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An adding machine

Adding machines are not allowed at the bridge table

The score at rubber bridge

The points scored for different contracts are not too difficult to remember with the possible exception of those occasions when they are doubled or redoubled. These unusual scores are, nonetheless, important, particularly in sacrifices.

TRICK SCORE

Scored by declarer's side, below the line, if the contract is fulfilled

For each trick over six, bid and made

TRUMPS
 
C D H S
Undoubled
20 20 30 30
40 40 60 60
80 80 120 120
Doubled
Redoubled

 

IN A NO-TRUMP CONTRACT
 
undoubled doubled redoubled
For the first odd trick bid and made
For each additional trick
40 80 160
30 60 120

OVERTRICKS

Tricks made in excess of contract are called overtricks and are scored above the line.

For each overtrick non-vulnerable vulnerable
undoubled trick value trick value
doubled 100 200
redoubled 200 400

BONUS POINTS for game, part-score, and fulfilling doubled contract (all scored above the line).

GAME

A score of 100 points or more, whether made on one hand or several, constitutes a game. Any game by one side means that the next game by either side must start from scratch. Two games for one side constitutes a rubber.

For achieving a three-game rubber 500
For achieving a two-game rubber (the opponents have no game) 700
In an unfinished rubber  
For making any part-score 50
For making a game 300
For making any doubled contract 50
For making any redoubled contract 100

SLAMS

BONUS for bidding and making a slam:-

  non-vulnerable vulnerable
Small slam (12 tricks) 500 750
Grand slam (13 tricks) 1000 1500

HONOURS

Honours are a relic of a more extensive system of rewards from an earlier form of the game. They can be scored by either side.

For holding four of the five trump honours in one hand 100
For holding all five trump honours in one hand 150
For holding all four trump aces in one hand in a no-trump contract 150

UNDERTRICKS

Whenever a contract fails, the deficit is referred to as undertricks. Colloquially we talk of going two light (failing by two tricks) etc.

UNDERTRICK PENALTIES Non-vulnerable
undoubled doubled redoubled
first undertrick
50 100 200
50 200 400
50 200 400
second undertrick
third undertrick
fourth and subsequent undertricks
50 300 600

 

UNDERTRICK PENALTIES

Vulnerable
undoubled doubled redoubled
first undertrick 100 200 400
second and subsequent  undertricks 100 300 600

Try your hand at these. Answers from here.

(A)   (1) We bid and make 2H.

         (2) Opponents bid 3C and make 10 tricks

         (3) We bid 1NT and go one light

         (4)  Opponents bid and make 1C

         (5)  We bid 1NT and make 10 tricks

         (6)  We bid 4H, just making.

 

   (B)   (1)  Opponents bid and make 3NT

           (2)  We bid 4H, are doubled and go 2 off

           (3)  Opponents try 6H, are doubled and go 3 off.

           (4)  We bid 2H and make 9 tricks

           (5)  We bid 6D, making 12 tricks.

            (6)  We bid 3NT, making 11 tricks

 

   (C)   (1)  We bid 2H, are doubled and make 10 tricks

            (2)  Opponents bid 4H and go 3 light

            (3)  Opponents bid and make 3NT.

            (4)  We bid and make a grand slam in hearts.

Historical Snippet

Cheating at bridge is not an issue if you are playing at home with friends, since presumably a cheat would be ostracised.
In competitions, however, steps must be taken to ensure that information imparted, albeit inadvertently, is kept to a minimum.

Bidding boxes are used so that the need to say the bid is replaced by a card taken from the box, while in  important international events, large screens would be placed diagonally across the table !