How much is a slam worth in bridge?
I · Intermediate · Scoring · 2 of 5Bidding and making 12 tricks, a small slam, earns 500 not vulnerable or 750 vulnerable; all 13, a grand slam, 1000 or 1500. Overtricks score at trick value, or 100 or 200 each if doubled. If declarer falls short, the defenders score for each undertrick: 50 or 100 undoubled, rising steeply when doubled.
How it works
- Small slam: 500 not vulnerable, 750 vulnerable.
- Grand slam: 1000 not vulnerable, 1500 vulnerable.
- Overtricks undoubled: trick value.
- Overtricks doubled: 100 not vulnerable, 200 vulnerable.
- Undertricks undoubled: 50 each not vulnerable, 100 vulnerable.
- Doubled, not vulnerable: 100, then 200, 200, then 300 for the fourth and each after.
- Doubled, vulnerable: 200, then 300 each.
- Redoubled: twice the doubled figures.
The glossary has the slam, the premium points, the overtrick, the undertrick, the double and the vulnerability.
Tricky cases
Three down doubled, not vulnerable. How many points?
500: 100 plus 200 plus 200.
Does a slam bonus count if only 12 tricks are made in a grand slam?
No. The grand slam failed, so it is one down.
Do overtricks earn the slam bonus?
No. A slam must be bid to earn its bonus.
What if nobody bids?
Each side scores zero on that board.
Why the rule exists
Large slam bonuses reward bold, accurate bidding. Steep doubled penalties stop sides overbidding to block their opponents.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Not vulnerable, doubled | Fourth undertrick and after, 300 | Law 77 |
| Vulnerable, doubled | 200, then 300 each | Law 77 |
| Redoubled | Twice the doubled values | Law 77 |
From the rule book
World Bridge Federation, The Laws of Duplicate Bridge 2017, Law 77 (premiums and undertricks). Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the WBF Laws of Duplicate Bridge 2017.