Bridge vs Poker: an in-depth look at both card games

Bridge and Poker are two of the oldest card games around (long before there was such a thing as an online casino). With both containing a legion of fans around the world, there are many elements of both games where there are consistencies and there are other areas where there are big differences.

Bridge: A quick guide 

Whether it’s right or not, Bridge has developed a reputation for being a game better suited to the older generations, so for some of you reading this today, you might not know a great deal about the game.

The first versions of Bridge date all the way back to the 16th century and over time it has become a game that has become hugely popular across the globe. 

Bridge is a game that revolves around 1 deck of cards and requires four players to play. The four players will be divided into two teams with the idea to score as many ‘tricks’ as possible. Each player will start a round of Bridge holding thirteen cards so every card in the deck will be used. 

A trick is decided by who places the highest ranking card of the first suit that is played in every round, however there is a trump suit that can have a bearing on who wins the trick as if a player doesn’t have the same suit as the player who leads off, a trump card can be enough to steal a trick away. In the case of two or more trump cards being played, the player who plays the highest ranked card will win the hand for their team. 

At the start of each round, each team will predict how many tricks they believe they will win, they will then work with their teammate to try and achieve their total or deny the other team from hitting theirs. Communication between teammates is encouraged 

Often the game will end once one team has reached 100 points.

Poker: a quick guide 

Whereas bridge has developed a reputation for being a game for ‘fuddy-duddies’, poker has gone through a sensational rebrand and has become a game that appeals to the younger masses. 

Although poker has many different variations such as live casino three card poker, without doubt the jewel in the poker crown is No-Limit Texas Hold’em.

No Limit Poker – the most popular game in the world

No Limit Hold’em has been around for decades but really burst into prominence during the poker boom of the early 00’s.

Poker has always been an individual sport and although communication will take place between the players, what a player is planning to do strategy wise is very much kept a secret. 

A hand of Texas Hold’em can end at four different stages. The first stage is when the hands are initially dealt. If someone bets big, players can fold their hands and a hand can be won before cards are dealt into the middle.

If bets are met, three cards will be dealt into the middle of the table. These cards are communal and every player still in the hand, can use these cards to make the very best hand possible. 

Bets will be made at this stage or players can choose to check. If every player left in the hand checks, another card will be dealt without a chip being bet.

If the hand continues, the next card is called the ‘Turn’ card. This is the fourth card on the board and once again players will use this card to try and make as strong a hand as possible. 

Betting on the turn card will take place and if bets are met or the round is checked down, the final card will be dealt into the middle. This card is called the river card. 

The fifth and final card, this is the final stage of the hand. If bets are matched after the revealing of the river card, each player left in the hand will then reveal their cards. The player with the highest ranking hand will win all of the chips that have been bet throughout the duration of the hand. 

Poker and Bridge – what are some of the similarities 

Despite Bridge being a game that is mostly played by the older generations and poker being the new kid on the block, there are massive similarities between the two games. 

Games that contains many layers – they require plenty of concentration

Whereas games like Blackjack are one handed games, that contain just one round of betting or play before it rests, Poker and Bridge are different. 

As we have explained, there are multiple rounds to each game. Before a round of Bridge is settled, thirteen hands will make up each round and the process will repeat numerous times until one side reaches 100 points. 

The same can be said of poker. Poker has four different opportunities where players can place bets – the pre-flop, flop, turn and river. 

During a poker hand a player will need to continue with a strategy that lasts through each round of betting. If a player wants to bluff and can’t shake any of the other players off they will need to continue with that strategy as the hand progresses. 

Due to the many levels that both games hold, each game requires a bucket load of concentration. Failure to concentrate or the lack of a commitment to a strategy could end up backfiring massively. 

Deception can play a massive part 

Although one of life’s key mottos is honesty, in both poker and bridge, deception plays a massive part in both games. 

As we have briefly mentioned above, bluffing in poker has always been a prevalent tactic and huge hands can be won via deception and the commitment to throwing people off the scent. The same is absolutely true of Bridge.

With pairs in Bridge trying to predict what they can win, a huge part of trying to win the game is stopping the other pair from hitting the number they are aiming for. 

In order to do this, strategies can be played that can shift the balance of a hand instantly. 

The ability to read players is key 

Perhaps the biggest similarity between the two games is that in order to be successful, the ability to read opposition players is absolutely vital. 

There is a reason why poker has risen to become arguably the most popular card game in the world, as the cards only tell one side of the story.

When you play poker some players will be aggressive, others will have a clear strategy and others will be content to sit back and let the action happen. At times tables can be nine deep and there are a lot of different playing styles that could be at the table in any one hand.

Although to be successful at poker you need a fair share of good hands and plenty of luck, that can only get you so far. The best players in the world are expert people readers and without this ability poker can be an incredibly difficult game to play. 

Whilst you may not think people reading skills in Bridge is a key part of the game, it is an absolute foundational piece.

As the game is played in pairs there could be one player who is more aggressive and one player who could be more conservative. When working with your partner you both need to be aware of how to best tackle these different styles.

You will need to know when one player may be aggressive and when the time to strike could be. As the game shifts and the dynamics change, the ability to read people can really help determine the outcome of who will win and who will lose. 

So, is one game better than the other?

It’s fair to say that both poker and bridge are two of the most complex games that you can play. One single hand or round will require detailed thought and may require the urgent shifting of strategies and overall approach. 

Although the popularity of bridge may be on the wane, it is still a game that people all over the world love to play. Most card games are played in isolation but the novelty of bridge is that it is obviously played in pairs – and that is massively appealing to many people. 

For those that love cards, bridge requires analytical skills, people reading skills and the ability to work with others. For many, these three features are what make bridge the ultimate game to play. 

Those who love poker will believe that it is the king of the card games. As poker is an individual game, many feel that the lack of a reliance on another person is what makes poker so much better than any other game.