<P> According to the Oxford English Dictionary , the word bridge is the English pronunciation of the game called `` biritch '' . It followed on from whist , which initially was the dominant trick - playing game and enjoyed a loyal following for centuries . The oldest known reference to the rules of the game dates from 1886 and calls it `` Biritch , or Russian Whist '' . The game featured several significant developments from whist : dealer chose the trump suit , or nominated his partner to do so ; there was a call of no trumps ( biritch ) ; and the dealer 's partner 's hand became dummy . There were other similarities to bridge : points were scored above and below the line ; the score could be doubled and redoubled ; scoring a game in one deal required 3 odd tricks in no trumps , 4 in hearts , or 5 in diamonds ( although it could not be done at all , undoubled , in clubs or spades ) ; and there were slam bonuses . </P>
<P> According to the Oxford English Dictionary , the word bridge is the English pronunciation of the game called `` biritch '' . It followed on from whist , which initially was the dominant trick - playing game and enjoyed a loyal following for centuries . The oldest known reference to the rules of the game dates from 1886 and calls it `` Biritch , or Russian Whist '' . The game featured several significant developments from whist : dealer chose the trump suit , or nominated his partner to do so ; there was a call of no trumps ( biritch ) ; and the dealer 's partner 's hand became dummy . There were other similarities to bridge : points were scored above and below the line ; the score could be doubled and redoubled ; scoring a game in one deal required 3 odd tricks in no trumps , 4 in hearts , or 5 in diamonds ( although it could not be done at all , undoubled , in clubs or spades ) ; and there were slam bonuses . </P>
why is the game of bridge called bridge
why is the game of bridge called bridge
English pronunciation of the game called `` biritch ''
English pronunciation of the game called `` biritch ''