In many articles and blog posts that have been written about the game through decades, it’s often said that bidding is “the language of bridge.”

Without the aspect of bidding a contract before the first trick, we wouldn’t be playing contract bridge. In the absence of knowing how to bid, we wouldn’t know what we’re playing tricks for.

Bidding is the game’s table language. Only 15 words are allowed during the bidding phase of the game (and no, none of them are expletives or dirty ones).

But what about your bidding’s accent?

Bidding & accents

I’ve noticed that conventions can be different depending on where a bridge player was taught, who they were taught by, and where they play most of their bridge.

For example, you don’t see a South African Texas Transfer all that often in the middle of Canada. European players are likely to pull out ACOL, while Stayman has become seemingly universal.

There are obscure conventions that you might have to look up. They’ve been invented by people you might not have heard of, and used in games that you might be inspired to check into.

There’s the San Francisco convention, and the Texas Transfer, and the South African Texas Transfer mentioned above. There’s Jacoby, and there are more.

Start with the Most Commonly Used Conventions from the ACBL if you are still developing your own touch on the language of bridge.

How to develop a bridge accent

Many players are scared of jumping into the deep end of bidding. It seems like one of the most intimidating aspects of the game to learn, but isn’t (and yes, you can do it).

Start with a basic bridge accent; that’s the most common ones. Develop your own from there, and make sure that you and your bridge partner speak the same language.

How?

You practice.

Accents & bridge partnerships

Accents can impact your partnership, too. What if your partner happens to be a Southerner, and you hail from another country entirely – with a whole different school of bridge? You adapt, and you learn to speak the language of bridge together.

For partnerships, trade conventions around often. Ask what they’ve learned, and check what you’ve learned in trade. This can help you to develop clearer speaking patterns during bidding.

I’ve said this before, but I think it’s worth saying again… Practice.

Accents online

Playing online means that you’re about to hit a melting pot of different accents. When instant partnerships are formed, you often have to know what your partner is bidding (without knowing their accent by heart).

What’s the trick?

Learn conventions when you can. They are all useful to your bridge game, even if it’s the ones you imagine you will never see. When these conventions pop up, you’ll recognize the accent right on the spot.

Okay, I’ll say it one more time: It’s all about practice.
Now go play some bridge!