Bridge and the trading card game universe are two interests which run very closely together.

If you share an interest in one, than it is likely that you’ll take to the other just like a fish thrown back into its natural environment: happy and at home.

Playing Yu-Gi-Oh! is part of the reason why I naturally enjoy bridge. I’ve played enough of both games that I’ve begun to see similarities between the two worlds.

Are you a bridge player who has yet to discover what trading card games are all about?

Are you a traditional trading card game player who wants to know more about bridge (and happened to land on this page)?

I would recommend an exploration into the looking glass for both!

See what the other game is about, and you might come to enjoy them both.

Here are 3 TCG playing tips (that’ll work for bridge players too).

1. Decide on Strength Versus Strategy

Trading card games involve the idea of deck construction, where certain attributes (e.g. spells and monsters) are chosen as a theme.

Let’s compare it to bridge players who assess the length-versus-strength of their 13-card hand.

If you transition to a trading card game, look at your deck the same way: decide whether strength or strategy is what you’ll chase with these particular cards.

2. Face Up (Or Down)

Bridge gets part of its competitive edge from the dynamic given by the presence of a Declarer and Dummy, with their cards face-up.

Trading card games like Yu-Gi-Oh! allow cards to be played face up, or face down. When face down, cards (such as traps) can be activated for their effect.

Can you guess what cards your opponent has chosen to put face down?

Much like bridge, it’s a combination of guesswork, experience, and strategy.

3. Play, Don’t Delay

Bridge has rules, and one of these official rules is that it is illegal for any player to deliberately delay their next card as a strategy against opponents.

It’s okay to think, but it’s not okay to pause.

It’s actually against the rules.

Casual games – and most of them, in fact – carry the same rules. Play, don’t delay.

If you require speed practice, playing against bots is always a good way to get there, whether you’re playing a TCG on Dueling Nexus (or bridge right here on BBO).

Do you have any useful strategy tips for players who walk the line across several different games at once?