OBJECTIVE OF TURNOVER BRIDGE: Be the first player to reach 100 points or more
NUMBER OF PLAYERS: 2 players
NUMBER OF CARDS: 52 cards
RANK OF CARDS: (low) 2 – Ace, Spades 2 – Ace (high)
TYPE OF GAME: Trick Taking
AUDIENCE: Adults
INTRODUCTION OF TURNOVER BRIDGE
Turnover Bridge is a two player trick taking game that is often played for money. Typically, players would bet a fixed amount per hand, and the first player to take a majority of the tricks wins the pot. For this writeup, the game will be played to 100 points. Players will earn 1 point per trick. Deal alternates each round, and the first player to reach 100 points wins the game. If both players reach 100 points in the same round, whoever has the highest score at the end of that round wins the game. For a similar game with some interesting differences, check out Blind Don.
THE CARDS & THE DEAL
Turnover Bridge uses a 52 card deck. In this game, Spades are always trump. Shuffle the deck and deal 12 cards face down to each player one at a time. These cards are laid out in a row. Deal 12 more face up on top of the previously dealt cards one at a time. Then deal 2 cards to each player. These two cards make up the player’s hand and are to be kept secret. All face up cards and the two card hands are eligible to play to the trick.
THE PLAY
The non-dealer leads the first trick playing any card from their hand or face-up row. The opposite player must follow the lead suit if they can. This includes the cards in their hand. If the player is unable to follow suit, they may play any card they want. The trick is captured by the highest ranking card in the lead suit or the highest Spade. The player that captured the trick leads the next trick.
At any time a face down card is exposed, that card is to be flipped over at the completion of the trick. It is now available for play. Play like this continues until one of the players has captured 14 tricks. Once a player captures the majority, the round ends.
SCORING
Each captured trick is worth 1 point.
WINNING
The first player to earn 100 points or more wins Turnover Bridge.
- TRIPLE SNAKES - February 15, 2021