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The Major Suits
In Bridge, the heart and spade suit are major suits and often referred to as ‘the
majors’.
Of the two suits, Spades ♠ ranks higher than Hearts ♥.
Of the two suits, Spades ♠ ranks higher than Hearts ♥.
The MajorsThe spade and heart suit are major suits, often referred to simply as 'the majors' – Spades ♠ & Hearts ♥
The major suits are important for biddingThis term is also called the 'auction.' In each online deal, a player is the nominated as the dealer -this title rotates each new game. The dealer is the player who starts the bidding even if its a pass. Players take their turn at bidding in turn and in order ... tactics and scoring in Bridge as they outrank and out-reward over the minor suits, and also outscore them (30 points per contracted trick for major suits—as opposed to 20 points per contracted trick for the minor suits).The Majors and bidding to game
Another key difference is getting the bonus points from bidding to game level. In the major suits game level is 4H or 4S. The bonus points for bidding to game are +250 points if not vulnerable and +450 points if vulnerable. For example if you bid 3H but made 4(10 tricksA round of 4 cards where each player contributes 1 card. There are 13 tricks in a game of bridge.) your score would be +170 points; however if you bid 4H and make them your score is +420 points not-vul or +620 points vul, this is a huge premium and points winning opportunity The tactics of bidding in bridge revolves around the attempt by partnerships
to find a “fit” (8 cards between the partners) in one of the major suits that will allow them to try
to make a game
contractThe final suit and level of bidding sets the number of tricks and the trump suit for the game.This is called the contract. The partnership that wins the bidding can earn the points if they succeed in getting the number of tricks they contracted.
The number ... when they hold sufficient Total Points.
The number ... when they hold sufficient Total Points.
| 1 ♠ or 1 ♥ Opening Bids |
|---|
| 1. Spades and Hearts are the 2 top ranked suits in that order |
| 2. 13-21 Total Points (TP) |
| 3. Promises a 4 or 5-card suit depending on your system |
| 4. Open your longest suit |
| 5. With two 5-card suits, open the higher ranked suit |
| 4 ♠ or 4 ♥ Games |
|---|
| 1. 4H or 4S means you need 10 tricks to make your contract |
| 2. Gives +250 bonus points if not vulnerable |
| 3. Gives +450 bonus points if vulnerable |
Instant Progress Quiz – Check the correct answer
Major Suits – Practice Game
Experienced players recognise Major Suits instantly but for beginners it takes more time and adds to that ‘cognitive overload’ that many beginners experience. Use our Major Suits practice game to boost your recognition of major suits
Exercise:
Your Hand
- ♠A Q 7 3 2
- ♥ A Q J 8 4
- ♦ 8 4
- ♣ 6
Exercise: What would you open the bidding with this hand?
Answer: The
correct opening bid with this hand is 1 ♠. With 2 five card major suits (majors) open the higher ranked
suit first. Note that with fewer points you should pass.
Responses
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1 s
one spade
2h
I would open the heart first as hearts and spades give the same points and your partner has a chance to bid at the 1 level if they have few points.