Point Thresholds for Game Bidding
Use about 25 combined points for 3NT or four of a major, and about 29 for five of a minor as guidelines—not guarantees.
Game contracts earn a bonus of 300 points non-vulnerable or 500 vulnerable, on top of the trick score. Combined high-card points (HCP) are a useful starting point, but shape, fit and sources of tricks matter too.
The fundamental game thresholds
- 3NT (nine tricks): about 25 combined HCP.
- 4♥ or 4♠ (ten tricks): about 25 combined points, including appropriate distributional values once a fit is established.
- 5♣ or 5♦ (eleven tricks): about 29 combined points.
These are practical guidelines, not minimum requirements or guarantees. With a sound source of tricks, game may make on less; poorly fitting hands may fail with more. Usually prefer 3NT or a major-suit game to a minor-suit game when the hands suit that contract.
A worked example: Adding the total
Partner opens a weak 1NT, showing 12–14 HCP and a balanced hand. Your partnership plays Stayman.
Your hand (responder):
♠ A K 8 4
♥ Q 10 5
♦ J 8 2
♣ K 7 3
13 HCP, balanced, with four spades.
The auction:
- Partner: 1NT
- You: 2♣ (Stayman)
- Partner: 2♦ (no four-card major)
- You: 3NT
Partner has at least 12 HCP and you have 13: at least 25 combined. Your four spades make it worth checking for a major-suit fit before choosing 3NT. If partner shows four spades instead, choose 4♠.
Four common mistakes
- Bidding 3NT with only 22–23 combined HCP simply hoping partner has extras.
- Choosing five of a minor when 3NT is sound: the minor game needs two extra tricks for the same game bonus.
- Ignoring distribution after finding a major-suit fit.
- Treating points as a guarantee without assessing entries, fit and sources of tricks.
When the rule does not apply
Extreme shape, a long running suit or a large trump fit can produce game with substantially fewer high-card points. Conversely, wasted honours and poor entries can make a nominally sufficient total disappointing. Use judgement rather than a fixed cutoff.
Key takeaways
- About 25 combined points is a useful guide for 3NT or four of a major.
- About 29 is a useful guide for five of a minor.
- Usually prefer 3NT to five of a minor when stoppers and a credible source of nine tricks are available.
- Count shortage values only when an appropriate trump fit is established.