This is the first of a short series of articles aimed at English bridge players who would like to play bridge with their French friends and neighbours or even visit a local French bridge club. I will assume that readers already know the basic rules of the game and play a convention based on Acol with a weak no-trump and four card major openings.

So let’s start with the basic French bridge vocabulary.

First you need a pack of cards (UN JEU DE CARTES). The cards are divided into four suits (COULEURS) which are, in ascending order of value in the bidding, clubs (TREFLES), diamonds (CARREAUX), hearts (COEURS) and spades (PIQUES). A bid of no trumps (SANS ATOUT) has the highest value. Each suit has 13 cards ranging from the Ace (AS) through the King (ROI), Queen (DAME), Jack (VALET) down to the two. French playing cards look exactly the same as British ones except the Queen carries the letter D for DAME and the Jack the letter V for VALET. You must first shuffle (BATTRE) the cards and then deal (DONNER). The dealer (LE DONNEUR) is the first player to bid (ANNONCER).

He either passes (PASSER) or makes a bid, for example one club (UN TREFLE) or one no trump (UN SANS ATOUT). Remember that while you will be playing a weak no trump (UN SANS ATOUT FAIBLE) showing 12 to 14 points your French friends will probably be playing a strong no trump (UN SANS ATOUT FORT) showing 15 to 17 points (QUINZE A DIX SEPT POINTS) or 16 to 18 points. Also if they bid one in a major (MAJEUR) this will show at least five cards in the suit while if you bid one in a major you will have a minimum of four cards in the suit. So unless you decide to use the basic French conventions you will have to explain your bidding system. Remember your French friends will probably have never heard the word ACOL.

Finally a few more basic French bridge words. A game is UNE MANCHE, a rubber is UN ROBRE, a slam is UN CHELEM, to trump is COUPER and discard is DEFAUSSER. To revoke is RENONCER.

If you like bridge problems and want to broaden your bridge vocabulary you will find that Le Figaro newspaper carries a very good daily bridge column. OR get in touch with us and we will relay your interest to Stewart Platts