Bridge isn’t just about bidding, playing tricks, and counting points; it’s also about socializing, rotating partners, and keeping everyone engaged. Enter the humble bridge tally—a tool that has been quietly orchestrating bridge games at parties and social gatherings for decades. Let’s look at the story of the bridge tally, a small but essential player in the game’s social side.
Imagine you’re at a lively bridge party, surrounded by friends, snacks, and maybe even a little wine. How do you keep track of who’s playing with whom, and where they’re headed next? A bridge tally is the answer. It’s a simple yet clever tool used in social or party bridge games to organize players’ movements, scores, and partnerships.
<p><p><p><p><p><p><p>A pairs bridge tally designed for games where players participate as fixed pairs or couples will allow each team to stay together while rotating through different tables and opponents. Here’s how a pairs tally works:</p>
i><strong>Assigned Pair Number: Each pair (or couple) is assigned a specific number (e.g., Pa
ir #1, Pair #2, etc.) that corresponds to their movements throughout the gam
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</li></li>
<p><p>i><strong>Opponents and Directions: The tally specifies which pair will be the opponents for each round, along with which direction (North-South or East-West) each pair will pla
a balanced competition as pairs face off against all other pairs in a structured rotation.
ores after each round. The scores are usually written directly on the tally or on accompanying score sheets, making it easy to track each pair’s performance over the cour
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<p><p>i><strong>Clear and Organized Layout: The tally card is laid out with clear instructions, often using large type to ensure players can easily follow their next step
<p><p><p><p>One of the more popular ‘party’ bridge games is an Individual where partnerships switch up during the evening and Individual Movement Tallies are a great help for this kind of game. Here’s how an individual bridge tally works:
<p>i><strong>Easy-to-Read Format: The tally’s layout is designed to be straightforward, often with large type for easy reading, especially during busy social
game
<p>ents, and the table to which they should move.
<p><p><p>Individual bridge tallies help keep the game flowing smoothly by clearly directing each player’s movements and partnerships, ensuring everyone enjoys a varied and engaging bridge experience.
<p><p><p>Bridge tallies are designed to cater to a varying number of tables, depending on the type of game and the specific tally set being used. Typically, tallies are available for:
Small Games (2-3 Tables):
accommodate 8 to 12 players, making them ideal for smaller gatherings. They are often used for intimate bridge parties or games at home.
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<p>i><strong>Medium Games (4-5 Tables): Tallies for this setup cater to 16 to 20 players, providing a balanced number of rounds and a good mix of partnership
pular for larger social events. &l
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<p>i><strong>Large Games (6-8 Tables): Designed for 24 to 32 players, these tallies manage more complex rotations and movements, making them suitable for bridge clubs or bigger social events where multiple tables are in pla
<p><p><p>Each tally set is specific to the number of players and tables it’s intended for, ensuring a smooth flow of play with clear instructions on movements and partnerships for each round.
Tallies are most popular in casual, non-tournament settings, like bridge parties. These gatherings are all about fun, food, and friendly competition. Tallies keep things organized without anyone having to pull out a clipboard and start barking orders.
In the world of bridge tallies, one name stood out: Tally Ho. Known for producing high-quality bridge tallies designed for both individual and couples’ play, Tally Ho offered tallies for up to 8 tables (32 players) for individuals and up to 6 tables (24 players) for couples. Each tally was specific to a player or couple, clearly showing who they would play with and where to sit, all in large type for easy reading.
Tally Ho’s tallies were laminated, spill-resistant, and came with refillable tally sheets and score pads. Sadly, Tally Ho is no longer in business, but their legacy lives on among the bridge players who loved their products.
<p><p><p>Bridge tallies originated in the early 20th century as a practical tool for managing movement and scoring during progressive bridge games. The aim was simple: keep everyone moving in a fair and social way, often mixing up partnerships so no one got stuck with the same partner all night (unless they wanted to, of course).
Tallies came in all shapes and sizes—booklets, cards, or sheets—often decorated with thematic or festive designs. They weren’t just functional; they added a touch of flair to the bridge party, reflecting the decorative and entertaining spirit of these gatherings.
<p><p><p>Progressive bridge, also known as “party bridge,” involves players moving from table to table in a set pattern after each round. Tallies were a must-have for this format, ensuring that everyone played with different partners and opponents. The 1920s and 1930s were the heyday of progressive bridge, and tallies were right at the center of the action.</p>
Over time, tallies evolved with clearer instructions, larger fonts, and more durable materials like lamination. Compa
<p>nies like Tally Ho specialized in tallies for individual and couples’ play, making sure each player knew exactly where to go and with whom to play.
<p><p><p>Tallies weren’t just about keeping the game moving; they were a staple of social bridge, especially among middle and upper-class households in the early to mid-20th century. Bridge parties were a major social event, and the tally cards added a touch of order and elegance to the fun. My own parents played a lot of ‘home bridge’ given they had four children whom they could put to bed before the guests arrived. This was common in many families during the ‘baby boom’ of the post-war decades.
As bridge clubs and formal tournaments grew, the need for tallies decreased, but they never entirely disappeared. Even today, bridge tallies are still used in casual settings, and custom or handmade versions can be found online at websites like Etsy</a&amp;gt;. They remain a beloved piece of bridge history, a reminder of how the game brought people together in a less formal, more community-focused way.
Most common with even numbers of tables
Used when pairs sit stationary as North-South and move as East-West.
Tally cards are mainly used by East-West pairs to show their table and board number each round.
Mitchell is simpler to run and very common in club games.
Used with fewer tables, often 5 to 7.
All pairs move (except sometimes one stationary pair).
Each pair has a tally card, detailing where to go, who to play, and which boards to play.
Howell is more complex than Mitchell, but very common for small games.
A variation of Howell used when the number of tables is odd.
Not as common as standard Howell.
Designed to improve balance and fairness in awkward odd-table settings.
You might see it used in smaller clubs or home games that want full pair interaction.
For a home bridge game, the most common setup depends on the number of players:
No movement needed.
Just deal and play.
You can rotate partners after a few hands if desired.
Usually, a Mitchell movement is used.
North-South pairs stay put, East-West pairs move.
You can use simple tally cards for East-West to show their movement.
A Howell movement is more common.
All pairs move between rounds.
Each pair has a tally card showing which table, which opponents, and which boards to play.
A Howell movement is still used.
In some cases, the Ardisson movement is used, but this is less common in casual home games.
You need pre-printed tallies or software to manage this smoothly.
You can find Downloadable Ardisson Movement Tallies on Baron Barclay Bridge Supplies. It’s a digital product that you will download and then print as many copies as you need.
Bridge tallies make delightful gifts and prizes for bridge games, adding a touch of charm and elegance to any gathering. Often beautifully illustrated, these tallies come in a variety of designs, from classic and floral motifs to whimsical and themed patterns that reflect the joy of the game. Many tallies are decorated with intricate artwork, vintage styles, or colorful prints that make them more than just a game accessory—they become keepsakes that players treasure. Some are even handcrafted or feature high-quality materials, such as laminated covers or gold accents, making them both durable and decorative. These thoughtful details turn bridge tallies into perfect mementos or prizes, adding a little extra flair to your bridge party and making them a unique and cherished addition to any player’s collection. Whether given as a prize for the highest score or simply as a thank-you gift to a bridge-loving friend, a beautifully designed tally brings a bit of artistry to the game’s traditions.
Though Tally Ho is no more, you can still find bridge tallies available from various sources including some free to download tallies from BridgeHands:
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So next time you’re setting up a bridge party, grab some tallies, mix up those partners, and let the ga
mes b
egin!
