Scoring : Bridge Online
The score for making a contract is made up of two parts: points for tricks bid and points for tricks made. We'll look first at points for tricks bid, but before we start, you need to know some terminology.
Low level contract are called 'part-scores'. Contracts of 3NT, 4♥, 4♠, 5♣ and 5♦ are called 'games'. 6-level contracts are called 'slams' and 7-level contracts are called 'grand slams'.
Notice that with game contracts, hearts and spades only require 10 tricks, whereas clubs and diamonds require 11 tricks. Hearts and spades are called 'majors', clubs and diamonds are called 'minors'. Remember too, it's not enough just to make the tricks, you have to bid to the appropriate level to get the bonus points.
The bonus for a part-score is always 50 points. The bonus for other contracts depends on whether or not you are 'vulnerable'. When you start playing a hand on your computer, the vulnerability will be indicated on your screen.
Bonus
partscore = 50
game = 300 non vul, 500 vul
small slam = 500 non vul, 750 vul
grand slam = 1000 non vul, 1500 vul
Now the trick points. For the minor suits, each trick made is worth 20 points. For the majors, each trick is worth 30 points. For notrumps, each trick is worth 30 points but you get an extra 10 points.
Trick Value
minors = 20 per trick
majors = 30 per trick
notrumps = 30 per tick + extra 10
Example 1.
1♣ making 2♣ = 2 x 20 = 40 points.
Add to that the bonus, a part-score of 50 in this case, and the total score is 90.
Example 2.
4♥ making 5♥ (vulnerable) = 5 x 30 = 150 points.
Add to that the bonus, 500 for a vulnerable game, and the total score is 650.
Even if you can't remember all the details, remember two important things.
1. Game is worth a lot more than a part-score.
2. Notrumps need 9 tricks for game. Hearts and spades need 10, and clubs and diamonds need 11 tricks.
Penalty for not making your contract
50 per trick, not vulnerable
100 per trick, vulnerable
The penalty increases when you are doubled.
Non vulnerable:
1 down = 100
2 down = 300
3 down = 500
4 down = 800 and so on in increments of 300
Vulnerable:
1 down = 200
2 down = 500
3 down = 800
4 down = 1100 and so on in increments of 300