28 Card Game Bidding Guide
Bidding in 28 has two quirks that 29 players often miss: the forced opening of 14, and the need for Honours (20) to bid over your partner. Master those and you'll bid like a local.
The forced 14
The player next to the dealer must open, so 14 from that seat often means nothing. Don't read strength into it. A bid from anyone else is real information.
Judging your four cards
- One Jack with two more of its suit: 15–17.
- J and 9 of one suit: 17–18.
- Two Jacks, one with length: 18–20.
Honours over your partner
You may only bid over your partner with 20 or more. Do it when your hand is clearly better than theirs, because Honours wins +2 but loses −3.
The second round
After all eight cards are dealt, anyone may raise to 24+ with a new trump. If your full hand is huge (three Jacks, long trumps), a raise to 24 or 25 can earn +3. If you're the bidder at a low number, remember the opponents may take it away.
When to pass
Pass when your hand has no Jack and no long suit, when both opponents are raising each other, or when your partner already holds the bid at a level your hand supports.
A worked auction
North must open: 14. East holds J♦ 9♦ 8♦ K♠ and bids 17. South, North's partner, holds J♣ J♥ 10♣ A♣ and bids 18 over East. West, East's partner, bids 19 over South. South, with two Jacks and good clubs, goes to 20 (Honours). Everyone passes.
Every bid here was over an opponent, so any higher number was allowed. The Honours rule (20+) only applies when you want to bid over your own partner.
Second-round thinking
With all eight cards in hand, count again. If your team clearly holds 24+ points and the current bid belongs to the opponents, raising can steal the hand and earn +3.
Bidding mistakes to avoid in 28
- Reading the forced 14 as strength.
- Bidding Honours over your partner with a hand only slightly better than theirs.
- Forgetting the second round: a low winning bid can be taken away.
- Bidding on Aces without Jacks or length.
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