Bridge in 10 lessons

New to bridge?
Start here.

This short video series, created by the American Contract Bridge League (ACBL) and shared here with permission, takes you from your very first hand to a clear understanding of how the game works in ten simple steps. You’ll learn the essentials: how the cards are dealt, how tricks are won, how bidding works and how to score.

No experience needed. Just press play, follow along and build your confidence one lesson at a time.

By the end, you’ll be ready to sit down and play.

Group of five friends playing cards at a table with a green tablecloth in a sunlit room with large windows.

Lesson 1

Bridge Starter Pack

Discover the fundamentals: the deck, the players and the basic flow of the game.

Lesson 2

Get Ready to Play Bridge

Take your seat at the table, deal and sort the cards, and stay organised.

Lesson 3

Understanding Tricks

Learn how tricks work and why they are central to every hand.

Lesson 4

What Are Trumps?

Discover trump suits, ruffing, and what happens when there are no trumps left.

Lesson 5

Declarer, Dummy and Defence

Understand the different roles at the table and how play begins after the auction.

Lesson 6

Bidding in Bridge

Learn what the auction is for, how bids work, and how suits are ranked.

Lesson 7

Counting Points

Find out how to evaluate your hand, count high-card points and choose your best suit.

Lesson 8

Game, Slam and Double

Explore game contracts, slams, doubles and redoubles as you start to bid higher.

Lesson 9

Opening and Responding

Learn when to open, when to pass, how to respond, and how a full auction develops.

Lesson 10

Scoring Basics

Get to grips with tricks, trump suits, games, slams and undertricks.

A close-up of an elderly woman's hands playing solitaire with red and white playing cards on a green table, with a blue card case and a score board nearby.

Resources for Learners

Alongside lessons, a range of tools and resources are available to support your progress.

These are designed to complement what you learn in class, helping you build confidence through practice and repetition.

practise tools

Tools to support
your learning.

Learn the basics

with BridgeTrainer

Work through structured lessons (1–20), practising bidding and responses. Each hand includes a clear explanation to help you understand not just what to do, but why.

Practise play

with Shark Bridge

Apply your learning by bidding and playing hands against robots. A flexible way to build confidence and develop technique.

Build Confidence

with Handle

An interactive app designed to improve card play. Hands increase in difficulty over time, with feedback to refine your decision-making.