suit.
parity (evenness)
Parity in bridge refers to the evenness or oddness of suit length, important for certain squeeze and endplay calculations.
part-score
A part-score in bridge is a contract scoring less than 100 points below the line, not reaching game level requirements.
partial
Partial in bridge is a shortened term for part-score, a contract scoring less than 100 points below the line.
partial elimination
A partial elimination in bridge is an imperfect elimination play that succeeds only against certain specific distributions of opponents' cards.
partial score
Partial score in bridge is another term for part-score, a contract worth fewer than the 100 points needed for game.
partial stopper
A partial stopper in bridge is a suit holding that provides a stopper only if partner also has cards in that suit, such as singleton queen or doubleton queen.
partner (noun)
Your partner in bridge is the other member of your partnership, sitting across the table and cooperating toward shared goals.
partner (verb)
To partner in bridge means to act as the other member of a partnership, playing cooperatively with another player.
partnership (agreements)
Partnership in bridge also refers to the totality of understandings, conventions, and agreements between two players.
partnership (team)
A partnership in bridge is one of two competing teams of two players working together to win the contract or defeat opponents.
partnership agreement
A partnership agreement in bridge encompasses all the conventions, treatments, and understandings shared between partners about bidding and carding.
partnership bidding
Partnership bidding in bridge describes an auction where opponents do nothing except pass, allowing uncontested communication between partners.
partnership desk
The partnership desk at bridge tournaments is a location or service that arranges partners for unpaired players seeking teammates.
pass (noun)
A pass in bridge is a call indicating no desire to bid, double, or redouble at that turn in the auction.
pass (verb - call)
To pass in bridge means to make no bid, double, or redouble at your turn, declining to take action in the auction.
pass (verb - play)
To pass in bridge card play means playing a lower card from the opposite hand when a higher card was available after leading from declarer or dummy.
pass and pull
Pass and pull in bridge means making a forcing pass and then bidding over partner's double, showing extreme strength.
pass out (adjective)
Pass out seat in bridge is the position where your pass will end the auction, either with no contract or finalizing the bidding.
pass out (fourth pass)
To pass out in bridge means making the fourth consecutive pass, causing the deal to be thrown in without a contract.
pass out (third pass)
Passing out in bridge can mean making the third consecutive pass after a bid, making that bid the final contract.
pass-or-correct
A pass-or-correct call in bridge requests partner to either pass or make an alternative bid depending on their yet-unspecified hand type.
passed hand
A passed hand in bridge is a player who passed when given the opportunity to open, denying sufficient values for an opening bid.
passed out (contract)
A contract is passed out in bridge when it's allowed to stand as the final contract after three consecutive passes.
passed out (deal)
A deal is passed out in bridge when all four players pass initially, causing the cards to be thrown in and redealt.
passive
A passive defensive play in bridge doesn't risk tricks but also doesn't actively try to promote winners immediately, playing safe.
pasteboards
Pasteboards is old-fashioned slang for playing cards in bridge and other card games.
pattern
Pattern in bridge refers to hand distribution, the specific arrangement of suit lengths such as 5-3-3-2 or 4-4-3-2.
pattern out
To pattern out in bridge means determining a player's (usually partner's) most likely suit distribution based on bidding and play.
Patton
Patton is a form of hybrid scoring in bridge that combines elements of different scoring methods for tournament play.
Pearson points
Pearson points in bridge equals high-card points plus spade length, used in fourth-seat opening decisions especially at matchpoints.
penalty (points)
Penalty points in bridge are awarded to defenders when declarer fails to fulfill the contract, based on undertricks and vulnerability.
penalty (remedy)
A penalty in bridge is a remedy for an infraction provided by the Laws of Bridge to compensate the non-offending side.
penalty card
A penalty card in bridge is an exposed card that subjects its holder's side to restrictions on play according to bridge laws.
penalty double
A penalty double in bridge is intended to increase the penalty against opponents' contract, suggesting partner should pass rather than bid.
penalty pass
A penalty pass in bridge is passing partner's takeout double, converting it to penalty when holding strength in opponent's suit.
percentage play
The percentage play in bridge is the card combination or line of play most likely statistically to achieve a specific goal.
perfecto
A perfecto in bridge slang is a hand perfectly suited for the bidding with exactly the values needed to make a specific contract.
peter
Peter in bridge slang means echo or high-low signal, playing a higher card followed by lower to show interest or count.
phantom (adjective)
Phantom as an adjective in bridge describes a sacrifice made against a contract that would have failed if left undoubled.
phantom (pair)
A phantom in bridge tournaments is an imaginary pair deemed present to balance and complete a tournament movement when numbers are odd.
phantom (sacrifice)
A phantom sacrifice in bridge is bidding a sacrifice contract against an opponent contract that would have failed, resulting in a poor score.
phone number (four digits)
A phone number in bridge slang is a penalty score in four digits, indicating a massive set or disaster.
phone number (large)
Phone number in bridge slang refers to any very large penalty score that resembles an actual telephone number.
phoney club
A phoney club or short club in bridge is opening one club with fewer than four clubs, often with 4-4-3-2 distribution.
pianola
A pianola in bridge slang is a contract that is extremely easy to make with straightforward play.
pick up (adjective)
Pick-up as an adjective in bridge describes items collected at tables, such as pick-up slips recording deal results in tournaments.
pick up (capture)
To pick up a card in bridge means to capture it during play, winning the trick containing that card.
pick up (partner)
A pick-up partner or team in bridge is one recently met rather than through prearrangement, often at the tournament site.
pick up (play suit)
To pick up a suit in bridge means playing it without loss or with minimal loss, successfully handling the suit division.
pick-a-slam
Pick-a-slam in bridge is a call (usually five notrump) requesting partner to bid six of their preferred strain for the final contract.
picture
Picture in bridge is short for picture card, referring to the court cards king, queen, and jack.
picture bid
A picture bid in bridge shows specific concentrated values rather than general strength, describing where honors are located.
picture card
Picture cards in bridge are the king, queen, and jack, the court cards with illustrated faces in each suit.
picture jump
A picture jump in bridge is a jump bid showing specific concentrated values in the suit bid rather than overall strength.
piece (any card)
Piece in general card-playing slang can mean any card in a suit, though less common in bridge terminology.
piece (honor)
A piece in bridge slang means a high honor card, such as having a piece in spades meaning a spade honor.
piece (part-score)
Piece in bridge slang can refer to a part-score, a contract scoring less than game.
pin
To pin in bridge means leading a card to cause a lower-ranking card to drop underneath, especially with higher cards still outstanding.
pincer play
A defensive technique used to counter a one-suit squeeze, in which the defenders arrange their cards so that one defender holds higher cards and the other holds lower cards around a key card in the declarer’s or partner’s hand. This “pinching” position protects the intermediate card and prevents declarer from gaining an extra trick.
Example (rephrased):
North
♠ A
♥ A 7 3
West
♠ —
♥ K J 9 2
East
♠ Q J
♥ 10 4
South
♠ K
♥ Q 8 5
South needs three tricks in notrump and leads a spade. West can safely discard a low heart, keeping the king and jack so that West’s higher cards and East’s ten together surround declarer’s heart holding. Because the defenders’ cards remain positioned both above and below the critical card, declarer cannot promote an additional heart trick—this defensive arrangement is called a pincer play.
pip (outrank)
To pip in bridge slang means to barely outrank on a trick or defeat by the narrowest possible margin.
pip (spot card)
A pip in bridge is a spot card or the marking symbols on cards that indicate suit and rank.
pip (suit symbol)
A pip in bridge can refer to the suit symbol (hearts, diamonds, clubs, spades) appearing on cards.
pitch (noun)
A pitch in bridge slang is a discard, throwing away a card when unable to follow suit.
pitch (verb - discard)
To pitch in bridge slang means to discard a card, particularly when void in the suit led.
pitch (verb - lose)
To pitch in bridge slang can mean losing through error, especially through a clear and avoidable mistake.
pivot (chukker)
Pivot in British bridge usage can mean chukker, a short rubber or segment of play.
pivot (player - Howell)
In a Howell movement bridge tournament, the pivot is the stationary player who doesn't move between rounds.
pivot (player - rubbers)
A pivot in rubber bridge is the player who remains in the same physical position at the table through a sequence of rubbers.
pivot (suit)
A pivot suit in bridge squeeze positions is one guarded or potentially guarded by both opponents in a double-squeeze matrix.
pivot (verb)
To pivot in bridge means to change partners, rotating partnerships during a session or event.
plafond
Plafond is the French predecessor card game of modern contract bridge, popular before bridge evolved to its current form.
plain suit
A plain suit in bridge is any suit other than the trump suit, also called side suits.
play (noun)
Play in bridge is the phase where players try to take tricks to determine the outcome of contracts bid during the auction.
play (verb - card)
To play in bridge means placing a card face-up in the center of the table during your turn in a trick.
play (verb - declarer)
To play in bridge can mean acting as declarer, managing both your hand and dummy to fulfill the contract.
play for
To play for in bridge means assuming a specific holding as the basis for declarer play or defense strategy.
playable (agreement)
A playable agreement or system in bridge doesn't inherently lead to inferior results, functioning adequately in competition.
playable (contract)
A playable contract in bridge is at least reasonable even if not necessarily the best possible contract available.
player (hand)
A player in bridge slang can refer to a hand with promising offensive prospects in the context of the auction.
player (participant)
A player in bridge is one of the four participants at the table, either declarer, dummy, or one of the defenders.
playing trick
A playing trick in bridge is a card combination likely to take a trick during play, measuring offensive strength of a hand.
PLOB
PLOB is a bridge acronym for petty little odious bid, an artificial investigatory rebid by responder after opener's one notrump rebid.
pocket (board)
The pocket in bridge is the receptacle slot in a duplicate board that holds one player's hand of thirteen cards.
pocket (location)
In the pocket in bridge slang means a card is favorably located onside, positioned where it benefits declarer.
PODI
PODI in bridge stands for Pass 0, Double 1, a method of showing aces or key cards after interference following an asking bid.
point (rating)
A point in bridge player ratings can mean a masterpoint or other unit indicating competitive achievement and experience level.
point (scoring)
A point in bridge is a unit of scoring used to calculate contract results, penalties, and bonuses.
point (squeeze)
In bridge squeeze positions, a point is a unit of complexity, with one point equaling one two-suit squeeze against one opponent.
point (valuation)
A point in bridge hand evaluation is a unit assigning value to high cards and distribution features.
point a board
Point a board in bridge is another term for board-a-match scoring, where each board is worth one point regardless of margin.
point count
Point count in bridge is a hand valuation method assigning numerical values to high cards and distributional features.
pointed (suit)
Pointed suits in bridge are spades and diamonds, named for the pointed shape of their suit symbols.
points
Points in bridge refers to valuation units assigned to individual high cards, such as in the 4-3-2-1 point count system.
Polish club
Polish club is a bridge system based on multi-way one club openings showing weak notrump, clubs, or very strong hands.
pop-up squeeze
A pop-up squeeze, also called show-up squeeze, is a bridge squeeze where a defender must discard a card that reveals critical information.
Portland Club
The Portland Club is a historic London bridge club that first published bridge laws and remains part of the lawmaking process.
position (chair)
Position in bridge can also be called chair, with first chair meaning first position or dealer's seat.
position (location)
Position in bridge refers to a player's physical location or seat at the table (North, South, East, or West).
position (order)
Position in bridge indicates the order of speaking relative to the dealer, with dealer in first position and so on.
position (seat)
Position in bridge can mean seat, with first position being first seat, dealer's position in the auction.
positional (call)
A positional call in bridge tends to place the more advantageously located partner as declarer for the final contract.
positional (honors)
Positional honors in bridge gain trick-taking strength because of their favorable location relative to opponents' holdings.
positional (squeeze)
A positional squeeze in bridge matures only against the opponent in one particular table location, not against either defender.
positive response
A positive response in bridge is a bid affirming certain values, showing strength after partner's forcing or strong opening.
post mortem
A post mortem in bridge is the discussion and analysis of deals following play, examining bidding and playing decisions.
powerhouse
A powerhouse in bridge slang is a very strong hand with substantial high-card points and often good distribution.
practice finesse
A practice finesse in bridge is a risky, unnecessary finesse taken when safer plays are available, often resulting in disaster.
prebalance
To prebalance in bridge means acting in direct position as one would in reopening (balance) position with competitive values.
Precision
Precision is a popular bridge bidding system based on a strong artificial one club opening and five-card major suit requirements.
Precision two diamonds
Precision two diamonds is an opening bid showing a minimum-range opening hand with no long suit and shortness in diamonds.
preempt
Preempt in bridge is short for preemptive, referring to bids intended to obstruct opponents' bidding space and communication.
preemptive (adjective)
A preemptive bid in bridge is intended to hinder opponents by removing bidding space from the auction with weak hands and long suits.
preemptive (noun)
A preemptive in bridge is a bid that acts to obstruct opponents' bidding regardless of the bidder's specific intent.
prefer
To prefer in bridge means offering a preference, indicating choice of strain among those suggested by partner's bidding.
preference
Preference in bridge is indicating your choice of trump suit from among the strains suggested by partner during the auction.
prepared bid
A prepared bid in bridge is made with consideration for rebidding possibilities on later rounds rather than just current values.
preparedness
Preparedness in bridge is the principle of choosing your opening bid suit to facilitate a convenient rebid on the next round.
present count
Present count is a bridge defensive carding method where count signals relate to the number of cards currently held in a suit.
pressure
A pressure call or bid in bridge is made with options restricted by opponents' bidding, forcing difficult decisions.
primary (control)
A primary control in bridge is first-round control of a suit, typically an ace or void for slam purposes.
primary (strength)
Primary strength in bridge refers to the most useful or highest-ranking honor cards, particularly aces and kings.
primary (support)
Primary support in bridge means enough cards to guarantee at least an eight-card trump fit with partner's suit.
professional (paid)
A professional in bridge can refer to a paid partner or teammate hired to play in tournaments or rubber bridge.
professional (person)
A professional bridge player makes a living from the game through tournament winnings, teaching, or playing for hire.
progression
Progression in bridge tournaments is the systematic movement of players and deals through rounds to ensure proper comparisons.
progressive squeeze
A progressive squeeze in bridge is one where a newly created winner immediately produces another squeeze position against defenders.
promote (card)
To promote a card in bridge means moving it to or closer to winning rank through play of higher cards.
promote (valuation)
To promote hand value in bridge means adding valuation points for features like honors in partner's suits or ruffing values.
proprieties
The proprieties in bridge are the section of laws dealing with personal and partnership behavior, ethics, and proper conduct.
protect (accompany)
To protect in bridge means accompanying a higher card with lower ones to guard it from capture by opponents' honors.
protect (balance)
To protect in bridge slang means to balance, bidding in passout seat to prevent opponents from playing at a low level.
protect (guard)
To protect a suit in bridge means having sufficient length and strength to prevent opponents from running the entire suit.
protect (reopen)
Protect in bridge slang can mean reopen, bidding again after opponents have found a fit to compete for the contract.
protected
A protected card in bridge is accompanied by sufficient lower cards to prevent its capture by higher cards of the same suit.
protected suit
A protected suit in bridge includes a stopper, preventing opponents from running the entire suit without loss.
protest
A protest in bridge is an appeal against a director's ruling, seeking review by a higher authority or appeals committee.
proven finesse
A proven finesse in bridge is guaranteed to win because previous play has revealed the location of the relevant honor.
pseudo finesse
A pseudo finesse in bridge attempts to gain through defender's failure to cover a card that cannot be led for an actual finesse.
pseudo squeeze
A pseudo squeeze in bridge is a position where a defender isn't actually squeezed but may lose tricks through misreading the situation.
psych (noun)
A psych in bridge slang is short for psychic, a bid made without normal values to deceive opponents.
psych (verb)
To psych in bridge slang means making a psychic call, bidding without the values normally associated with that action.
psychic
A psychic in bridge is a call made without the values normally required, intended to deceive opponents about hand strength or shape.
psychic control
A psychic control in bridge is a subsequent call indicating that an earlier call by the same player was a psychic bid.
pudding raise
A pudding raise in bridge slang is based on high-card strength rather than distributional advantages or shortness.
pull (draw)
To pull in bridge means drawing trumps, leading trump cards to remove opponents' trumps from play.
pull (remove double)
To pull a double in bridge means bidding after partner doubles, removing the double and choosing a different contract.
pump
Pump in bridge slang means forcing out a trump from declarer or dummy, also called force.
punch (force)
To punch in bridge slang means forcing out a trump card through leads that require ruffing.
punch (remove)
Punch in bridge slang means removing cards, often punching out entries or key cards from a hand.
punt (noun)
A punt in bridge is a noncommittal or nondescriptive call that avoids revealing specific information about hand strength or shape.
punt (verb)
To punt in bridge means making a noncommittal or nondescriptive call, avoiding any definitive statement about your hand.
puppet (noun)
A puppet in bridge is a transfer bid asking partner to make a certain call regardless of their holding.
puppet (verb)
To puppet in bridge means using a transfer that compels partner to make a specific bid with most hand types.
Puppet Stayman
Puppet Stayman is a bridge convention where responder asks notrump opener to bid unless holding a five-card major suit.
pure (hand)
A pure hand in bridge lacks any values that aren't useful for the intended contract or purpose being pursued.
pure (offensive)
Pure values in bridge are likely to be useful on offense, particularly honors in long suits or partner's suits.
pure (orientation)
Pure playing values in bridge have only one type of orientation, either offensive or defensive but not mixed.
purple cow
A purple cow in bridge is a deal or ending where both a trump coup and a squeeze operate simultaneously.
push (adjective)
Push as an adjective in bridge describes having no net score on a board in team competition.
push (noun - tie)
A push in bridge team events is a no-score result where both tables achieve the same or equivalent contracts.
push (verb - achieve tie)
To push in bridge team play means creating or achieving a no-score result on a deal, also called wash or washout.
push (verb - force)
To push in bridge slang can mean forcing opponents to bid to a higher level through competitive bidding.
push (verb - lead)
Push in bridge slang can mean to lead a card, particularly leading a suit through an opponent.
push (verb - overbid)
To push in bridge slang means bidding more than justified by values held, stretching beyond normal ranges.
pushed
Pushed in bridge slang means having achieved no net score on a deal in team play, a tied result.
pusher (card)
A pusher in bridge slang is an intermediate card that can be led through an opponent's honor for a finesse.
pusher (overbidder)
A pusher in bridge slang is an overbidder who consistently bids beyond justified values or stretches aggressively.
put on the floor
To put on the floor in bridge slang means failing to make a contract because of a mistake, usually as declarer.
Q
quack
A quack in bridge slang refers to either a queen or jack, the middle-ranking honor cards that are less powerful than aces and kings.
qualifying (session)
A qualifying session in bridge tournaments is one where the highest scorers advance to the next round or final stages of the event.
qualifying (tournament)
A qualifying bridge tournament includes one or more preliminary sessions or stages where players must achieve certain scores to advance to later rounds.
quantitative
A quantitative bid in bridge asks partner to evaluate hand strength by total high-card values rather than specific cards or controls, typically inviting slam.
queen
The queen is the third-highest-ranking card in each suit in bridge, beaten only by the ace and king in trick-taking power.
queen-ask
A queen-ask in Key-Card Blackwood is the cheapest bid outside the agreed suit that asks partner about possession of the trump queen.
quick trick
A quick trick in bridge is a high-card holding likely to take a trick on an early round of a suit, with ace-king worth two quick tricks and ace-queen worth 1.5.
quitted trick
A quitted trick in bridge is one that has been gathered and turned face down, no longer available for inspection under bridge laws.
quotient
Quotient in bridge is the ratio of points won to total points contested, sometimes used as a tiebreaking procedure in tournament scoring systems.
R
R-S
R-S is the abbreviation for Roth-Stone, a bridge bidding system featuring sound openings and five-card majors.
rabbi's rule
Rabbi's rule in bridge is the humorous guideline that when the king is singleton, you should play the ace, acknowledging the futility of finessing.
rabbit
A rabbit in bridge slang is a new or inexperienced player, often making beginner mistakes and learning the game.
rack
A rack in bridge refers to a cardrack, the holder or tray used to organize and display cards during bidding and play.
rags
Rags in bridge slang are low cards or low spot cards with minimal trick-taking value, typically cards below the ten.
rainbow
Rainbow is a duplicate bridge movement for individual events where players in different compass directions traditionally follow guide cards of different colors.
rainbow principle
The rainbow principle in bridge uses suit-preference signals when playing from a large number of card possibilities to indicate suit preference.
raise (noun - bid)
A raise in bridge is a bid showing support for a suit partner has bid, indicating trump fit and strength.
raise (noun - hand)
A raise in bridge can refer to a hand that meets the requirements for supporting partner's suit with adequate trump length.
raise (verb)
To raise in bridge means making a further bid in a suit already bid by partner, showing support and additional values.
raiser
A raiser in bridge is a player who raises partner's suit, showing support and contributing to establishing the trump suit.
rank (achievement)
Rank in bridge can mean the level achieved by a tournament player, often measured in masterpoints or titles earned.
rank (cards)
Rank in bridge refers to the relative position of suits or cards as applied to play or bidding, with spades highest and clubs lowest.
Raptor
Raptor is a bridge convention where a one notrump overcall indicates a four-card major suit and a five-plus-card minor suit.
rattle off
To rattle off in bridge slang means to run a long suit, cashing winners quickly and consecutively without interruption.
rattlesnake
A rattlesnake in bridge slang describes a hand with 4-4-4-1 distribution, having four cards in three suits and a singleton.
RCO Two-Bids
RCO Two-Bids (Rank/Color/Oddment) are bridge opening two-bids showing less than opening strength with at least 5-5 in two suits, coded by various sorting methods.
re-enter
To re-enter in bridge means using a re-entry card to regain the lead in a particular hand after entries have been used.
re-entry
A re-entry in bridge is a card that will provide access to a hand at a later time, after a different entry has already been used.
rebid (noun)
A rebid in bridge is a player's second bid in the auction, further describing hand strength and distribution after the opening bid.
rebid (verb)
To rebid in bridge means bidding again a suit already bid by the same player, showing extra length or strength in that suit.
rebiddable suit
A rebiddable suit in bridge is one long and strong enough to be bid again in a given bidding situation, typically six or more cards.
recap (or recapitulation)
A recap or recapitulation in bridge tournaments is a summary of results showing final standings and scores for all participants.
recorder
A recorder in bridge is a tournament or organization official who tracks and documents reports of non-standard behavior or violations.
rectify the count
To rectify the count in bridge means losing tricks deliberately to adjust winners to the right number for a planned squeeze, typically one trick short.
red
Red in bridge refers to vulnerability conditions, particularly when a partnership is vulnerable or red suits (hearts and diamonds).
red against red
Red against red in bridge describes both sides vulnerable, a vulnerability condition affecting scoring for bonuses and penalties.
red against white
Red against white in bridge means one side is vulnerable (red) while the other is not vulnerable (white), creating asymmetric scoring.
red suits
Red suits in bridge are hearts and diamonds, named for their red color on playing cards and ranked below spades but above clubs.
redeal
A redeal in bridge is a replacement for a cancelled deal, typically when a board is fouled or an irregularity requires starting fresh.
redouble
A redouble in bridge is a call that raises the scoring stakes of a contract already doubled, multiplying trick values and penalties again.
Redwood
Redwood is a Key-Card Blackwood variant in bridge where four hearts asks when diamonds is trumps, or four diamonds when clubs is trumps.
refuse
To refuse in bridge means to duck, deliberately not taking a trick when holding a winning card to preserve entries or timing.
regional
A regional bridge tournament is a competitive level above sectional events but below national championships, covering larger geographic areas.
Reisinger
The Reisinger is one of the major American national bridge team championships, scored using the board-a-match scoring method.
reject (invitation)
To reject in bridge means declining a game-try, slam-try, or invitation by passing or making a minimum bid rather than accepting.
reject (transfer)
To reject a transfer in bridge means failing to make the call suggested by partner's transfer bid, showing an unsuitable hand.
relay
relay
(1) (noun) an artificial call, very often the cheapest bid, possibly nondescriptive or at most partially descriptive, that asks or allows partner to offer a description
(2) (verb) to use a relay (meaning 1)
(3) (adjective for system) a bidding method in which a high proportion of constructive auctions make use of relays
Examples of meaning (1) (the lettered calls are relays):
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
1 NT Pass 2 ♣(a)
(a) Stayman; asks opener for information without directly describing responder's hand. Some relays are more descriptive than others; for example, a two-diamond response to one-notrump might be game-forcing Stayman.
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
1 NT Pass 2 ♦* Pass
2 ♥(b)
*transfer to hearts (Jacoby transfer)
(b) completion of transfer; says little (in some contexts nothing) about the South hand
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
1 NT Pass 4 ♦* Pass
4 ♥(c)
*puppet to four hearts (Texas transfer)
(c) completion of transfer; says nothing about the South hand
Similarly, the expected reply to any puppet acts as a relay.
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
2 ♣ Pass 2 ♦ Pass
2 ♥* Pass 2 ♠(d)
*Birthright: either hearts or a game-going balanced hand
(d) relay enabling opener to clarify hand-type (by bidding either two notrump if balanced or higher with hearts)
relay boards
Relay boards in bridge tournaments are boards shared between two tables, used at a relay table in the movement structure.
relay system
A relay system in bridge is a bidding method based on extensive use of relay bids to extract detailed hand information through artificial sequences.
relay table
A relay table in bridge tournament movements is one that shares boards with another table to facilitate proper movement flow.
remove
To remove in bridge means taking out partner's call to a new bid, especially converting a takeout double to a suit bid.
renege
To renege in bridge means failing to follow suit when able to do so, a serious infraction also called a revoke.
renounce
Renounce in bridge is another term for renege or revoke, failing to follow suit when holding cards in the suit led.
reopen
To reopen in bridge means taking action other than passing after a bid or double has been followed by two passes, competing in passout seat.
reopening (adjective)
Reopening position in bridge is being able to end the auction by passing, such as after one spade-pass-pass, requiring balancing judgment.
reopening (noun)
A reopening in bridge is a non-pass action taken by a player in reopening position, preventing opponents from playing at a low level.
repeating
A repeating squeeze in bridge leads to establishing a new winner as a squeeze card, typically resulting in a multi-trick gain for declarer.
repechage
Repechage is a bridge tournament format where temporarily eliminated entrants can reenter the main event after outstanding performance in a secondary event.
replier
A replier in bridge is a player who makes a call based on partner's request for specific information through an asking bid or relay.
rerebid (noun)
A rerebid in bridge is a player's third bid in the auction, continuing to describe hand features after opener and rebid.
rerebid (verb)
To rerebid in bridge means bidding again a suit already bid twice by the same player, showing exceptional length, typically seven-plus cards.
rescue
To rescue in bridge means removing the current bid to a different contract, typically after partner's bid has been doubled for penalty.
rescue redouble
A rescue redouble in bridge, also called S.O.S. redouble, asks partner to bid their best suit when doubled in an unsuitable contract.
respond
To respond in bridge means making a bid after an opening bid by partner, beginning partnership communication about the hand.
responder
The responder in bridge is partner of the opener, the player who makes the first response to the opening bid.
response
A response in bridge is the bid made by opener's partner at their first opportunity after the opening bid in the auction.
responsive double
A responsive double in bridge is an informatory double over opponent's raise after partner's takeout double, showing values without clear direction.
restricted choice
Restricted choice in bridge is a mathematical principle suggesting a player is more likely to hold a card from which there was no choice of plays.
result merchant
A result merchant in bridge is a player who judges bids and plays by outcomes rather than by theoretical soundness, also called result player.
result player
A result player in bridge determines soundness of actions by how they turned out rather than by proper technique, a Monday-morning quarterback.
retain the lead
To retain the lead in bridge means leading a winning card, thus keeping the right to lead to the next trick.
retransfer
A retransfer in bridge is a transfer bid into a suit previously transferred into, often showing extra length or strength in that suit.
return
To return in bridge means leading back the same suit that partner led earlier, particularly important in defensive play and signaling.
revalue
To revalue in bridge means adjusting hand valuation based on the auction progress, upgrading or downgrading based on fit and controls.
reversal
A reversal in bridge involves ruffing with the partnership's longer trump holding until the opposite hand has more trumps, also called reverse dummy.
reverse (noun)
A reverse in bridge is a non-jump bid in a new suit that bypasses a lower-ranking suit already bid by the same player, showing extra strength.
reverse (verb)
To reverse in bridge means making a bid in a higher-ranking suit that bypasses rebidding a lower suit, typically showing 16-plus points.
Reverse Drury
Reverse Drury is a bridge convention where opener's rebid of two of the opened major shows minimum strength rather than extras, reversing original Drury.
reverse dummy
Reverse dummy in bridge is another term for reversal, where the hand with longer trumps does the ruffing to preserve the shorter trump hand.
reverse signals
Reverse signals in bridge are upside-down signals where low cards encourage and high cards discourage, opposite traditional carding.
review the bidding
To review the bidding in bridge means repeating the calls made during the auction, a right available to any player at their turn.
revoke
A revoke in bridge is failing to follow suit when able to do so, a serious infraction of the Laws of Bridge subject to penalties.
revolving discard
A revolving discard in bridge is discarding a card in one suit to send a message about a different suit, using suit-preference principles.
rewind
Rewind in bridge slang means to redouble, increasing the scoring stakes after an opponent has doubled your contract.
RHO
RHO is the bridge abbreviation for right-hand opponent, the player sitting to your immediate right at the table.
rhythm double
A rhythm double in bridge is a penalty double based on a pattern of previous doubles rather than appropriate holdings for this specific contract.
ride (noun)
A ride in bridge slang is a large penalty or phone number, a significant negative score from going down severely.
ride (verb)
To ride in bridge means leading and following low from the opposite hand to take a finesse, allowing an honor to ride if not covered.
riffle
A riffle in bridge is a shuffling method where cards from two halves of the pack are interleaved together to randomize the deck.
right side
The right side in bridge refers to the more favorable placement of declarer compared to the other side of the table, protecting tenaces from leads.
rightside
To rightside in bridge slang means placing declarer on the more favorable side, usually to protect holdings or put a particular opponent on lead.
righty
Righty in bridge slang is the right-hand opponent, the player sitting to your immediate right at the table.
Ripstra
Ripstra is a bridge convention using a two-of-a-minor overcall of one notrump to show both majors while indicating which minor is longer.
rise
To rise in bridge means playing a high card as opposed to a low card, going up with an honor rather than ducking.
RKCB
RKCB is the acronym for Roman Key-Card Blackwood, a slam convention treating the trump king as a fifth ace when asking for key cards.
Robert coup
The Robert coup in bridge involves leading a plain suit card to create a later split tenace in trumps, gaining an extra trump trick.
rock (noun)
A rock in bridge slang is a very strong hand with substantial high-card points and controls, typically suitable for aggressive bidding.
rock of eye
Rock of eye in bridge is hand valuation through overall inspection rather than mechanical point counting, evaluating gestalt rather than individual features.
rockcrusher
A rockcrusher in bridge slang is a powerful hand with exceptional strength, often 20-plus high-card points or game-forcing values.
rolling (Blackwood)
Rolling Blackwood or Gerber in bridge is a variant where the cheapest rebid outside the agreed suit asks for kings after asking for aces.
rolling (four notrump)
Rolling four notrump in bridge encourages partner to bid slam without making explicit reference to any specific control or feature.
Roman (asking-bid)
Roman asking-bids in bridge call for step responses announcing controls: no control, king/singleton, ace/void, or ace-king in the asked suit.
Roman (Blackwood)
Roman Blackwood in bridge uses step replies: first step shows zero or three aces, second step one or four, with additional steps showing two or five.
Roman (discard/signal)
Roman discards or signals in bridge are odd-even, where odd cards encourage and even cards discourage with suit-preference implications.
Roman (jump overcall)
A Roman jump overcall in bridge shows length in both the bid suit and the next highest unbid suit, a two-suited hand.
Roman (lead)
Roman leads in bridge are Rusinow leads, leading the second-highest of equal honors rather than the traditional highest.
Roman (two-club/diamond)
Roman two-club or two-diamond openings in bridge indicate three-suited hands with shortness in the unbid suit.
Roman club system
The Roman club system in bridge features a multi-way one club opening showing weak notrump, clubs, or very strong hands.
RONF
RONF is the acronym for Raise Only NonForce in bridge, typically applied to methods for responding to weak two-bids where only raises are forcing.
ROPE
ROPE in bridge is a position where one player must play an unnecessarily high card to prevent an endplay against partner, similar to mole squeeze.
Rosenblum Cup
The Rosenblum Cup is the world open knockout team championship in bridge, one of the most prestigious international competitions.
Rosenkranz double
The Rosenkranz double is a bridge convention where advancer doubles to show a high honor in overcaller's suit, supporting the overcall.
rotation
Rotation in bridge is the clockwise order of calls during bidding and plays during the hand, proceeding around the table systematically.
Roth-Stone
Roth-Stone is a bridge bidding system based on sound openings, five-card majors, forcing one notrump responses, and negative doubles.
round (auction)
A round in bridge auction is one turn to call for each player, progressing clockwise around the table.
round (control)
A round control in bridge indicates which play of the suit prevents opponents from winning: first-round control is an ace or void, second-round is king or singleton.
round (hand)
A round hand in bridge slang has flat 4-3-3-3 distribution with no long suits or shortness, balanced and suitable for notrump.
round (suit play)
A round of suit play in bridge indicates which time the suit is led, such as first round meaning the first time it's played.
round (tournament period)
A round in bridge tournaments is a period during which players remain at the same table playing one or more boards.
round (tournament unit)
A round in bridge tournaments is a unit of simultaneous activities with a common goal, such as the quarterfinal round of a knockout.
round-robin
A round-robin bridge tournament is a format where each entrant opposes every other entrant or every entrant within their group.
rounded (suit)
Rounded suits in bridge are hearts and clubs, named for the rounded shape of their suit symbols on playing cards.
rounding off
Rounding off in bridge scoring means scoring to the nearest full hundred, particularly on the back score in rubber bridge.
rover
A rover in bridge tournament movements is a pair that replaces a different pair in each round to balance the movement.
royal (archaic)
Royal in archaic bridge usage referred to a card in suits featured in some decks with more than the standard four suits.
royal (king/queen)
Royal in bridge refers to the king or queen, the highest court cards besides the ace.
rubber
A rubber in bridge is the best two of three games, the traditional unit of play in rubber bridge for social and club games.
rubber bonus
The rubber bonus in bridge is awarded to the first side scoring two games: 700 points if opponents haven't scored a game, 500 if they have.
rubber game
Rubber game in bridge means both sides vulnerable, the condition when each partnership has won one game toward the rubber.
Rubens advances
Rubens advances are bridge transfer advances of overcalls, using transfer bids to show suits after partner overcalls.
Rubensohl
Rubensohl is a bridge convention using transfer responses over opponent's overcalls of partner's one notrump opening.
Rueful Rabbit
The Rueful Rabbit is a Victor Mollo character in bridge literature marked by lack of comprehension, constant worry, and incredible luck.
ruff (noun)
A ruff in bridge is the play of a trump card on the lead of another suit, using trumps to win tricks when void in the led suit.
ruff (verb)
To ruff in bridge means to trump, playing a trump card when void in the suit led to win the trick.
ruff and discard
A ruff and discard in bridge is the ability to trump in one hand while discarding a loser from the other, typically beneficial to declarer.
ruff and sluff
Ruff and sluff in bridge is another term for ruff and discard, giving declarer the option to ruff in one hand and discard from the other.
ruff out
To ruff out in bridge means establishing a suit by ruffing, removing opponents' high cards through trumping to make lower cards winners.
ruffers
Ruffers in bridge are cards that can be trumped in the opposite hand to produce a source of tricks through cross-ruffing.
ruffing finesse
A ruffing finesse in bridge takes advantage of the ability to trump a high card in a side suit, leading an honor to be ruffed if covered.
ruffing value
Ruffing value in bridge is shortness in a suit that may lead to ruffing tricks, adding offensive value through distribution.
rule
Rule in bridge refers to various guidelines like Goldwater's Rule, Hamman's Rule, or Rabbi's Rule providing strategic advice for common situations.
Rule of Eleven
The Rule of Eleven in bridge states that subtracting the spot of partner's fourth-best lead from 11 gives the number of higher cards in other three hands.
Rule of Three Queens
The Rule of Three Queens in bridge suggests that holding three or four queens makes notrump contracts more attractive than suit contracts.
Rule of Twenty
The Rule of Twenty in bridge is a guideline suggesting opening when high-card points plus the two longest suit lengths totals at least 20.
Rule of Two and Three
The Rule of Two and Three in bridge guides preemptive bids: be within two tricks vulnerable and three tricks non-vulnerable of your contract.
ruling
A ruling in bridge is a decision made by a tournament director or appeals committee regarding irregularities or laws interpretations.
run (escape)
To run in bridge slang means escaping to a new strain, particularly after being doubled in an unsuitable contract.
run (pass low)
To run in bridge means leading a card that isn't a winner and playing low from the opposite hand when higher cards were available.
run (play winners)
To run in bridge means playing off winners in a suit, cashing all available tricks in a long solid suit consecutively.
runner
A runner in bridge slang is a card that will win a trick immediately upon gaining the lead, a ready-made winner or quick trick.
running
Running in bridge describes a solid suit with no losers, able to be cashed completely without opponents winning any tricks.
runout
A runout in bridge is a bid made to escape from an undesirable contract, especially escaping from a doubled contract to a better spot.
Rusinow lead
The Rusinow lead in bridge is the conventional lead of the second-highest of equal honors rather than the highest, such as king from king-queen.
S
Sack
In bridge slang, a sack refers to a sacrifice bid where players intentionally bid higher than their hand strength allows, hoping to lose fewer points than if opponents played their contract.
Sacrifice
A sacrifice in bridge occurs when players deliberately bid beyond their trick-taking ability, accepting a penalty to prevent opponents from scoring their likely-making contract.
Safety Level
The safety level in bridge bidding represents the highest contract level a partnership can reach without significant risk, based on values already shown in the auction.
Safety Play
A safety play in bridge is a deliberate technique where declarer may sacrifice one or more tricks to maximize the probability of making the contract.
Sandbag
Sandbagging in bridge means passing with strong values, intending to trap opponents or enter the bidding at a more advantageous moment later in the auction.
Sandwich Overcall
A sandwich overcall is a bridge bid made after both opponents have already entered the auction with their bids.
Sandwich Position
A sandwich position in bridge occurs when a player bids after an opening bid on their left, partner's pass, and opponent's response on their right.
Saturated Squeeze
A saturated squeeze in bridge contains menace cards (threats) in all four suits, putting maximum pressure on the opponents.
Save
In bridge terminology, save is slang for making a sacrifice bid to prevent opponents from scoring their contract.
SAYC
SAYC (Standard American Yellow Card) is a widely-used bridge bidding system defined by standard conventions listed on the yellow convention card.
Scan
Scan in bridge refers to spiral scan, a method of asking for specific cards through sequential bidding after an initial asking bid.
Schenken System
The Schenken System was the first big-club bidding system to gain widespread popularity in American bridge.
Scientific Bidding
Scientific bidding in bridge is a systematic approach where partners exchange detailed information to describe their hands as precisely as possible.
Scissors Coup
The Scissors Coup is an advanced bridge play technique using a loser-on-loser strategy to remove a specific opponent's entry to their hand.
Score
In bridge, score refers to the numerical result of a deal, session, or tournament, or the act of winning tricks with specific cards.
Score Slip
A score slip in bridge is either a traveler (record of results) or pick-up slip used to track scores during duplicate bridge games.
Scramble
Scrambling in bridge means either switching to a new contract quickly or taking tricks without maintaining trump control.
Scrambled Mitchell
A Scrambled Mitchell is a tournament movement variation that includes direction changes to balance comparisons between competing pairs.
Screen
A screen in duplicate bridge is a physical divider preventing partners from seeing each other, ensuring fair play in high-level competitions.
Screenmate
A screenmate in bridge is the opponent seated on the same side of the screen used to separate partners during screened play.
Seat
In bridge, seat refers to a player's physical position at the table or their relative position in the bidding rotation.
Second Guesser
A second guesser in bridge is a result player who judges actions based on outcomes rather than the logic behind the decision.
Second Hand
Second hand in bridge refers to either the player at dealer's left (second to bid) or the second player to play a card to any trick.
Second Hand Low
Second hand low is a classic bridge card play principle inherited from whist, suggesting the second player should play a low card.
Second-Round Control
A second-round control in bridge is either a king or singleton, preventing opponents from winning a second trick in that suit.
Secondary
Secondary in bridge can describe: a player's second turn to bid, honor cards below top strength, second-round controls, or support less than primary.
Section
A section in bridge tournaments is a grouping of players or pairs competing against each other within a larger event.
Sectional
A sectional is a regional bridge tournament ranked above club games but below regional championships in the tournament hierarchy.
Security Level
Security level in bridge bidding indicates the safest contract height achievable without additional values beyond those already promised.
See-Saw Squeeze
A see-saw squeeze (entry-shifting squeeze) in bridge forces opponents to make discards that shift entry timing between partnership hands.
Seed
In bridge tournaments, a seed is a player or team assigned a ranking based on their expected performance or previous results.
Seeded
Seeded players in bridge tournaments are those selected as highly-rated entrants, distinguished from unseeded lower-rated competitors.
Seeding
Seeding in bridge tournaments arranges players or teams by strength, either ranking all entrants or identifying top competitors.
Semi-Balanced Hand
A semi-balanced hand in bridge has suit distribution of either 5-4-2-2 or 6-3-2-2 pattern.
Semi-Forcing
A semi-forcing one notrump response in bridge shows a wide range including invitational hands, where opener typically rebids but may pass.
Semi-Solid Suit
A semi-solid suit in bridge likely has one loser and is nearly strong enough to run independently without partner's support.
Send Back
Send back in bridge slang means to redouble after opponents have doubled your contract.
Senior
A senior player in bridge competitions is anyone over 55 years of age, eligible for senior-specific events.
Sequence
In bridge, sequence can mean: the complete auction history, the bidding itself, or cards of consecutive rank (like K-Q-J).
Serious
A serious bid in bridge strongly suggests slam interest, distinguished from mild tries or cooperative agreements.
Session
A bridge session is a continuous group of deals played and scored together, typically lasting one morning, afternoon, or evening.
Set
Set in bridge means to defeat a contract, or refers to playing with fixed partnerships rather than rotating partners.
Set Game
A set game in bridge (rubber bridge or four-deal bridge) features fixed partnerships throughout the game.
Set Up
Set up in bridge means to establish a suit, making it ready to cash tricks without losing control.
Seventh
In bridge hand descriptions, seventh indicates a seven-card holding headed by the specified card (example: jack-seventh means Jxxxxxx).
Shaded
A shaded call in bridge is made with slightly fewer values than the bid typically requires.
Shake
Shake in bridge slang means to discard a card, usually a loser from a side suit.
Shape
Shape in bridge refers to suit distribution patterns, or whether suits are pointed (spades/diamonds) or rounded (hearts/clubs).
Shark
A shark in bridge is an expert player or hustler with superior playing skills.
Shift
Shifting in bridge means either leading a different suit or bidding a new suit during the auction.
Shomate
The Shomate is a specialized individual movement format used in bridge tournaments.
Shoot
Shooting in bridge means taking desperate chances attempting to achieve very high scores, often when trailing in a tournament.
Short Club
A short club opening in bridge is a one club bid based on only three cards, typically required by system constraints.
Short Diamond
A short diamond opening in bridge is a one diamond bid based on only three cards, used when system rules restrict other options.
Short Hand
The short hand in bridge is the partnership hand holding fewer trump cards than partner's hand.
Short-Suit Game Try
A short-suit game try in bridge is an invitational bid that identifies a specific singleton or void suit.
Short-Suit Points
Short-suit points in bridge are valuation adjustments added for voids and singletons based on their trick-taking potential.
Shortness
Shortness in bridge refers to having either a void (no cards) or singleton (one card) in a suit.
Shot
A shot in bridge slang refers to either a risky bidding chance or a penalty double of opponent's contract.
Show Out
Show out in bridge occurs when a player cannot follow suit, revealing they have no cards remaining in that suit.
Show-Up Squeeze
A show-up squeeze in bridge allows declarer to avoid a finesse because if the missing key card were favorably placed, it would have appeared earlier.
Shuffle
Shuffling in bridge means mixing cards randomly to ensure fair distribution before each deal.
Shut-Out
A shut-out bid in bridge is a preemptive action designed to prevent opponents from exchanging bidding information.
Side
In bridge, side refers to a partnership team or describes cards outside the main trump suit.
Side Game
A side game at bridge tournaments is a secondary event running concurrently with major championship competitions.
Side Suit
A side suit in bridge is any non-trump suit, particularly four-card or longer holdings in declarer or dummy's hand.
Sign Off
To sign off in bridge means making a bid that asks partner to pass the auction.
Signals
Signals in bridge are conventional defensive plays that partners use to exchange information about their hands.
Signoff
A signoff in bridge is a bid requesting partner to pass, denying additional strength beyond values already shown.
Silent Bidder
A silent bidder (dumb bidder) in bridge is a bidding device used to make silent bids at the table.
Simple
Simple in bridge describes: non-jump bids, single-card finesses, minimum overcalls, single raises, or one-opponent two-suit squeezes.
Simultaneous Pairs
Simultaneous pairs is a bridge event played at multiple locations at the same time using identical pre-dealt hands.
Single-Dummy
Single-dummy in bridge means playing with sight of only dummy and your own cards, unlike double-dummy which shows all hands.
Singleton
A singleton in bridge is a one-card holding in a suit, valuable for ruffing potential.
Sit
To sit in bridge slang means allowing a call (usually a double) to stand without taking further action.
Sitout
A sitout in duplicate bridge is a round where a pair has no opponents due to half-table movements.
Sixth
In bridge hand descriptions, sixth indicates a six-card holding headed by the specified card (example: jack-sixth means Jxxxxx).
Skip
A skip in bridge tournament movements occurs when pairs bypass their regular table sequence.
Skip-Bid Warning
A skip-bid warning in bridge tournaments alerts opponents to pause before acting, preventing unauthorized information from timing tells.
Slam
A slam in bridge is any contract at the six-level (small slam) or seven-level (grand slam), requiring 12 or 13 tricks.
Slam-Force
A slam-force bid in bridge compels partner to continue bidding until slam is reached or opponents' contract is doubled.
Slam-Try
A slam-try in bridge is an invitational bid suggesting slam interest and asking partner to cooperate if appropriate.
Slot
Being in the slot in bridge slang means having favorable position, particularly when key cards are positioned advantageously (onside).
Slow
Slow tricks or values in bridge need establishment before they can win tricks, as opposed to immediate winners.
Slow Arrival
Slow arrival in bridge bidding shows specific values through non-jump bids when forcing to a particular level.
Sluff
Sluff in bridge is another term for discarding a card on a trick.
Slush
Slush in bridge slang refers to honor strength consisting primarily of queens and jacks rather than aces and kings.
Small Slam
A small slam in bridge is a six-level contract requiring 12 tricks to make.
Smith Echo
The Smith Echo in bridge defense against notrump uses encouraging or discouraging signals to show interest in the opening lead suit.
Smolen
Smolen is a bridge convention where responder bids three of a major after Stayman to show four in that major and five in the other.
Smother Play
A smother play in bridge is an endplay technique capturing an opponent's trump honor when it lacks supporting cards for a finesse.
Smug
Smug in bridge references either S.J. Simon's fictional character known for overconfidence, or The Bridge World's computer program.
SNAP
SNAP (Strong Notrump After Passing) shows 9-12 points when a passed hand responds one notrump to partner's opening bid.
Snapdragon
Snapdragon is a bridge convention where overcaller's partner doubles a new suit response to show the unbid suit plus support for overcaller.
Snatch
Snatch in bridge slang means to win or cash a trick immediately, particularly before a critical moment, or refers to an ace.
Sneak
Sneak in bridge slang is another term for a singleton holding.
Sock
Sock in bridge slang means to make a penalty double of opponent's contract.
Soft Values
Soft values in bridge refer to secondary honors (queens and jacks) rather than primary honors (aces and kings).
Solid
A solid holding in bridge has no gaps in rank, or no gaps after a specified card (example: AKQJx is solid).
Solid Suit
A solid suit in bridge is strong enough to declare as trumps without partner support and has no potential losers.
Sominex Coup
The Sominex Coup in bridge slang is taking excessive time during a decision, causing opponents to lose concentration.
Sort
Sorting in bridge means arranging cards by rank within each suit for easier viewing and planning.
SOS Redouble
An SOS redouble in bridge asks partner to bid a different suit, showing weakness in the current denomination.
Sound
Sound in bridge describes: full-valued bids, high-requirement agreements, talented reliable players, or worthwhile contracts.
South
South in bridge is one of four compass directions, typically representing declarer in standard bridge diagrams.
South African Texas
South African Texas is a transfer convention using four clubs for hearts and four diamonds for spades over notrump openings.
Spades
Spades is the highest-ranking suit in bridge, represented by the ♠ symbol and worth the most in notrump scoring.
Specific Kings
Specific kings is a Blackwood follow-up convention where five notrump asks partner to cue-bid kings at the six-level.
Speedball
A speedball in bridge is a tournament format with reduced time allocations per deal for faster play.
Speeding
Speeding in bridge slang means dangerously or aggressively overbidding or preempting beyond safe levels.
Speeding Ticket
A speeding ticket in bridge slang refers to penalties incurred from overly aggressive bidding.
Spingold Cup
The Spingold Cup is one of America's premier national team bridge championships, played as a knockout event.
Spiral Scan
Spiral scan in bridge uses successive non-signoff bids after asking-bid responses to request specific cards based on steps skipped.
Splinter
A splinter bid in bridge is a jump raise showing shortness (singleton or void) in the bid suit with support for partner.
Split
Split in bridge means: playing equivalent honor cards, the distribution of missing cards, or menaces/tenaces in both partnership hands.
Split Menace
A split menace in bridge is a squeeze threat requiring values in both partnership hands to be effective.
Split Notrump
Split notrump in bridge uses weak notrump when non-vulnerable and strong notrump when vulnerable.
Split Tenace
A split tenace in bridge is a tenace formation with honors divided between partnership hands (ace in one hand, queen in other).
Sponsor
A sponsor in bridge is either the tournament organizing entity or someone who hires partners and teammates.
Spot
Spot in bridge refers to spot cards (2-9) or slang for the contract being played.
Spot Card
A spot card in bridge is any card from two (deuce) through nine in any suit.
Spots
Strong spots in bridge slang refers to high intermediate cards (9s, 10s) that add trick-taking value.
Spread
Spread in bridge means: laying down dummy, having a laydown contract, or revealing cards during claims.
Sputnik
Sputnik is another name for the negative double convention in bridge bidding.
Square Hand
A square hand in bridge has perfectly balanced 4-3-3-3 distribution across all four suits.
Squeeze
A squeeze in bridge is an advanced play forcing opponents to discard cards they need, creating extra tricks.
Squeeze Card
The squeeze card in bridge is the specific card that, when led, executes the squeeze against opponents.
Squeeze-Endplay
A squeeze-endplay (strip-squeeze) combines squeeze and throw-in techniques to force favorable discards.
Stack
Stack in bridge slang means either unfortunate card distribution or deliberately prearranging cards (fixing the deal).
Stacked
Stacked in bridge describes unfavorably distributed cards for declarer, or deliberately prearranged deals.
Stagger
Stagger in bridge is a specialized stanza movement format used in team-of-four competitions.
Stand
Stand in bridge slang means to pass, particularly allowing a penalty double to remain in effect.
Stand Off
Stand off in bridge means no net score difference on a deal or session between competing pairs or teams.
Stand Up
Stand up in bridge slang means winning a trick unexpectedly, particularly surviving without being trumped by opponents.
Standard American
Standard American is the conventional bidding system used by most bridge players in the United States.
Standard American Yellow Card
Standard American Yellow Card (SAYC) defines the standard bidding system on the yellow-colored convention card.
Standard Bidding
Standard bidding in bridge refers to the conventional methods and agreements used by most players.
Stanza
A stanza in bridge is a set of boards or rounds played as a scoring unit in matches or movements.
Stationary
Stationary pairs in bridge tournaments remain in the same seats throughout the movement.
Stayman
Stayman is a popular bridge convention where two clubs over one notrump asks opener to show four-card major suits.
Steal
Stealing in bridge means: winning with unusually low cards, gaining tricks without losing the lead, gaining tempo, or making through deception.
Step
A step in bridge bidding is the incremental distance from one bid to the next higher available bid.
Step Bid
A step bid in bridge derives its meaning from how many steps above the previous bid it is placed.
Stepping-Stone
A stepping-stone squeeze in bridge forces opponents on lead to provide entries or threatens using blocked winners as entries.
Stiff
Stiff in bridge slang describes: unsupported honors (singleton king), singletons generally, or discarding suit protection.
Stop
Stop in bridge is an announcement alerting opponents of special situations like skip-bid warnings during the auction.
Stop Card
A stop card from the bidding box in bridge requests opponents pause before making their next call.
Stopper
A stopper in bridge is a holding that can prevent or slow opponents from running many tricks in a suit at notrump.
Stopper-Ask
A stopper-ask bid in bridge requests partner to bid notrump if holding a stopper in opponent's suit.
Stopper-Bid
A stopper-bid in bridge indicates possession of a stopper suitable for notrump play in the bid suit.
Strain
Strain in bridge refers to one of the five denominations: spades, hearts, diamonds, clubs, or notrump.
Stratified
Stratified bridge tournaments separate entrants of different skill levels into simultaneous events by ranking.
Strength
Strength in bridge refers to hand valuation based on high card points and distribution.
Strip
Stripping in bridge means removing opponent's exit cards or eliminating cards from both partnership hands in preparation for endplays.
Strip-Squeeze
A strip-squeeze in bridge threatens exit cards needed to avoid throw-in plays, combining squeeze and endplay techniques.
Striped-Tail Ape Double
A Striped-Tail Ape Double in bridge is doubling a laydown contract to prevent opponents bidding and making more.
Strong
Strong in bridge describes bids showing considerable values or system agreements requiring higher minimum ranges.
Strong Club
A strong club system in bridge uses one club opening to show very strong hands, typically 16+ high card points.
Strong Notrump
Strong notrump in bridge is a 1NT opening showing balanced hands above minimum opening strength, typically 15-17 or 16-18 points.
Strong Pass
A strong pass in bridge shows opening bid strength before anyone has bid, used in specialized systems.
Strong Two-Bid
A strong two-bid in bridge opens two of a suit to show a very powerful hand, typically forcing to game.
Stub
Stub in bridge slang refers to a part-score contract below game level.
Submarine
Submarine in bridge slang means ducking or underplaying winners, often to rectify the count for squeeze plays.
Substitute
Substitute in bridge refers to: replacement boards, replacement players, or calls replacing illegal bids.
Sucker Double
A sucker double in bridge is an ill-advised penalty double based on inappropriate values like high cards when opponents have ruffing power.
Sucker Play
A sucker play in bridge is a card-play tactic succeeding only when weak opponents make errors.
Suction
Suction is a bridge overcall convention over 1NT showing either the next higher suit or the two other unbid suits.
Suicide Squeeze
A suicide squeeze in bridge occurs when the partner of the squeezed opponent leads the squeeze card.
Suit
Suit in bridge refers to: one of four card divisions (spades/hearts/diamonds/clubs), or playing with trumps versus notrump.
Suit Combination
A suit combination in bridge is the partnership's total combined holding in one particular suit.
Suit Distribution
Suit distribution in bridge describes the number of cards held in each of the four suits.
Suit Pip
A suit pip in bridge is the pictorial symbol representing each suit: ♠ ♥ ♦ ♣.
Suit Symbol
Suit symbol in bridge refers to the graphic representation of each suit: spades, hearts, diamonds, clubs.
Suit-Preference Signal
A suit-preference signal in bridge defense shows preference for a suit other than the one currently being played.
Superaccept
A superaccept in bridge transfer bidding jumps higher than minimum to show strong support for partner's suit.
Superblitz
A superblitz in bridge scoring is winning by such a large margin that the loser receives negative points.
Supergerber
Supergerber is a bridge convention using five clubs to ask partner how many aces they hold.
Supernegative Card
A supernegative card in bridge is an honor played to deny holding the next higher honor in the sequence.
Support
Support in bridge means: cards in partner's bid suit (noun), or raising partner's suit (verb).
Support Double
A support double in bridge is doubling an overcall to show three-card support for partner's response suit.
Support Points
Support points in bridge combine high card values with distributional points to evaluate hands with known fit.
Support Redouble
A support redouble in bridge shows three-card support for partner's suit after opponents double.
Swan
Swan in bridge slang describes a hand with extreme 7-4-1-1 distribution pattern.
Swindle
A swindle in bridge is a deceptive play designed to trick opponents into making errors.
Swing
Swing in bridge refers to: score differences between teams, potential versus actual scores, taking risks to catch up, or completing a suit round.
Swing Deal
A swing deal in bridge produces a significant score difference between competing teams or pairs.
Swish
Swish in bridge slang means a bid followed by three consecutive passes, ending the auction.
Swiss
Swiss in bridge refers to: a tournament pairing format matching similar-scoring teams, or strong raise conventions using four-of-minor bids.
Switch
Switch in bridge means: leading a different suit on defense, or interchanging pair directions at tournaments (arrow switch).
Symmetric System
A Symmetric System in bridge is a relay-based bidding approach designed for ease of memory and recall.
System
A system in bridge is a comprehensive collection of partnership agreements covering bidding and sometimes defensive card play.
T
Table
In bridge, table refers to: the four players in a game, the board or dummy, a tournament unit of play, or the act of playing or laying down cards.
Table Card
A table card in bridge tournaments is a marker displaying players' compass directions and the table's section number for organizational purposes.
Table Feel
Table feel (table presence) in bridge is drawing legal inferences from opponents' behavior, though doing so from partner's behavior is illegal.
Table Presence
Table presence in bridge is awareness and observation of opponents' demeanor, tempo, and behavior during play.
Takeout
Takeout in bridge means: removing a contract to a new suit (noun), or describing bids that encourage partner to bid (adjective).
Takeout Double
A takeout double in bridge encourages partner to bid a suit, contrasting with penalty doubles that request partner to pass.
Tank
Tank in bridge slang means to huddle or think extensively before acting, entering a state of intense concentration over a decision.
Tap
Tap in bridge slang means forcing an opponent to ruff, also known as pumping or forcing, reducing their trump length.
Tartan Two-Bids
Tartan Two-Bids is a bridge system using two-level bids with multiple meanings including weak two-suiters, strong balanced hands, and Acol-style opening bids.
Team
A team in bridge consists of four players (occasionally six in team-of-six events) competing together as a single unit.
Team-of-Four
Team-of-four bridge is a duplicate format where four players compete as one unit, with each player occupying one compass position per deal.
Teammate
A teammate in bridge is a player on your team, often specifically referring to partners at the other table in team events.
Telephone Number
A telephone number in bridge slang refers to a four-digit penalty score, indicating a severely defeated contract.
Teller
A teller in bridge is the partner who responds to an asking-bid, providing information about specific holdings.
Tempo
Tempo in bridge refers to: timing in tricks needed to execute plans, the opportunity to lead, or the speed of player actions.
Temporize
To temporize in bridge means delaying definitive action, waiting for more information before committing to a final plan.
Ten Implies
Ten implies is a bridge opening lead convention where leading a ten shows an interior sequence including the ace, king, or queen.
Tenace
A tenace in bridge is a non-sequential honor holding like ace-queen or king-jack, useful for finessing positions.
Tenth
In bridge hand descriptions, tenth indicates a ten-card holding headed by the specified cards (example: ace-king-tenth means ten cards headed by AK).
Texas
Texas is a bridge transfer convention using four hearts to show spades and four diamonds to show hearts over notrump openings.
Their Deal
Their deal in bridge slang refers to their hand, a deal favoring the opponents.
Their Hand
Their hand in bridge slang describes deals where opponents can make a higher contract than your side.
Thin
Thin in bridge slang describes: contracts bid without quite adequate values, or bids made with slightly less than normally required strength.
Third
In bridge hand descriptions, third indicates a three-card holding headed by the specified card (example: jack-third means Jxx or jack-tripleton).
Third and Fifth
Third and fifth is a bridge opening lead method using the third-highest card from three or four cards, fifth-highest from longer suits.
Third from Even Low from Odd
Third from even, low from odd is a bridge lead convention using third-highest from even-length suits, lowest from odd-length suits, featured in Journalist leads.
Third Hand
Third hand in bridge refers to: the player third to bid in the auction, or the third player to play a card to any trick.
Third Hand High
Third hand high is a classical bridge card play principle inherited from whist, suggesting playing high cards in third position.
Third Opponent
Third opponent in bridge slang humorously refers to one's partner, implying they're working against you.
Third-Round Control
A third-round control in bridge is either a queen or doubleton, preventing opponents from winning a third trick in that suit.
Thirteener
A thirteener in bridge slang is a card remaining when all other players are void in its suit, the last card of that suit in play.
Threat
A threat in bridge (also called menace) is a card that can potentially win a trick if opponents discard incorrectly during a squeeze.
Three-Quarter Movement
A three-quarter movement in bridge tournaments is a Howell movement variant, also called New England Relay.
Three-Suiter
A three-suiter in bridge is a hand with three suits containing four or more cards each, distributed 4-4-4-1 or 5-4-4-0.
Through
Through in bridge means leading or playing from the right, typically through an opponent's strength toward partner's potential strength.
Throw
Throw (or throw away) in bridge means to discard a card on a trick.
Throw-In Play
A throw-in play in bridge is an endplay technique forcing an opponent on lead at a disadvantageous moment.
Thrump
Thrump in bridge slang refers to: three notrump (noun), or bidding three notrump with marginal values (verb).
Ticket
A ticket in bridge is a card led to utilize an entry in partner's hand, or refers to speeding tickets (penalties).
Tickets
Tickets in bridge slang means either high cards or pick-up slips used to record scores in duplicate tournaments.
Tight
Tight in bridge slang describes: conservative play, unprotected honors (singleton king), or having only cards of one type remaining.
Time Out
Time out in bridge slang refers to an auction following a particular timing or sequence pattern.
Timing
Timing in bridge refers to: the order of plays or planned activities during card play, or the sequence pattern of the auction.
Tine
A tine in bridge is either a ten or nine, the high intermediate spot cards.
To
To (followed by a number) in bridge describes suit length (example: king to four means Kxxx, a four-card suit headed by the king).
TONTO
TONTO is a bridge convention method for responding to three notrump overcalls using transfer sequences.
Top
Top in bridge matchpoint scoring is the highest possible score achievable on a single deal.
Top and Bottom
Top and bottom in bridge describes: a volatile strategy producing extreme results (adjective), or cue-bids showing the highest and lowest unbid suits.
Top of Nothing
Top of nothing is a bridge opening lead convention where leading a high spot card shows no honor strength in the suit.
Top Trick
A top trick in bridge is a card that can immediately win a trick without establishment, like an ace.
Total Points
Total points scoring in bridge (aggregate scoring) adds raw duplicate scores from individual deals together for session results.
Total Tricks
Total tricks in bridge is the sum of tricks both sides can take double-dummy in their respective best trump fits.
Total Trumps
Total trumps in bridge is the combined number of trump cards both partnerships hold in their best-fitting suits.
Touching
Touching in bridge describes cards, honors, or suits that are adjacent in rank (example: queen-jack are touching honors).
Tournament
A tournament in bridge is an organized competitive duplicate bridge event with multiple pairs or teams competing.
Tournament Director
A tournament director in bridge is the official who oversees rules, movements, and dispute resolution during competitive events.
Track
Track in bridge slang means putting down cards on the table, especially when tabling dummy's hand.
Tram Tickets
Tram tickets in bridge slang refers to poor quality cards, weak holdings with little trick-taking potential.
Trance
Trance in bridge slang is another term for huddle, taking extended time to think before making a decision.
Transfer
Transfer in bridge means: a bid showing a different suit (noun), requests for specific partner calls (puppet), or shifting suit protection between opponents.
Transferable Values
Transferable values in bridge are high cards useful on both offense and defense, typically honors in non-concentrated suits.
Trap Pass
A trap pass in bridge is passing with sufficient strength to take action, intending to trap opponents or act later.
Traveler
A traveler in bridge tournaments is the score sheet accompanying each board, recording all results for that deal.
Traveling
Traveling pairs in bridge tournaments move between tables rather than remaining stationary throughout the event.
Traveling Score
Traveling score in bridge is another term for traveler, the score sheet that travels with the board.
Tray
Tray in bridge is another term for board, the device holding the cards for each deal.
Treatment
A treatment in bridge is a partnership's specific interpretation or agreement about the meaning of particular bids or plays.
Trebleton
Trebleton in bridge is an alternative term for tripleton, a three-card holding in a suit.
Trey
A trey in bridge is the three-spot card, the three of any suit.
Trial
A trial in bridge tournaments is a qualifying event where successful contestants advance to more important future competitions.
Trial Bid
A trial bid in bridge is a game-try (occasionally slam-try) showing interest in bidding higher if partner has appropriate values.
Trick
A trick in bridge is a collection of four cards, one contributed by each player in clockwise rotation around the table.
Trick Score
Trick score in bridge is the points awarded for tricks bid and successfully made, counting toward game requirements.
Triple
Triple in bridge describes: a three-suit squeeze against one opponent, or a jump bid two levels above the cheapest jump.
Triple Four by One
Triple four by one in bridge describes 4-4-4-1 distribution, three four-card suits with a singleton.
Triple Raise
A triple raise in bridge is a double-jump raise (example: one spade to four spades, skipping two and three spades).
Triple Squeeze
A triple squeeze in bridge is an advanced squeeze technique against one opponent extending across three different suits.
Triple Stopper
A triple stopper in bridge is a holding that can prevent opponents from running many tricks even after leading the suit three times.
Tripleton
A tripleton in bridge is a three-card holding in a suit, often abbreviated as 'third' in hand descriptions.
Trump
Trump in bridge refers to: the suit ranking above all others (noun), or playing a trump card on a different suit lead (verb).
Trump Control
Trump control in bridge means having sufficient trump length to prevent opponents from cashing side-suit winners freely.
Trump Coup
A trump coup in bridge is an advanced endplay technique to capture opponent's trump honors without leading trumps directly.
Trump Echo
Trump echo in bridge is a high-low signal in trumps, traditionally showing ruffing interest but often used to give count.
Trump Promotion
Trump promotion in bridge increases available trump tricks through overruffs or uppercuts, forcing opponents to use high trumps.
Trump Squeeze
A trump squeeze in bridge requires the ability to ruff in a menace suit after the squeeze is executed for success.
Trump Suit
The trump suit in bridge is the suit determined during bidding whose cards rank above all cards in other suits.
Trump-Ask
A trump-ask (trump asking-bid) in bridge requests partner to describe trump quality or raise with better trumps than already shown.
Trumpwood
Trumpwood in bridge is a Blackwood variant (also called Minorwood) using four of the agreed minor suit to ask for aces.
Truscott
Truscott is a bridge defense convention against big-club openings using low-level bids to show the bid suit plus the next-higher suit.
Turbo
Turbo in bridge control-bidding uses four notrump to show even key cards, with higher control-bids showing odd key-card numbers.
Turkey
Turkey in bridge slang refers to a weak or inexperienced player.
Turn
Turn in bridge refers to a player's position in the bidding rotation or their opportunity to play a card to a trick.
Twelfth
In bridge hand descriptions, twelfth indicates a twelve-card holding headed by specified cards (example: ace-queen-twelfth means AQJ1098765432).
Twist
Twist in bridge slang refers to a secondary suit, typically containing only four cards in the hand.
Two-Club System
A two-club system in bridge uses a strong, artificial two-club opening bid as the foundation of the bidding structure.
Two-Notrump-Family Opening
A two-notrump-family opening in bridge is any 2NT bid by opener showing a balanced hand within a specific strength range.
Two-Over-One Response
A two-over-one response in bridge is a new suit response at the two-level in a lower-ranking suit than opener's bid.
Two-Suiter
A two-suiter in bridge is a hand with two suits containing four or more cards each, typically not applied to 4-4-3-2 patterns.
Two-Way
Two-way in bridge describes calls having multiple fundamental meanings or interpretations.
Two-Way Finesse
A two-way finesse in bridge is a position where either opponent could hold the missing honor (example: AJ opposite K10 for the queen).
Two-Way Stayman
Two-way Stayman in bridge combines two clubs as nonforcing Stayman with two diamonds as forcing (game-forcing) Stayman.
U
Ugly Duckling
Ugly Duckling in bridge refers to the Duckling convention, a specialized bidding agreement (see Duckling for full details).
UMJOODO
UMJOODO (Unusual Major Jump Over One-Diamond Opening) is a bridge convention using two-heart or two-spade jumps to show five spades and four hearts with varying strength.
UMJOOMO
UMJOOMO (Unusual Major Jump Over One-of-a-Minor Opening) is a bridge convention where jump major responses to minor openings show 5-4 in the majors with different strength levels.
Unassuming Cue-Bid
An unassuming cue-bid in bridge is advancer's cue-bid showing strong support for overcaller's suit without guaranteeing game-forcing values.
Unauthorized Information
Unauthorized information in bridge is knowledge players cannot legally use in decisions, such as information gained from partner's slow play or hesitation.
Unbalanced Diamond
An unbalanced diamond opening in bridge is a one-diamond bid specifically showing an unbalanced hand distribution.
Unbalanced Distribution
Unbalanced distribution in bridge includes any pattern with voids, singletons, or two doubletons, excluding balanced patterns like 4-3-3-3, 4-4-3-2, or 5-3-3-2.
Unbalanced Hand
An unbalanced hand in bridge contains unbalanced distribution with voids, singletons, or multiple doubletons.
Unbalanced Majors
Unbalanced majors in bridge refers to one-major openings that specifically promise unbalanced hand distribution.
Unbid Suit
An unbid suit in bridge is any suit that has not been named or indicated during the bidding auction.
Unbids
Unbids in bridge slang refers to suits that remain unbid during the auction.
Unblock
Unblocking in bridge means playing or discarding a high card that would otherwise prevent running an entire suit smoothly.
Under
Under in bridge refers to position: during bidding or play, being to the right of another player or in front of them in the rotation.
Under the Gun
Under the gun in bridge slang describes a dangerous bidding position with unknown strength behind you.
Underbid
Underbidding in bridge means either bidding less than hand strength warrants, or bidding lower than the makeable contract level.
Underbidder
An underbidder in bridge is a player who habitually bids less aggressively than their cards justify.
Underlead
An underlead in bridge is leading a card lower in rank than the highest card held in that suit.
Underruff
Underruff in bridge means ruffing with a trump lower than one already played to the same trick.
Understanding
Understanding in bridge is partnership knowledge that doesn't rise to the level of explicit agreement between partners.
Undertrick
An undertrick in bridge is each trick by which declarer falls short of their contract, resulting in penalty points.
Undertrump
Undertrump in bridge is another term for underruff, playing a trump lower than one already contributed to the trick.
Unfavorable
Unfavorable vulnerability in bridge occurs when your side is vulnerable while opponents are not, making penalties more costly.
Unfinished Rubber
An unfinished rubber in bridge is a rubber bridge game stopped before either partnership has won two games.
Unguard
Unguard in bridge means discarding protective low cards that were accompanying and protecting higher honors.
Unguarded
Unguarded in bridge describes honors not protected by lower cards, vulnerable to capture by opponents' higher cards.
Unlimited
Unlimited in bridge describes bids with no specified upper strength limit below the theoretical maximum possible.
Unlucky Expert
Unlucky Expert is a character from S.J. Simon's bridge writings representing technically brilliant players who can't imagine opponents making mistakes.
Unmixed
An unmixed partnership in bridge consists of two players of the same gender.
Unpassed
Unpassed in bridge describes a player who has not passed before the first bid was made in the auction.
Unpenalty Double
An unpenalty double in bridge is a slam double showing zero defensive tricks, typically asking partner to choose a different contract.
Unplayable
Unplayable in bridge describes: contracts that are clearly inferior or destined to fail, or bidding systems producing obviously poor results.
Unseeded
Unseeded players in bridge tournaments are those not selected as highly-rated, or rated lower than their current opponent.
Unsupported
Unsupported in bridge means: suits not raised by partner, honors lacking the next-lower card, or unguarded honors.
Unusual Notrump
Unusual notrump in bridge is an artificial notrump overcall showing distribution, typically indicating a minor two-suited hand.
Unusual Over Unusual
Unusual over unusual is a bridge convention responding to opponent's unusual notrump, using cue-bids to show support and strength levels.
Up
Up in bridge means: being ahead in score, or an instruction to dummy to play a high card from the specified suit.
Up the Line
Up the line in bridge describes: bidding the cheapest of equivalent suits or features, or playing the lowest of available equivalent cards.
Up To
Up to in bridge means: leading from the left of a hand (preposition), or leading toward specific cards across the table.
Uppercut
An uppercut in bridge is ruffing to force out an opponent's higher trump, typically to promote partner's trump holding.
Upside-Down
Upside-down in bridge (sometimes called inverted) describes signals or conventions with meanings opposite to traditional or natural interpretations.
USBF
USBF (United States Bridge Federation) is the national governing body for bridge in the United States.
Useful Space Principle
The Useful Space Principle in bridge involves assigning bid meanings so remaining bidding space matches the auction's informational needs.
Utility One-Notrump Response
Utility one-notrump response in bridge is a weak 1NT reply to one-level openings, possibly including suits that could have been bid at the one-level.
V
Valet
Valet in bridge is another term for the jack, one of the face cards in each suit.
Values
Values in bridge refers to hand strength, particularly offensive values (trick-taking potential) or defensive values (ability to defeat opponent contracts).
Vanderbilt Club System
The Vanderbilt Club System is an early big-club bidding system in bridge, one of the pioneering strong club approaches.
Vanderbilt Cup
The Vanderbilt Cup is one of the major American national team bridge championships, played as a knockout tournament event.
Variable Notrump
Variable notrump in bridge (also called split notrump) uses different point ranges for 1NT openings based on vulnerability conditions.
Venice Cup
The Venice Cup is the world team bridge championship for women, one of the most prestigious international bridge competitions.
Verify
Verify in bridge means confirming and agreeing upon the score for a deal, session, or match between competing pairs or teams.
Vice
Vice in bridge is an alternative spelling of vise, a specialized squeeze technique (see Vise for full definition).
Victory Points
Victory points in bridge is a scoring system for team events where match scores are converted to standardized points using a scale.
Vienna Coup
The Vienna Coup in bridge is an advanced play technique of cashing winners early to prevent blockage in an upcoming squeeze position.
View
View in bridge slang refers to a player's decision about what action to take or their assessment of the deal's card layout.
Virtual Cue-Bid
A virtual cue-bid in bridge is bidding a suit that opponents have shown artificially, such as bidding a transfer suit to show controls.
Vise
A vise (also vice) in bridge is a squeeze forcing an opponent to discard from honors ranking between the squeezer's split honors when neither is the master card.
Void
A void in bridge is holding zero cards in a particular suit, offering significant ruffing potential in suit contracts.
Voidwood
Voidwood in bridge (also called Exclusion Blackwood) asks for aces while excluding a specific void suit from the count.
Vondracek Phenomenon
The Vondracek Phenomenon in bridge describes rare deals where the weaker of identically distributed trump suits produces the superior contract.
VP
VP in bridge is the abbreviation for victory points, used in team scoring systems.
Vu-Graph
Vu-Graph in bridge is a display method projecting live bridge hands and play to audiences during major tournaments.
Vulnerability
Vulnerability in bridge indicates which side (if any) has scored a game and is therefore subject to higher scoring stakes.
Vulnerability Conditions Amber
Amber vulnerability (UK bridge slang) means both sides are vulnerable, increasing scoring stakes equally for both partnerships.
Vulnerability Conditions Equal
Equal vulnerability in bridge slang means neither side is vulnerable or both sides are vulnerable, creating balanced scoring conditions.
Vulnerability Conditions Favorable
Favorable vulnerability in bridge means being non-vulnerable against vulnerable opponents, offering advantageous sacrifice opportunities.
Vulnerability Conditions Green
Green vulnerability (UK bridge slang) means non-vulnerable against vulnerable opponents, the most favorable condition for competitive bidding.
Vulnerability Conditions Horse and Horse
Horse and horse vulnerability in bridge slang means both sides are vulnerable, balancing the scoring risks equally.
Vulnerability Conditions Hot
Hot vulnerability in bridge slang means your side is vulnerable, increasing both potential bonuses and penalties.
Vulnerability Conditions Hot Versus Not
Hot versus not vulnerability in bridge slang means vulnerable against non-vulnerable opponents, an unfavorable competitive situation.
Vulnerability Conditions Red Against Red
Red against red vulnerability (US bridge slang) means both sides are vulnerable, creating equal high-stakes conditions.
Vulnerability Conditions Red Against White
Red against white vulnerability (US bridge slang) means vulnerable against non-vulnerable opponents, an unfavorable bidding situation.
Vulnerability Conditions Red UK
Red vulnerability (UK bridge slang) means vulnerable against non-vulnerable opponents, the most unfavorable competitive condition.
Vulnerability Conditions Red US
Red vulnerability (US bridge slang) means your side is vulnerable, subject to increased bonuses and penalties.
Vulnerability Conditions Unfavorable
Unfavorable vulnerability in bridge means vulnerable against non-vulnerable opponents, discouraging aggressive competitive actions.
Vulnerability Conditions White Against Red
White against red vulnerability (US bridge slang) means non-vulnerable against vulnerable opponents, highly favorable for competitive bidding.
Vulnerability Conditions White Against White
White against white vulnerability (US bridge slang) means neither side is vulnerable, minimizing penalties and bonuses.
Vulnerability Conditions White UK
White vulnerability (UK bridge slang) means neither side is vulnerable, offering the safest competitive environment.
Vulnerability Conditions White US
White vulnerability (US bridge slang) means non-vulnerable, with lower bonuses and penalties in effect.
Vulnerable
Vulnerable in bridge means having scored one game toward rubber, increasing both bonuses for making contracts and penalties for failing.
W
Wagner Two Diamonds
Wagner Two Diamonds in bridge is a two-diamond opening showing either a weak two-bid in hearts or spades, or at least 5-5 in the majors.
Waiting
A waiting bid in bridge is a non-descriptive call made to avoid misdescribing the hand, used when other actions would give incorrect information.
Waive
Waive in bridge means choosing not to enforce a penalty that rules would otherwise allow.
Walk
Walk in bridge slang means bidding gradually or incrementally through the auction rather than jumping immediately to the final contract.
Walk the Dog
Walk the dog in bridge slang means bidding slowly and incrementally during the auction, taking gradual steps upward.
Wallet
A wallet in bridge is a type of board (device) used to hold and organize cards for duplicate bridge deals.
Walsh
Walsh (also called Western Scientific) is a bridge bidding system featuring limited actions, including bypassing diamonds to bid majors without game-forcing strength over one club.
Wash
Wash (or washout) in bridge slang refers to a deal producing no net score difference in team-of-four play, also called a push.
Wasted Values
Wasted values in bridge are honors or high cards that don't contribute to trick-taking, such as a king opposite partner's singleton.
WBF
WBF (World Bridge Federation) is the international governing body organizing and regulating bridge worldwide.
Weak
Weak in bridge describes: hands lacking strength (low point count), or preemptive bids designed to obstruct opponents' bidding.
Weak Jump-Overcall
A weak jump-overcall in bridge is a preemptive jump bid over opponent's opening, showing a long suit with limited high-card strength.
Weak Jump-Shift
A weak jump-shift in bridge is a single-jump response in a new suit used preemptively rather than showing strength.
Weak Notrump
Weak notrump in bridge is a 1NT opening showing a balanced hand with minimum opening strength, typically 12-14 or 13-15 points.
Weak Two-Bid
A weak two-bid in bridge is an opening at the two-level showing a six-card suit with less than opening one-bid strength.
Web
A web in bridge tournaments is a specialized pairs movement format for organizing duplicate competition.
Weiss
Weiss is a bridge defense convention against preempts using doubles with balanced hands and minor-suit bids for takeout.
West
West in bridge is one of the four compass directions, typically representing the player on declarer's left in standard diagrams.
Western Cue-Bid
Western cue-bid in bridge is another name for California cue-bid, a convention showing strong raises through opponent's suit.
Western Scientific
Western Scientific in bridge is another name for Walsh system, featuring bypassing diamonds and limited bidding actions.
Whack
Whack in bridge slang means to make a penalty double of opponent's contract.
Wheel
A wheel in bridge is an arrangement where three or more players agree among themselves to field one pair in competition.
Where I Live
Where I live in bridge refers to the critical suit or holding where a player's hand value primarily resides (see Live).
Where One Lives
Where one lives in bridge indicates the key suit or values that determine the true strength of a player's hand (see Live).
Whist
Whist is one of the historical forerunner card games that evolved into modern contract bridge.
White
White vulnerability in bridge slang indicates non-vulnerable status (see Vulnerability Conditions for full details).
White Against Red
White against red vulnerability in bridge means non-vulnerable against vulnerable opponents, favorable for competitive bidding (see Vulnerability Conditions).
White Against White
White against white vulnerability in bridge means neither side is vulnerable, creating minimal penalty risk (see Vulnerability Conditions).
Wholesale
Wholesale in bridge means showing total number of controls or honors rather than identifying which specific cards are held.
Wide Open
Wide open in bridge means: lacking a stopper in a suit (for notrump contracts), or lacking control in a suit (for slam bidding).
Winkle
A winkle in bridge is a squeeze or endplay exploiting opponents' blocked suit position that they cannot overcome.
Winner
A winner in bridge is a high card that can or will take a trick, either immediately or after establishment.
Wire
Wire in bridge slang refers to illegal advance information about a deal's card distribution or results.
Wish Trick
A wish trick in bridge is a four-card trick containing the 5, 4, 3, and 2 of the same suit, a rare occurrence.
Wolff Signoff
Wolff Signoff in bridge uses three clubs over opener's 2NT jump to request three diamonds, allowing responder to sign off weakly in their original suit.
Wombat
A wombat in bridge is an antipodean squeeze where the squeezed opponent faces either a forced unblock or a secondary squeeze.
Wonder Bid
A wonder bid in bridge shows either length in the bid suit OR shortness in that suit with length in the other three suits.
Woolsey
Woolsey is a comprehensive bridge defense convention over 1NT openings using doubles and two-level bids to show various two-suited hands.
Work Count
Work count in bridge is the standard 4-3-2-1 point-count system assigning values to aces, kings, queens, and jacks.
Working Card
A working card in bridge is any card with potential value to the partnership in their intended trump suit or notrump contract.
World Bridge Federation
The World Bridge Federation (WBF) is the international organizing body governing bridge competitions and regulations worldwide.
Wriggle
Wriggle in bridge means attempting to escape to a better alternative contract, often after being doubled by opponents.
Wrong Side
Wrong side in bridge refers to the less favorable declarer placement compared to having partner declare from the opposite side of the table.
Wrongside
Wrongside in bridge slang means placing declarer on the unfavorable side of the table, usually exposing a key holding to opening lead.
WTP
WTP in bridge is an acronym for What's The Problem, used when a decision or play seems obvious.
X
X
(1) (usually lower case) low card; card lacking trick-taking potential or other importance
(2) (usually upper case) abbreviation for “double” in bidding diagrams or the naming of contracts. [Usage: 1 NT X = one notrump doubled.]
(3) (on a matchpoint recap sheet) one-half
XX
(usually upper case) abbreviation for "redouble" in bidding diagrams or the naming of contracts. [Usage: 1 NT XX = one notrump redoubled.]
XYZ
In a partnership auction, after three suit bids at the one-level: (a) a rebid of two clubs by responder as a marionette to two diamonds (opener temporarily acts as though responder would pass two diamonds), after which responder may pass or make a game-invitational bid in any strain; (b) a rebid of two diamonds by responder as an artificial game-force; (c) a rebid of three clubs by responder as weak
Y
yarborough
(1) a hand containing no honor card
(2) (slang) a weak or relatively weak hand
Yellow Card
See: Standard American Yellow Card
Z
Zero
the lowest possible score on a deal in a matchpoint contest
Zero or two higher
descriptive of a lead (usually the ten or nine) that shows either the top of a non-interior sequence or the third highest of an interior sequence
Zilch
(slang) nothing, or nothing of value (in a particular suit or a hand)
Zoom
a reply to an asking-bid that combines an answer to the explicit question with an answer to a potential follow-up question [For example, in the Bridge World Standard partnership sequence one spade -- four notrump (key-card-ask for spades) -- five diamonds (1 or 4 key cards) -- five hearts (spade-queen-ask) -- ?, if lacking the spade queen, opener bids five spades; holding the spade queen, opener can bid five notrump with no plain-suit king, six clubs with the king of clubs, and so forth, as if responder had made a specific-king-ask.]
