PlayBridge

PlayBridge is a bridge game for people who don't play bridge yet.

You sit South, with an AI partner across the table and two AI opponents. Every hand is a complete deal of contract bridge: the auction, the play, the scoring. What makes it a trainer rather than just a game is that nothing happens silently — leave hints on and the game tells you what it would bid or play, and why.

Hint: play ♠4 — fourth-best from your longest suit

Follow the hints while you're learning the shape of the game. Turn them off when you'd rather think for yourself. Turn them back on when an auction goes somewhere you didn't expect.

Two ways to play

Chicago is a four-deal session — play four hands, highest total wins, about twenty minutes. Vulnerability changes each deal, which raises both the bonuses and the penalties, and the game keeps your best session score.

Endless just deals hand after hand with a running total, for when you want to practise without a clock.

What the AI knows

It bids a simplified SAYC: five-card majors, 1NT openings, strong 2♣, overcalls and raises — plus Stayman and Blackwood, so it will hunt for a 4-4 major fit and count aces before committing to a slam. In the play it follows the standard beginner heuristics: fourth-best leads, second hand low, third hand high, cover an honour with an honour, draw trumps.

It is deliberately consistent and explainable rather than strong. Every decision it makes is one you can learn from and repeat.

What it doesn't do yet

Being straight about the edges, because bridge players will spot them:

• The AI never doubles — it won't punish you for overbidding.
• No Jacoby transfers yet.
• Card play is heuristic, not double-dummy. It will miss the clever line.

A stronger version is planned. If you'd like to know when it lands, following the page is the way to hear about it.

Controls

Click or tap a card to play it. On phones and tablets the first tap selects and the second confirms, so you don't misfire on a crowded hand. The ? button brings up the rules at any time — and there's a Speed control for when you're dummy and just want to see the result.

Plays in the browser on desktop, tablet and phone. Nothing to install, no account, no data leaves your device — your score is saved locally and that's it.

Free to play. If it taught you something and you'd like to leave a tip, there's a button for it — but the game is complete either way.

Bug reports and "the AI did something daft on this hand" notes are very welcome in the comments.