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The definitions of Bridge are many and varied, so we thought we’d leave it to the experts at the Acol Bridge Club (the legendary London Bridge club famous for devising the Acol biding system) to explain it all.

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What is Bridge?
Bridge is a card game played by over 20 million people worldwide. James Bond, Omar Sharif, Bill Gates, Martina Navratilova and various members of Radiohead are numbered among its devotees. Because bridge develops partnership co-operation and analytical skills it is on the national school curriculum in both Poland and China.

As a social game it is unparalleled - offering the opportunity to meet new people and make new friends. Bridge offers a unique combination of challenges and with every deal different, success depends on a combination of technique, psychology (or cunning!) and teamwork. Bridge is such a mental 'workout' that medical research has proved that playing regularly staves off degenerative diseases such as Alzheimers.

How does it work?
Bridge requires four players, formed into two partnerships. You sit opposite your partner. All the equipment you need is a pack of cards, which get dealt out round the table so that everyone has thirteen - their hand. The cards should then be sorted into suits; spades, hearts, diamonds and clubs.
There are two stages to Bridge
(i) The bidding, (or auction)
(ii) The playing out of the cards, (or declaring)
Stage (i) involves the two partnerships bidding in a special Bridge language or code (known as Acol after the club where it was designed). The language contains only fifteen words, but needs to be learnt as accuracy is vital. Via this language a goal or contract is established. Stage (ii) is reminiscent of Whist, both partnerships trying to take tricks (a trick is when each player contributes a card, the highest one winning). Two defenders compete against one declarer to try and complete or defeat the contract or target set in stage(i). What happens to the fourth player? They make the tea, get the beer from the fridge or simply kick back and relax.

How do you learn?
Bridge needs to be learnt but is great fun right from the outset. Get a friend to teach you, join a local club, or check out your local adult education centre as many run Bridge courses. Or try a course at the home of British Bridge: the world famous Acol Bridge Club, where a number of courses for complete beginners are available throughout the year. Be warned however, Bridge is great fun and highly addictive!

Feel like giving it all a go?
Well, help is at hand! Download our BEGINNER'S BRIDGE GUIDE, courtesy of our Bridge expert Andrew McIntosh. All you need is four people, a pack of cards and you're ready to begin.

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