Balanced hand

One with a relatively equal number of cards in each suit. No void or singleton, not more than one doubleton.

Board

The container which holds a deal and shows who is dealer. Sometimes called a wallet.

Bonus

Extra points for making a contract, The part score bonus is 50 points and game bonus is 300 points.

Cash

To play a winning card or cards. To ‘cash out’ is to take all your winning cards.

Claim

When the play is clear-cut, declarer may show his/her hand, claiming a stated number of tricks.

Contract

The announcement by declarer of the denomination (trump suit or no trumps) for this deal and the target number of tricks to be won by the declaring side.

Deal

Fifty-two cards distributed so each player has thirteen cards.

Dealer

The player who announces points first on a deal. 

Declarer

The player on the side winning the contract who has the most points, or who announced points first. Declarer has responsibility for playing both his/her hand and dummy.

Defeat the contract

To win, in defence, enough tricks so that declarer fails to make the contract.
Defenders score 50 points for each undertrick.

Defence

The line of play adopted by the defenders.

Defenders

The two players in opposition to declarer. Often referred to as LHO (left-hand opponent) and RHO (right-hand opponent).

Discarding

Playing another suit (not trumps) when unable to play a card in the suit led, preferably throwing a card that gives helpful information to partner.

Doubleton

A holding of two cards in a suit, often shown by either leading the higher or playing the higher one before the lower.

Drawing trumps

Continuing to lead trumps until opponents have none left – this involves counting the cards played to make sure all opposition trumps have been drawn.

Ducking (hold-up)

Deliberately withholding a high card which could have won a trick.

Dummy

The hand of declarer’s partner which is placed up on the table.

Duplicate competition

Where the result on each deal is determined by comparison with scores achieved by other pairs playing the same deal.

Duplication

Duplication of distribution is when both players in a partnership have the same length in each suit. Duplication of values is when strong holdings in one hand are facing strong values in the same suit in partner’s hand, such as AQ opposite KJ.

Eight-card fit

A combined holding of eight cards in a suit between the two hands of a partnership.

English Bridge Union

The governing body for the game of duplicate bridge in England.

Establishing a suit

To force out the high card held by the opponents and set up winners.

Fourth highest

The lead in a suit of the fourth card from the top. e.g. the lead of the 6 from K J 9 6 4.

Game

Contract whose trick score is 100 points or more

High card points

Values given to high cards as follows: ace=4, king=3, queen=2, jack=1. There are 40 high card points (HCP) in the pack.

Honours

The five highest cards in a suit (ace, king, queen, jack, ten).

Lead

The first card played to a trick.