What to Buy for a Bridge Tournament

A bridge tournament needs more than cards and tables. For each playing table, prepare a complete set of cards, bidding boxes, scoreboards, and table numbers, then add supplies for registration, scoring, and refreshments. Plan coffee, tea, soup, sandwiches, and snacks around the tournament schedule so players can eat without delaying play. Check electrical equipment early, especially when coffee machines, kettles, food warmers, and extension cords share one room.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Bridge tablesqty 8
Tablesqty 3
Chairsqty 38
Tableclothsqty 8

Sports equipment

Playing cardsqty 32
Card dealingqty 32
Bied boxesqty 32
Bridge table coversqty 8
Scoreboardsqty 8
Stopwatchesqty 4
Calculatorsqty 2

Tableware

Coffee cupsqty 40
Glassesqty 40
Platesqty 40
Cutlery setsqty 40
Soup bowlsqty 40

Equipment

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Food warmersqty 2
Extension cordsqty 3
Power stripsqty 3

Kitchen

Thermos flasksqty 4
Serving spoonsqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 2
Bread knivesqty 2
Serving traysqty 6
Coolersqty 3

Decorations

Table numbersqty 8
Competition bannersqty 2

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Bucketsqty 2
Mopsqty 2
Litter pickersqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee beans - 2 kilograms
- Black tea - 3 boxes
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Whole milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Sweetener - 1 box
- Teaspoons - 2 packs
- Stir sticks - 1 pack
- Biscuits - 6 packs
- Stroopwafels - 4 packs
- Paprika chips - 3 bags
- Plain chips - 3 bags
- Salted peanuts - 2 bags
- Cheese cubes - 2 kilogram
- Grapes - 2 kilogram
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Cucumbers - 4 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 1 kilogram
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Butter - 500 grams
- Young cheese - 2 kilograms
- Back ham - 1,5 kilogram
- Vegetarian spreads - 8 tubs
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Vegetable soup - 10 liters
- Soup vegetables - 2 kilograms
- Bouillon cubes - 2 boxes
- Croutons - 4 bags
- Mayonnaise - 1 bottle
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Ketchup - 1 bottle
- Still mineral water - 6 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 6 bottles
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Orange juice - 4 cartons
- Beer - 2 crates
- Alcohol-free beer - 1 crate
- Red wine - 6 bottles
- White wine - 6 bottles
- Corkscrews - 2 pieces
- Ice cubes - 6 bags
- Napkins - 5 packs
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 3 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Rinse aid - 1 bottle
- Sponges - 2 packs
- Hand soap - 4 bottles

Tips

Prepare one playing set per bridge table: playing cards, a bidding box, a scoreboard, and a visible table number. Keep at least one spare pack of cards available in case a deck is damaged or incomplete.
Count tableware by guest rather than by table. Provide one cup and glass per person, plus plates, cutlery, and soup bowls for the planned refreshments; add a small reserve for replacements.
Set up coffee and tea supplies before registration starts. Coffee machines and kettles may need separate power connections, so check the room and bring enough extension cords and power strips before the event day.
Serve soup and sandwiches in batches instead of putting everything out at once. Use food warmers, serving trays, serving spoons, cutting boards, and bread knives where needed, and keep drinks chilled in coolers.
Pack registration and scoring supplies separately from food. Table numbers, score sheets, contest sheets, calculators, stopwatches, certificates, and prizes are easy to overlook when shopping is done in one mixed list.

Frequently asked questions

How many decks of cards do I need for a bridge tournament?: Plan one complete deck for each active bridge table, so 12 tables require 12 decks. Bring at least one spare deck, and check every pack before players arrive.
How much coffee and tea should I buy for a bridge tournament?: Allow roughly 2 to 3 hot drinks per person over a half-day tournament, depending on the schedule. Prepare extra cups and keep at least one thermos flask available so serving does not interrupt registration or play.
What do I need at each bridge table?: Each table needs bridge cards, a bidding box, a scoreboard or score sheet, and a table number. If the venue does not provide them, also include a bridge table, table cover, and suitable chairs for four players.
When should I buy the food and chill the drinks?: Buy shelf-stable supplies and disposable or reusable serving items several days before the tournament. Buy fresh bread, sandwiches, and other perishable food within 24 hours, and chill drinks for at least 4 hours before serving.

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