Learning how to score at bridge makes it easier to understand the bridge bidding system. Once you know how to score you will understand why it is better to play in hearts/spades/NT than diamonds or clubs and why players will continue bidding to the 4, 5, 6 or even 7 level instead of stopping at the 3 or 4 level.
Let’s start with the absolute basics.
- No points are scored for the first 6 tricks. A contract for 1 of a suit (or 1NT) means you think you will make 7 tricks (6 + 1 bid). A contract for 4 of a suit means you think you will make 10 tricks (6 + 4 bid).
- High Card Points = points score for cards held. Four for each ace, three for each king, two or each queen and one for each jack.
- A “game” contract is one that would score 100 points if achieved. If you achieve (or exceed) the contract you score a 300 point bonus.
- A part score contract is one that would score less than 100 points if achieved. If you achieve the contract you score a 50 point bonus.
- If you bid a part score but actually make enough tricks for game you will ONLY get the part score bonus as that is what you bid for.
Points scored per trick (above 6) = 20 per club/diamond, 30 per heart/spade. In a No Trumps contract score 40 for the FIRST trick and 30 for subsequent tricks
No of tricks needed to make “game” = 11 in clubs/diamonds, 10 in hearts/spades and 9 in No trumps
Minimum contract needed to score game = 5 clubs or diamonds, 4 hearts or spades and 3 No trumps
The Double Eagle coin is a gold bullion coin that was minted by the United States Mint; the first of these gold coins was minted in 1849, producing two proofs at the time. Production kicked into gear in 1850 and continued until 1933.
The Coin Itself
This visually stunning coin has often been described as one of the most beautiful coins that the United States has ever minted. It has a face-value of $20 which is what earned it the moniker Double Eagle. At the time of early production, the highest denomination of coin in the United States was the Eagle – valued at $10.
The Double Eagle was produced using an alloy containing 90% gold and 10% copper. Like all gold coins its worth was determined by the cost of gold. However, the historical value of these alone combined with the year that they were minted can dramatically alter the true market value.
The gold Double Eagle went through several design changes, as well as a change in designer, that evolved from the head of Lady Liberty on the observe side to the much more widely recognized image of Lady Liberty striding forward boldly.
Augustus Saint-Gaudens can be credited for many of the designs seen on US collectible coins; his rendition of the Double Eagle much more closely resembles the design of the coin that was released in 2009 as a testimony to his vision and to the ability of the US Mint.
- The obverse side of the coin depicts Lady Liberty with a flowing robe; in her left hand she holds an olive branch and a flaming torch in her right hand.
- The reverse side of the coin depicts a young Eagle, the symbol of American freedom, flying at sunrise