auction (n.) the period of the game during which each of the players makes a bid. bag (n.) see overtrick (v.) To force the opposing team to take one or more overtricks. bag trouble (n.) If a team is close to accumulating 10 bags or overtricks, they are said to be in "bag trouble." bag back (v.) To accumulate 10 overtricks. bid (n.) A declaration to take a certain number of tricks. blind nil (n.) A nil bid made before looking at one's hand. bluff (n.) An aggressive bid that has no chance of succeeding, usually made in order to induce an opponent to make a poor play. (v.) to make such a bid. boss (n. or adj.) The highest available rank of a particular suit. For example, if the ♥A has been played on a previous round, the ♥K is considered "boss." break spades (v.) To play a spade for the first time in a particular round. break trump (v.) see break spades broken nil (n.) A failed nil bid, i.e., the nil bidder has taken at least one trick. contract (n.) see bid cover (v.) To help a nil bid succeed. coverer (n.) A player whose partner bid nil. crossruff (v.) When two partners alternate leading suits in which the other can trump. dealer (n.) The player who dealt the cards and/or the player who is the last to bid on a given round. doubleton (n. or adj.) A suit in which you have exactly two cards. duck (v.) see play under dump (v.) To play a card that avoids taking a trick. Usually implies the played card could have taken a future trick. For example, if the ♣A is played, playing the ♣K (instead of a lower club) or the ♦A is considered dumping. end game (n.) A round which could be the last of the game. finesse (n.) A play which results in taking a trick with a non-boss card, against the opponent's intentions. (v.) To make such a play. follow suit (v.) To play a card of the same suit as the led suit. game (n.) The entire period of play, ending when the score of at least one team reaches or exceeds the designated limit. hand (n.) 1. The set of cards each player holds. 2. see round hint (n.) A declaration by the 1st or 2nd player indicating the approximate number of tricks the player expects to take. honor (n. or adj.) A Jack, Queen, King, or Ace. lead (v.) to play the first card of a trick. (n.) 1. the first card of a trick. 2. the state of being the player who is to play the first card of a trick. LHO (n.) Left Hand Opponent long suit (n.) a suit in which you have many cards (five or more). nil (n. or adj.) 1. A bid to take no tricks. 2. A player who bid nil. non-trump (adj.) Hearts, Diamonds, or Clubs. overbid (v.) 1. To make a bid higher than one might under normal circumstances 2. To make a bid higher than warranted or necessary 3. or to have made a bid greater than the number of tricks one's team ended up taking. overtrick (n.) A trick taken in excess of the team bid. overtrump (n.) To play trump of a higher rank than one's opponent's trump. pass (v.) To give cards to your partner during a blind nil bid. play over (v.) To play a higher ranking card than the current high card. play under (v.) To play a card of a rank lower than the highest currently played card, or a card of a non-trump suit other than the led suit. promote (v.) To increase the power of all of the ranks under a played card. For example, if a player plays the ♠A, he has "promoted" the ♠K (to the highest spade), the ♠Q (to the 2nd highest spade), etc. RHO (n.) Right Hand Opponent round (n.) A term used to describe the game period between each deal. ruff (v.) To play trump on an opponent's non-trump lead. run out trump (v.) To lead spades in succession, usually to deplete opponents' trump. safe (adj.) A term used to describe a played card, either by a nil or coverer, which cannot result in the nil being broken. semi-bluff (n.) An aggressive or risky bid that has a small chance of succeeding, made in order to induce an opponent to make a poor play. (v.) To make such a bid. set (v.) To prevent an opposing team from successfully achieving at least one of their bids. (adj.) In the state of having failed to make one's bid. short suit (n.) A suit in which one owns two or fewer cards. singleton (n. or adj.) A suit in which one owns a single card. team bid (n.) A declaration to collectively with a partner take a certain number of tricks. throw off (v.) see dump trick (n.) Term used to describe the game period during which each player plays one card. The player who played the highest ranking card during this period is said to have "won the trick" or "taken the trick". trump (n.) A card of the highest ranking suit. (adj.) Highest-ranking, with regards to a suit. (v.) see ruff underbid (v.) To bid less than one would under normal circumstances, or to have bid less than one's team ended up taking. void (adj.) Having none of a particular suit.