Contract bridge rules, for watching
Start with how a match works. Then the rules you see every few minutes, then the ones that change results.
Checked 14 October 2026
Settling an argument? Search all 16 rules
- How does duplicate bridge work?
- How are dealer and vulnerability decided in bridge?
- How does bidding work in bridge?
- How is a hand of bridge played?
- What can dummy do in bridge?
- How are points scored in bridge?
- How much is a slam worth in bridge?
- What is the difference between matchpoints and IMPs?
- What happens after an insufficient bid in bridge?
- What happens if a defender leads out of turn in bridge?
- What is a revoke in bridge?
- How do claims work in bridge?
- Do you have to explain your bids in bridge?
- What happens if my partner hesitates in bridge?
- Is bluffing allowed in bridge?
- What does the Director do in bridge?
Where these rules come from
| Tag | Document |
|---|---|
| Law with number and section, for example Law 27B1(a) | WBF, The Laws of Duplicate Bridge 2017 |
| R | "Why the rule exists", or a point reasoned from the rule, not stated in it |
| C | Common usage or general knowledge, not a rule |
Checked on 14 October 2026.