The first phase of the game right after bidding has ended is one of the most intimidating places a player could be standing. Everyone still has 13 cards in their hand, and the starting trick hasn’t been played yet. The pressure is officially on, and the clock is ticking.

Now what?

Ask the game that’s about to occur some important questions.

For every player, these questions are different (although often most of the ways to ask have the same things to figure out).

Here are 5 questions to ask about your game before your first trick.

1. What’s the bid?

Yes, I’ll admit it: More than once, I played a trick before taking a proper look at the bidding. I was tired at the time, if that’s any practical excuse!

From then on, I’ve always asked about the bid first.

It’s just a second’s worth of a glance on the screen, but it can save you many bad starting tricks. Don’t think you’ve looked, double-check the bidding.

2. What’s my suit strength?

A suit’s strength in high-card-points or available suits is essential for hand evaluation. Do it at the start of the game when you have 13 cards, and do it later when you have less.

Strength dictates (1) what you can do with your hand, (2) what your partner can do with theirs, (3) what your opponents will do with theirs.

How does what you have compare to the contracted suit? It’s going to affect how you play it.

3. What’s my suit length?

Length matters. When assessing your hand before you’ve played your first trick, take a moment to look at the general hand distribution – and overall length.

Since you’re playing bridge, you already know that you start with 13 cards (and your partnership has 26).

Evaluating your suit’s length tells you (1) what you can work with, (2) what you can work with less.

Good suit length is great, but not necessarily essential for winning. If you have shorter suits, hope that your partner can fill in the gaps (or your opponents mess up!).

4. What was just played?

In the event that you are not the player to place the first card (but still have to play your first one), ask this.

The first card a partner (or opponent) plays before you reveals a lot about how they are going to approach the rest of the game.

It might even tell you a little bit about which cards (and suits) you can expect more of during the rest of the play.

Are they starting with an aggressive play? A weaker card? An unexpected number? An Ace, Jack, or 10? It all tells you something.

5. What’s up with the dummy’s hand?

Now, when asked outside of a friendly bridge game, this question might sound extremely offensive and I would advise you not to ask it.

But at the game, this literally refers to the dummy’s hand – the one that’s face-up, and played by the game’s Declarer.

Ask about it before playing a card, and always.

This way, you can already see how some of the game might play forward.

Are you the dummy for this game?

Have some trust in your partner, and good luck!