BridgeHands

Diagram/Direction - A graphical layout showing an overhead view of the cards each player holds. Players are referred to by their compass orientation; clockwise from the top, the players are: North, East, South, West.  Also see Opener-Overcaller-Responder-Advancer

Diagram of the Bridge Notation format:
 

Deal: South	A 10 6 3 Q 10 8 K 4 A 9 8 4 2
Q 7 2 A J 3 A Q 10 9 2 J 6	North  West                           East  South	4 9 5 4 J 7 6 5 3 7 5 3
	K J 9 8 5 K 7 6 2 8 K Q 10

 

	West	North	East	South
	-	-	-	1S
	(2D)	4S	(P)	P
	(P)

Two common methods to illustrate suit distribution are:
 

1.	4=5=3=1	Shows exactly 4 Spades, 5 Hearts, 3 Diamonds, 1 Club. Using equal signs, only suit length is given from highest (Spades) to lowest (Clubs).
2.	5-4-3-1	Shows a distribution of 5 cards in one suit, 4 cards in the second suit, 3 cards in the third suit, and 1 card in the fourth suit. Using dash symbols, suits are listed from longest to shortest suits.