The Art of Sacrifice Bidding: When Going Down Is the Right Play
In bridge, bidding to make a contract is the standard goal—but sometimes, bidding to go down is the smartest move on the board.
This concept is known as a sacrifice, and when executed correctly, it can turn what would be a significant loss into a strategic victory. Sacrifice bidding isn’t just a high-level curiosity—it’s a core part of modern bridge tactics, especially in competitive games and tournament formats.
In this post, we’ll explore when sacrifices make sense, how to evaluate whether a sacrifice is “cheap” or “too expensive,” and how vulnerability, scoring format, and judgment all play a role in making the right decision—even when it means going down on purpose.
What Is a Sacrifice?
A sacrifice bid is when your side voluntarily bids a contract you don’t expect to make—knowing it will go down—but hoping that the penalty you take will be less costly than the points your opponents would have scored had they played and made their contract.
In other words, you’re sacrificing your score to minimize the damage.
For example:
- Your opponents can likely make 4♥, worth 620 in Matchpoints.
- You bid 4♠, expecting to go down one trick. If undoubled, that’s only 50 or 100 depending on vulnerability—a bargain compared to 620. Even doubled, down one vulnerable is -200—still a good save.
Sacrifices work when:
- The opponents have a game or slam available.
- You can push them out of that contract or pay less by going down.
- Your own contract is likely to fail by a predictable number of tricks.
Key Factors in a Good Sacrifice
Sacrifice bidding isn’t just about guessing—it requires a strong grasp of vulnerability, scoring, and the likely outcome at both tables.
1. Vulnerability
Vulnerability is crucial because it directly affects both the value of the opponents' contract and the penalty you’ll incur.
| Down Tricks | Not Vulnerable (Doubled) | Vulnerable (Doubled) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | -100 | -200 |
| 2 | -300 | -500 |
| 3 | -500 | -800 |
| 4 | -800 | -1100 |
As you can see, sacrificing while not vulnerable is far less painful—and can often be the right call.
2. Opponent Contract Value
A good sacrifice always hinges on what your opponents are about to make. The higher their likely score, the more attractive your sacrifice becomes.
| Opponent Contract | If Made | You’d Consider Sacrificing… |
|---|---|---|
| 3NT | 400–600 | Only if down 1 undoubled |
| 4♥ / 4♠ (game) | 420–620 | Down 2 or less |
| 6♠ / 6♥ (slam) | 980–1430 | Down 4 or less (not vuln.) |
| 7NT (grand slam) | 1440–2220 | Down 5 or less (not vuln.) |
Sacrifices against slams or vulnerable games can be profitable even when down 3 or 4 tricks—if you’re not vulnerable and manage the damage well.
3. Scoring Format
Sacrifices are more common and more valuable in IMPs and Teams than in Matchpoints. Here’s why:
- In IMPs, saving 500–800 points against a slam is a massive swing. A sacrifice can turn a 13-IMP loss into a 3-IMP loss—or even a gain.
- In Matchpoints, you must be more careful. Even a small overtrick for your opponents might cost you the board, so down one doubled (–200) against a game (620) might still only earn you an average result.
Evaluating a Sacrifice in Real Time
Let’s say your opponents have bid to 4♥, and your partner makes a preemptive bid of 4♠. You hold:
- ♠ K Q J 10 7
- ♥ 7 4
- ♦ 9 6 3
- ♣ 10 8 4 2
What do you do?
You suspect they can make 4♥—especially vulnerable. If your side goes down two in 4♠ (–500 not vulnerable), that's a reasonable save against –620. But if you’re vulnerable, that jumps to –800, making it a losing sacrifice.
Key questions to ask:
- Are we sure they’re making game?
- What is the vulnerability?
- How many tricks can we take in our suit?
- Are the opponents likely to double?
With experience, these evaluations get faster. You’ll start to “feel” when a sacrifice is profitable and when it’s reckless.
The Psychology of the Sacrifice
Sacrifice bids can also have psychological value:
- Pressure: They can push opponents to higher contracts than they’re comfortable with.
- Confusion: They can force rushed decisions or misjudged doubles.
- Control: They let your side take back momentum and regain control of the auction.
But beware—poorly judged sacrifices can demoralize a partnership and cost valuable points.
When to Avoid Sacrificing
Sacrifices can backfire badly when:
- You’re vulnerable and likely to go down multiple tricks.
- The opponents aren’t actually making their game.
- You give away a slam swing by “saving” against a contract they wouldn’t have bid.
- You’re already behind and need a top score, not a neutralizing play.
Always weigh the cost vs. reward—don’t sacrifice out of habit.
Advanced Tip: The Phantom Save
Sometimes, players make a “phantom sacrifice”—bidding 5♠ over 5♥, thinking opponents would have made it… but they wouldn’t have.
This results in a double loss: you give up points and deny yourself a shot at setting their contract.
How to avoid it:
- Listen carefully to the auction. Did they stop short due to weakness?
- Use partner’s preempt or double as information.
- Don’t assume—verify.
Practice Makes (Smarter) Sacrifices
Like many bridge tactics, sacrifice bidding is best learned through experience and review. After each tournament, ask:
- Did we sacrifice on any boards?
- Was it the right decision?
- What was the vulnerability?
- How many tricks did we actually take?
Platforms like Bridge Champ make this easy with hand records and board-by-board comparisons—so you can see whether your save was wise or just wishful thinking.
Conclusion: A Tactical Tool, Not a Desperate Move
Sacrifice bidding isn’t reckless—it’s calculated. It’s about knowing the numbers, understanding your risks, and having the courage to make a decision that looks like a loss, but actually protects your score.
The best players don’t sacrifice often. But when they do, it’s because they’ve judged the situation correctly, read the auction with precision, and trusted their instincts.
Want to test your sacrifice skills? Join a game on Bridge Champ. With regular tournaments and real-time scoring, it’s the perfect environment to practice sharp, tactical bidding—and maybe make the sacrifice that wins you the match.
