How is a hand of bridge played?
B · Beginner · The game · 4 of 5After the auction, the defender on declarer's left makes the opening lead face down, then faces it. Declarer's partner, dummy, then lays their hand face up, and declarer plays both hands. Each player must follow suit if they can. A trick goes to the highest trump, or if no trump was played, the highest card of the suit led.
How it works
- Opening lead: by the player on declarer's left, first face down.
- Questions: asked before the lead is faced.
- Dummy: spread face up in suits, trumps on dummy's right.
- Declarer: plays both their own hand and dummy's.
- Follow suit: required whenever possible.
- Cannot follow: any card may be played.
- Winner: the highest trump, or the highest card of the suit led.
- Next lead: from the hand that won the trick.
The glossary has the opening lead, the declarer, the dummy, the following suit, the trump and the trick.
Tricky cases
Why is the opening lead face down first?
So the defenders and declarer can ask final questions before play begins.
When is a card from dummy played?
When declarer names it, or deliberately touches it for any reason other than arranging the cards.
When is a defender's card played?
When it is held so their partner could see its face.
Can declarer play dummy's card themselves?
Yes, if necessary, though normally dummy picks it up.
Why the rule exists
A face-down lead lets questions be asked before it is too late to change it. Following suit is the core rule that makes card play a skill.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Face-down opening lead | Law 41A |
| Some events | Opening lead face up | Law 41, footnote 9 |
| Trick 13 | A lead out of turn must be retracted | Law 53A |
From the rule book
World Bridge Federation, The Laws of Duplicate Bridge 2017, Laws 41, 44 and 45. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the WBF Laws of Duplicate Bridge 2017.