Bridge Bidding Cheat Sheet
Everything you need at the table on one page: how to count your hand, what each opening shows, and how to respond — the standard system distilled to its essentials.
Step 1 — Count Your Hand
Value every hand the same way before you do anything else. High-card points are the currency of bidding.
High-Card Points & Targets
Step 2 — Opening Bids
With opening values, pick the bid that best describes your strength and shape. Full detail in opening bids.
Standard Opening Bids
Step 3 — Responding to a Suit Opening
When partner opens one of a suit, answer with your points and your support.
Responses to 1 of a Suit
Step 4 — Responding to 1NT
Partner’s range is known, so take charge. The full guide is responding to 1NT.
The Key Conventions
Four agreements cover most of what you will meet early on. Add them once the natural bidding above is automatic.
No-Trump Tools
- Stayman (2♣) — find a 4-4 major fit
- Transfers (2♦/2♥) — show a five-card major
Slam Tools
- Blackwood (4NT) — ask for aces
- Cue bids — show controls toward slam
Key Takeaways
- Count A=4, K=3, Q=2, J=1; open with 12+, aim for game at 25–26.
- Open a five-card major, the better minor, or 1NT with 15–17 balanced.
- Respond by supporting a fit, showing a new suit, or bidding no-trump.
- Over 1NT use Stayman and transfers to find the right major.
- Add Blackwood and cue bids only when you are heading for slam.
Related Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
Count aces as 4, kings as 3, queens as 2 and jacks as 1, for 40 high-card points in the deck. Open the bidding with about 12 or more, and aim for game with around 25 to 26 combined.
Open one of a suit with 12 to 21 points, 1NT with a balanced 15 to 17, 2NT with 20 to 21, a strong artificial 2 clubs with 22 or more, and weak twos with a six-card suit and 6 to 10 points.
Pass with 0 to 5 points, raise partner with support and 6 to 9, show a new suit at the one level with 6 or more, or bid 1NT with 6 to 9 and no fit. Jump raises show support with extra values.
Use 2 clubs Stayman to find a four-card major, transfers of 2 diamonds or 2 hearts to show a five-card major, 2NT to invite with 8 to 9, and 3NT for game with 10 to 15.
About 25 to 26 combined high-card points is the usual target for game. With a good trump fit or a long suit you can sometimes succeed with a little less.
Stayman and Jacoby transfers for no-trump auctions, and Blackwood for slam, cover the essentials. Add further conventions once these and the natural bidding feel automatic.