How does Bridge scoring work?

Points are split between 'below the line' (trick points toward game) and 'above the line' (bonuses). You win a game by scoring 100+ trick points below the line. Win 2 games to win the rubber.

What's the difference between vulnerable and not vulnerable?

After winning one game, a partnership becomes 'vulnerable.' Vulnerable teams earn bigger bonuses for making contracts but face bigger penalties when set.

How much is a slam worth in Bridge?

A small slam (12 tricks) earns a 500-point bonus (not vulnerable) or 750 (vulnerable). A grand slam (all 13 tricks) earns 1,000 (not vulnerable) or 1,500 (vulnerable).

What are trick values in Bridge?

Clubs/Diamonds (minor suits): 20 per trick. Hearts/Spades (major suits): 30 per trick. No Trump: 40 for the first trick, 30 for each subsequent trick.

Bridge Score Sheet — Printable & Scoring Guide

Rubber Bridge and Duplicate Bridge scoring explained, with a printable score sheet layout.

March 18, 2026 3 min read

The complete Bridge score sheet guide — trick values, bonuses, penalties, and a ready-to-use scoring layout.

Bridge scoring is its own mini-game. Understanding the score sheet is essential for smart bidding — knowing how many points you’re playing for changes every decision at the table.

The Score Sheet Layout

        WE          |       THEY
                    |
  (Above the line)  |  (Above the line)
  Overtricks        |  Overtricks
  Slam bonuses      |  Slam bonuses
  Penalties         |  Penalties
                    |
====================|===================
                    |
  (Below the line)  |  (Below the line)
  Trick points      |  Trick points
  toward game       |  toward game

Below the line: Only trick points for contracts you BID and MADE go here. Accumulate 100+ to win a game.

Above the line: Everything else — overtricks, slam bonuses, honors, and defensive penalties.

Trick Values (Below the Line)

Trump Suit	Points Per Trick
♣ Clubs (minor)	20 per trick
♦ Diamonds (minor)	20 per trick
♥ Hearts (major)	30 per trick
♠ Spades (major)	30 per trick
No Trump	40 first trick, 30 each after

Only tricks ABOVE 6 (your “book”) count. A contract of 3♥ means you bid to take 9 tricks (6+3), and the last 3 score 30 each = 90 below the line.

How Many Tricks for Game?

Contract	Trick Points	Game in One Hand?
3NT	40+30+30 = 100	✅ Yes
4♥ or 4♠	4 × 30 = 120	✅ Yes
5♣ or 5♦	5 × 20 = 100	✅ Yes
2♠	2 × 30 = 60	❌ Need more
1NT	40	❌ Need more

This is why 3NT, 4♥, 4♠, 5♣, and 5♦ are the “game contracts.”

Overtricks (Above the Line)

Tricks won beyond your contract score ABOVE the line:

Situation	Overtrick Value
Not doubled, not vulnerable	Trick value (20 or 30)
Not doubled, vulnerable	Trick value (20 or 30)
Doubled, not vulnerable	100 each
Doubled, vulnerable	200 each
Redoubled, not vulnerable	200 each
Redoubled, vulnerable	400 each

Slam Bonuses (Above the Line)

Slam Type	Not Vulnerable	Vulnerable
Small Slam (12 tricks, bid 6)	500	750
Grand Slam (13 tricks, bid 7)	1,000	1,500

You must BID the slam to receive the bonus. Taking 12 tricks on a 4♠ contract doesn’t earn a slam bonus.

Penalties for Being Set

When the defending team sets the contract (declarer doesn’t make their bid):

Not Doubled

Under-Tricks	Not Vulnerable	Vulnerable
1 down	50	100
2 down	100	200
3 down	150	300
Each additional	+50	+100

Doubled

Under-Tricks	Not Vulnerable	Vulnerable
1 down	100	200
2 down	300	500
3 down	500	800
Each additional	+300	+300

Game and Rubber Bonuses

Achievement	Bonus
Winning the rubber 2-0	700
Winning the rubber 2-1	500
Winning an unfinished rubber (1 game to 0)	300
Having a part-score in unfinished rubber	50

Vulnerability

Games Won	Status
0	Not vulnerable
1	Vulnerable (higher bonuses AND penalties)

Once a partnership wins a game, they become vulnerable for the rest of the rubber. Both teams can be vulnerable simultaneously.

Honors (Above the Line)

Holding specific honors in one hand (before play begins):

Honors	Points
4 of the 5 trump honors (A, K, Q, J, 10)	100
All 5 trump honors	150
All 4 aces (in No Trump)	150

Complete Scoring Example

Rubber Bridge — Hand by Hand:

Hand	Contract	Result	Below (WE)	Below (THEY)	Above (WE)	Above (THEY)
1	2♠ by WE	Made 3	60	—	30 (overtrick)	—
2	3NT by THEY	Made 3	—	100	—	—
3	4♥ by WE	Made 4	120	—	—	—

After Hand 1: WE have 60 below (need 40 more for game). After Hand 2: THEY score 100 below = THEY win Game 1. THEY become vulnerable. Line drawn. After Hand 3: WE score 120 below = WE win Game 2. (Previous 60 was in Game 1, was erased by the new game line.)

The rubber continues until one team wins 2 games.

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