Wiktionary
n. A card game in which four players, forming two partnerships, first bid then play by taking tricks
WordNet
n. a variety of bridge in which the bidder receives points toward game only for the number of tricks he bid [syn: contract]
Wikipedia
Contract bridge, or simply bridge, is a trick-taking game using a standard 52-card deck. It is played by four players in two competing partnerships, with partners sitting opposite each other around a table. Millions of people play bridge worldwide in clubs, tournaments, online and with friends at home, making it one of the world's most popular card games, particularly among seniors. The World Bridge Federation is the governing body for international competitive bridge, with numerous other bodies governing bridge at the regional level.
The game consists of several each progressing through four phases. The cards are dealt to the players, and then the players auction or bid to take the specifying how many tricks their partnership receiving the contract needs to take to receive points for the deal. It is during the auction where partners communicate information about their hand, including its overall strength and the length of its suits, although similar conventions for use during play exist. The cards are then played, the trying to fulfill the contract, and the trying to stop the declaring side from its goal. The deal is scored based on the number of tricks taken, the contract, and various other factors based on the variation played.
Rubber bridge is the most popular variation for casual play, but most club and tournament play involves some variant of duplicate bridge, where the cards are not re-dealt on each occasion, the same deal being played by two or more different sets of players to enable comparative scoring.
Usage examples of "contract bridge".
For example, while playing contract bridge, he now occasionally asks for a review of the bidding which is contrary to his former behavior pattern.
Arthur was sixty, a widower, and a CPA, and an absolutely reliable partner in contract bridge - so dependable that I gave up the Italian method and went back to Goren because he played Goren.
Sebastian had once attempted to write a technique manual on contract bridge, but had lacked the necessary drive to finish it.