Quick Reference
Call Bridge Rules
A complete rules reference for Call Bridge — from setup through scoring. Bookmark this page for whenever you need a quick reminder during play.
Setup
Players4 (individual — no partnerships)
DeckStandard 52-card deck, no jokers
Cards per player13 (deal the entire deck)
Trump suitSpades ♠ — always, every round
Number of rounds5 (one open + four bid rounds)
Winning targetFirst to 30 points
Round Structure
R1
Open
Open Round — no bidding
All players play their 13 cards without declaring a call. Every trick won = +1 point. No penalties.
R2–5
Bid
Bid Rounds — call before you play
Each player declares their call (2–13 tricks) before any card is played. All bids are independent. Bids cannot be changed once declared.
Bidding Rules
Minimum call2 tricks
Maximum call13 tricks
Bid orderAny agreed order (e.g. clockwise)
Partnership biddingNo — each player bids alone
Changing your bidNot allowed once declared
PassingNot allowed — must bid ≥ 2
Trick-Playing Rules
Follow suitYou must play a card of the led suit if you have one.
Void in led suitIf you have no cards in the led suit, you may play any card — including a spade (trump).
Leading spadesYou may lead with a spade after a spade has been played in any earlier trick ("trump is broken").
Trick winnerHighest card of the led suit wins — unless one or more spades were played, in which case the highest spade wins.
Next leadThe trick winner leads the first card of the next trick.
Scoring Table
↑Met your call exactly
+tricks calledCall 4, win 4 → +4↑Won more than your call
+tricks called onlyCall 4, win 7 → +4★Called 6+ — met exactly ★
+tricks × 2 (double)Call 7, win 7 → +14↓Called 6+ — missed
−tricks called (no double)Call 7, win 6 → −7↓Missed your call
−tricks calledCall 5, win 3 → −5↑Round 1 — open round
+tricks won (no bid)Win 5 → +5Winning
The first player to reach 30 points wins the game.
If two or more players reach 30 in the same round, the higher score wins. If still tied, play one additional round.
House variant: some groups play to 21 or 40 — agree before the first deal.