Now that you have a basic understanding of Minibridge, you will need to know how to score.

Each deal is scored independently, and the winners of the session are the partnership that scores the most points overall. The score for the deal should be recorded at the end of play of each deal, preferably by each of the players.

Points are awarded to the declaring side for tricks made over and above six. The seventh and each subsequent trick earn points which vary according to the denomination chosen for the deal – no trumps or a particular suit as trumps. Bonus points are awarded for part-score or game contracts.

Declaring and making ‘game’ scores best, because a large ‘game bonus’ is added. ‘Part score’ contracts are not so profitable, but extra tricks (called ‘overtricks’) are awarded points whether a game or a part score contract is played. There is thus always good reason to play the cards skilfully to make as many tricks as possible. Game is only made and the game bonus earned where a game contract has been chosen and declared; game is not made where numerous extra tricks have been made in a part score contract.

If declarer fails to make the required number of tricks – that is at least 7 for a part score or the appropriate target number for a game contract – the declaring side score nothing and the defending side get 50 points for each trick short (called ‘undertricks’). The precise values are as follows:

1 - Scoring tricks

Whatever the contract, the first six tricks won do not count towards the score. The seventh trick is the first scoring trick, and for each scoring trick points are won depending on the contract chosen, as follows:
No-trump contracts
40 for the first scoring trick
30 for each subsequent trick

Spade or heart contracts:
30 for each scoring trick

Diamond or club contracts:
20 for each scoring trick

Examples:
With Club as trumps, the trick score for 8 tricks is 40 points.
With Spade as trumps, the trick score for 10 tricks is 120 points.
In no trumps, the trick score for 9 tricks is 100 points.

2 - Game contracts

Game contracts are those where the trick score totals 100 or more.

Game in no trumps requires 9 tricks, ie 40 + (2 x 30) = 100 points. A game bonus of 300 is then added, so the total points earned are 400. If more than 9 tricks are won, each overtrick scores an extra 30.

(When calculating the score for a no trump contract, it is often easier to multiply each trick won by 30, then add 10 points at the end).

Game in spades or hearts requires 10 tricks, i.e. 30 x 4 = 120 points. A game bonus of 300 is then added, so the total points earned are 420. If more than 10 tricks are won, each overtrick scores an extra 30.

Game in diamonds or clubs requires 11 tricks, i.e. 20 x 5 = 100 points. A game bonus of 300 is then added, so the total points earned are 400. If more than 11 tricks are won, each overtrick scores an extra 20.

Examples:

A game contract in no trumps, making 10 tricks, scores 430 points

A game contract in diamonds, making 12 tricks, scores 420 points

3 - Part score contracts

In all part score contracts, 7 tricks have to be made. A part score bonus of 50 is then added when the contract is made.

Scoring tricks attract points in the same way as game contracts.

Examples:
A part score contract in hearts, 9 tricks are made:
scores 30 for the scoring trick in hearts = 30 plus 60 for the two overtricks @ 30 points each = 90 plus the bonus of 50 = 140.

4 - Unsuccessful contracts

If declarer does not win the number of tricks required to make the contract, the declaring side get no score and the defending side earn 50 points for every undertrick. For example, if the contract was game in spades, and declarer made only 8 tricks, the defending side would score 100 points.

Examples:
A part score in no trumps makes 5 tricks. The defenders get 100 points.
A game contract in hearts makes nine tricks. The defenders get 50 points.