LAWS OF DUPLICATE CONTRACT BRIDGE 1997
DEFINITIONS
Adjusted Score
An arbitrary score awarded by the Director (see Law 12).
It is either "artificial" or "assigned".
1. An artificial adjusted score is one awarded in lieu of a result because
no result can be obtained or estimated for a particular deal (e.g., when
an irregularity prevents play of a deal).
2. An assigned adjusted score is awarded to one side, or to both sides,
to be the result of the deal in place of the result actually obtained
after an irregularity.
Alert A notification, whose form may be specified by a sponsoring organisation,
to the effect that opponents may be in need of an explanation.
Auction 1. The process of determining the contract by means of successive
calls.
2. The aggregate of calls made (see Law 17E).
Bid An undertaking to win at least a specified number of odd tricks in
a specified denomination.
Board 1. A duplicate board as described in Law 2.
2. The four hands as originally dealt and placed in a duplicate board
for play during that session.
Call Any bid, double, redouble or pass.
Contestant In an individual event, a player; in a pair event, two players
playing as partners throughout the event; in a team event, four or more
players playing as team-mates.
Contract The undertaking by declarer’s side to win, at the denomination
named, the number of odd tricks specified in the final bid, whether undoubled,
doubled or redoubled.
Convention 1. A call that, by partnership agreement, conveys a meaning
other than willingness to play in the denomination named (or in the last
denomination named), or high-card strength or length (three cards or more)
there. However, an agreement as to overall strength does not make a call
a convention.
2. Defender’s play that serves to convey a meaning by agreement rather
than inference.
Deal 1. The distribution of the pack to form the hands of the four players.
2. The cards so distributed considered as a unit, including the auction
and play thereof.
Declarer The player who, for the side that makes the final bid, first
bid the denomination named in the final bid. He becomes declarer when
the opening lead is faced (but see Law 54A when the
opening lead is made out of turn).
Defender An opponent of (presumed) declarer.
Denomination The suit or no trump specified in a bid.
Director A person designated to supervise a duplicate bridge contest and
to apply these Laws.
Double A call over an opponent’s bid increasing the scoring value of fulfilled
or defeated contracts (see Laws 19 and 77).
Dummy 1. Declarer’s partner. He becomes dummy when the opening lead is
faced.
2. Declarer’s partner’s cards, once they are spread on the table after
the opening lead.
Event A contest of one or more sessions.
Follow Suit Play a card of the suit that has been led.
Game 100 or more trick points scored on one deal
Hand The cards originally dealt to a player, or the remaining portion
thereof.
Honour Any Ace, King, Queen, Jack or 10.
(IMP) A unit of scoring awarded according to a schedule established in
Law 78B.
Irregularity A deviation from the correct procedures set forth in the
Laws.
Lead The first card played to a trick.
LHO Left-hand opponent.
Matchpoint A unit of scoring awarded to a contestant as a result of comparison
with one or more other scores.
Odd Trick Each trick to be won by declarer’s side in excess of six.
Opening Lead The card led to the first trick.
Opponent A player of the other side; a member of the partnership to which
one is opposed.
Overtrick Each trick won by declarer’s side in excess of the contract.
Pack The 52 playing cards with which the game of Contract Bridge is played.
Partner The player with whom one plays as a side against the other two
players.
Partscore 90 or fewer trick points scored on one deal.
Pass A call specifying that a player does not, at that turn, elect to
bid, double or redouble.
Play 1. The contribution of a card from one’s hand to a trick, including
the first card, which is the lead.
2. The aggregate of plays made.
3. The period during which the cards are played.
4. The aggregate of the calls and plays on a board.
Premium Points Any points earned other than trick points (see Law
77).
Psychic Call A deliberate and gross misstatement of honour strength or
suit length.
Rectification Adjustment made to permit the auction or play to proceed
as normally as possible after an irregularity has occurred.
Redouble A call over an opponent’s double, increasing the scoring value
of fulfilled or defeated contracts (see Laws 19 and
77).
Revoke The play of a card of another suit by a player who is able to follow
suit or to comply with a lead penalty.
RHO Right-hand opponent.
Rotation The clockwise order in which the deal and the right to call or
play progress.
Round A part of a session played without progression of players.
Session An extended period of play during which a number of boards, specified
by the sponsoring organisation, is scheduled to be played.
Side Two players who constitute a partnership against the other two players.
Slam A contract to win six odd tricks (called Small Slam), or to win seven
odd tricks (called Grand Slam).
Suit One of four groups of cards in the pack, each group comprising thirteen
cards and having a characteristic symbol: spades, hearts, diamonds, clubs.
Team Two or more pairs playing in different directions at different tables,
but for a common score (applicable regulations may permit teams of more
than four members).
Trick The unit by which the outcome of the contract is determined, regularly
consisting of four cards, one contributed by each player in rotation,
beginning with the lead.
Trick Points Points scored by declarer’s side for fulfilling the contract
(see Law 77).
Trump Each card of the suit, if any, named in the contract.
Turn The correct time at which a player may call or play.
Undertrick Each trick by which declarer’s side falls short of fulfilling
the contract (see Law 77).
Vulnerability The conditions for assigning premiums and undertrick penalties
(see Law 77).
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter I - Definitions
Chapter II - Preliminaries
LAW 1 THE PACK — RANK OF CARDS AND SUITS
LAW 2 THE DUPLICATE BOARDS
LAW 3 ARRANGEMENT OF TABLES
LAW 4 PARTNERSHIPS
LAW 5 ASSIGNMENT OF SEATS
Chapter III - Preparation and Progression
LAW 6 THE SHUFFLE AND DEAL
LAW 7 CONTROL OF BOARD AND CARDS
LAW 8 SEQUENCE OF ROUNDS
Chapter IV - General Laws Governing Irregularities
LAW 9 PROCEDURE FOLLOWING AN IRREGULARITY
LAW 10 ASSESSMENT OF A PENALTY
LAW 11 FORFEITURE OF THE RIGHT TO PENALISE
LAW 12 DIRECTOR’S DISCRETIONARY POWERS
LAW 13 INCORRECT NUMBER OF CARDS
LAW 14 MISSING CARD
LAW 15 PLAY OF A WRONG BOARD
LAW 16 UNAUTHORISED INFORMATION
Chapter V - The Auction
PART I - CORRECT PROCEDURE
LAW 17 DURATION OF THE AUCTION
LAW 18 BIDS
LAW 19 DOUBLES AND REDOUBLES
LAW 20 REVIEW AND EXPLANATION OF CALLS
LAW 21 CALL BASED ON MISINFORMATION
LAW 22 PROCEDURE AFTER THE AUCTION HAS ENDED
PART II - IRREGULARITIES IN PROCEDURE
LAW 23 DAMAGING ENFORCED PASS
LAW 24 CARD EXPOSED OR LED DURING AUCTION
LAW 25 LEGAL AND ILLEGAL CHANGES OF CALL
LAW 26 CALL WITHDRAWN, LEAD PENALTIES
LAW 27 INSUFFICIENT BID
LAW 28 CALLS CONSIDERED TO BE IN ROTATION
LAW 29 PROCEDURE AFTER A CALL OUT OF ROTATION
LAW 30 PASS OUT OF ROTATION
LAW 31 BID OUT OF ROTATION
LAW 32 DOUBLE OR REDOUBLE OUT OF ROTATION
LAW 33 SIMULTANEOUS CALLS
LAW 34 RETENTION OF RIGHT TO CALL
LAW 35 INADMISSIBLE CALL CONDONED
LAW 36 INADMISSIBLE DOUBLE OR REDOUBLE
LAW 37 ACTION VIOLATING OBLIGATION TO PASS
LAW 38 BID OF MORE THAN SEVEN
LAW 39 CALL AFTER FINAL PASS
LAW 40 PARTNERSHIP UNDERSTANDINGS
Chapter VI - The Play
PART I - PROCEDURE
LAW 41 COMMENCEMENT OF PLAY
LAW 42 DUMMY’S RIGHTS
LAW 43 DUMMY’S LIMITATIONS
LAW 44 SEQUENCE AND PROCEDURE OF PLAY
LAW 45 CARD PLAYED
LAW 46 INCOMPLETE OR ERRONEOUS CALL OF CARD FROM DUMMY
LAW 47 RETRACTION OF CARD PLAYED
PART II - PENALTY CARD
LAW 48 EXPOSURE OF DECLARER’S CARDS
LAW 49 EXPOSURE OF A DEFENDER’S CARDS
LAW 50 DISPOSITION OF PENALTY CARD
LAW 51 TWO OR MORE PENALTY CARDS
LAW 52 FAILURE TO LEAD OR PLAY A PENALTY CARD
PART III - IRREGULAR LEADS AND PLAYS
LAW 53 LEAD OUT OF TURN ACCEPTED
LAW 54 FACED OPENING LEAD OUT OF TURN
LAW 55 DECLARER’S LEAD OUT OF TURN
LAW 56 DEFENDER’S LEAD OUT OF TURN
LAW 57 PREMATURE LEAD OR PLAY BY DEFENDER
LAW 58 SIMULTANEOUS LEADS OR PLAYS
LAW 59 INABILITY TO LEAD OR PLAY AS REQUIRED
LAW 60 PLAY AFTER AN ILLEGAL PLAY
LAW 61 FAILURE TO FOLLOW SUIT - INQUIRIES CONCERNING
A REVOKE
LAW 62 CORRECTION OF A REVOKE
LAW 63 ESTABLISHMENT OF A REVOKE
LAW 64 PROCEDURE AFTER ESTABLISHMENT OF A REVOKE
PART IV - TRICKS
LAW 65 ARRANGEMENT OF TRICKS
LAW 66 INSPECTION OF TRICKS
LAW 67 DEFECTIVE TRICK
PART V - CLAIMS AND CONCESSIONS
LAW 68 CLAIM OR CONCESSION OF TRICKS
LAW 69 ACQUIESCENCE IN CLAIM OR CONCESSION
LAW 70 CONTESTED CLAIMS
LAW 71 CONCESSION CANCELLED
Chapter VII - Proprieties
LAW 72 GENERAL PRINCIPLES
LAW 73 COMMUNICATION
LAW 74 CONDUCT AND ETIQUETTE
LAW 75 PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENTS
LAW 76 SPECTATORS
Chapter VIII - The Score
LAW 77 DUPLICATE BRIDGE SCORING TABLE
LAW 78 METHODS OF SCORING
LAW 79 TRICKS WON
Chapter IX - Tournament Sponsorship
LAW 80 SPONSORING ORGANISATION
Chapter X - Tournament Director
LAW 81 DUTIES AND POWERS
LAW 82 RECTIFICATION OF ERRORS OF PROCEDURE
LAW 83 NOTIFICATION OF THE RIGHT TO APPEAL
LAW 84 RULINGS ON AGREED FACTS
LAW 85 RULINGS ON DISPUTED FACTS
LAW 86 IN TEAM PLAY
LAW 87 FOULED BOARD
LAW 88 AWARD OF INDEMNITY POINTS
LAW 89 PENALTIES IN INDIVIDUAL EVENTS
LAW 90 PROCEDURAL PENALTIES
LAW 91 PENALISE OR SUSPEND
Chapter XI - Appeals
LAW 92 RIGHT TO APPEAL
LAW 93 PROCEDURES OF APPEAL
Index
INDEX OF TERMS
LAW 1 THE PACK — RANK OF CARDS AND SUITS
Duplicate Contract Bridge is played with a pack of 52 cards, consisting of 13 cards in each
of four suits. The suits rank downward in the order spades, hearts, diamonds,
clubs. The Cards of each suit rank downward in the order Ace, King, Queen,
Jack, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2.
LAW 2 THE DUPLICATE BOARDS
A duplicate board containing a pack is provided for each deal to be played during a session.
Each board is numbered and has four pockets to hold the four hands, designated
North, East, South and West. The dealer and vulnerability are designated
as follows:
North Dealer Boards 1 5 9 13
East Dealer Boards 2 6 10 14
South Dealer Boards 3 7 11 15
West Dealer Boards 4 8 12 16
Neither Side Vulnerable Boards 1 8 11 14
North–South Vulnerable Boards 2 5 12 15
East–West Vulnerable Boards 3 6 9 16
Both Sides Vulnerable Boards 4 7 10 13
The same sequence is repeated for Boards 17–32 and for each subsequent group of 16 boards.
No board that fails to conform to these conditions should be used. If
such board is used, however, the conditions marked on it apply for that
session.
LAW 3 ARRANGEMENT OF TABLES
Four players
play at each table, and tables are numbered in a sequence established
by the Director. He designates one direction as North; other compass directions
assume the normal relationship to North.
LAW 4 PARTNERSHIPS
The four players at each table constitute two partnerships or sides, North–South against
East–West. In pair or team events the contestants enter as pairs or teams
and retain the same partnerships throughout a session (except in the case
of substitutions authorised by the Director). In individual events each
player enters separately, and partnerships change during a session.
LAW 5 ASSIGNMENT OF SEATS
A. Initial Position
The Director assigns an initial position to each contestant (individual,
pair or team) at the start of a session. Unless otherwise directed, the
members of each pair or team may select seats among those assigned to
them by mutual agreement. Having once selected a compass direction, a
player may change it within a session only upon instruction or with permission
of the Director.
B. Change of Direction or Table
Players change their initial compass direction or proceed to another table
in accordance with the Director’s instructions. The Director is responsible
for clear announcement of instructions; each player is responsible for
moving when and as directed and for occupying the correct seat after each
change.
LAW 6 THE SHUFFLE AND DEAL
A. The Shuffle
Before play starts, each pack is thoroughly shuffled. There is a cut if
either opponent so requests.
B. The Deal
The cards must be dealt face down, one card at time, into four hands of
thirteen cards each; each hand is then placed face down in one of the
four pockets of the board. The recommended procedure is that the cards
be dealt in rotation, clockwise.
C. Representation of Both Pairs
A member of each side should be present during the shuffle and deal unless
the Director instructs otherwise.
D. New Shuffle and Re-deal
1. Cards Incorrectly Dealt or Exposed
There must be a new shuffle and a re-deal if it is ascertained before
the auction begins for both sides (see Law 17A) that the cards have been
incorrectly dealt or that a player could have seen the face of a card
belonging to another hand.
2. No Shuffle or No Deal
No result may stand if the cards are dealt without shuffle from a sorted
deck or if the deal had previously been played in a different session.
3. At Director’s Instruction
Subject to Law 22A, there must be a new shuffle and a redeal when required
by the Director for any reason compatible with the Laws (but see Law 86C).
E. Director’s Option on Shuffling and Dealing
1. By Players
The Director may instruct that the shuffle and deal be performed at each
table immediately before play starts.
2. By Director
The Director may perform the shuffle and deal in advance, himself.
3. By Agents or Assistants
The Director may have his assistants or other appointed agents perform
the shuffle and deal in advance.
4. Different Method of Dealing or Pre-dealing
The Director may require a different method of dealing or pre-dealing.
F. Duplication of Board
If required by the conditions of play, one or more exact copies of each
original deal may be made under the Director’s instructions.
LAW 7 THE SHUFFLE AND DEAL
A. Placement
of Board
When a board is to be played it is placed in the centre of the table until
play is completed.
B. Removal of Cards from Board
Each player takes a hand from the pocket corresponding to his compass
position.
1. Counting Cards in Hand before Play
Each player counts his cards face down to be sure he has exactly thirteen;
after that, and before making a call, he must inspect the face of his
cards.
2. Control of Player’s Hand
During play each player retains possession of his own cards, not permitting
them to be mixed with those of any other player. No player shall touch
any cards other than his own (but declarer may play dummy’s cards in accordance
with Law 45) during or after play except by permission of the Director.
C. Returning Cards to Board
Each player shall restore his original thirteen cards to the pocket corresponding
to his compass position. Thereafter no hand shall be removed from the
board unless a member of each side, or the Director, is present.
D. Responsibility for Procedures
Any contestant remaining at a table throughout a session is primarily
responsible for maintaining proper conditions of play at the table.
LAW 8 SEQUENCE OF ROUNDS
A. Movement of Boards and Players
1. Director’s Instructions
The Director instructs the players as to the proper movement of boards
and progression of contestants.
2. Responsibility for Moving Boards
The North player at each table is responsible for moving the boards just
completed at his table to the proper table for the following round, unless
the Director instructs otherwise.
B. End of Round
In general, a round ends when the Director gives the signal for the start
of the following round; but if any table has not completed play by that
time, the round continues for that table until there has been a progression
of players.
C. End of Last Round and End of Session
The last round of a session, and the session itself, ends for each table
when play of all boards scheduled at that table has been completed, and
when all scores have been entered on the proper scoring forms without
objection.
LAW 9 PROCEDURE FOLLOWING AN IRREGULARITY
A. Calling Attention to an Irregularity
1. During the Auction Period
Unless prohibited by Law, any player may call attention to an irregularity
during the auction, whether or not it is his turn to call.
2. During the Play Period
(a) Unless prohibited by Law, declarer or either defender may call attention
toan irregularity that occurs during the play period.
(b) Dummy (dummy’s restricted rights are defined in Laws 42 and 43)
(1) Dummy may not call attention to an irregularity during the play but
may do so after play of the hand is concluded.
(2) Dummy may attempt to prevent declarer from committing an irregularity
(Law 42B2).
B. After Attention Is Called to an Irregularity
1. Summoning the Director
(a) When to Summon
The Director must be summoned at once when attention is drawn to an irregularity.
(b) Who May Summon
Any player, including dummy, may summon the Director after attention has
been drawn to an irregularity.
(c) Retention of Rights
Summoning the Director does not cause a player to forfeit any rights to
which he might otherwise be entitled.
(d) Opponents’ Rights
The fact that a player draws attention to an irregularity committed by
his side does not affect the rights of the opponents.
2. Further Bids or Plays
No player shall take any action until the Director has explained all matters
in regard to rectification and to the assessment of a penalty.
C. Premature Correction of an Irregularity
Any premature correction of an irregularity by the offender may subject
him to a further penalty (see the lead penalties of Law 26).
LAW 10 ASSESMENT OF A PENALTY
A. Right to Assess Penalty
The Director alone has the right to assess penalties when applicable.
Players do not have the right to assess (or waive) penalties on their
own initiative.
B. Cancellation of Payment or Waiver of Penalty
The Director may allow or cancel any payment or waiver of penalties made
by the players without his instructions.
C. Choice after Irregularity
1. Explanation of Options
When these Laws provide an option after an irregularity, the Director
shall explain all the options available.
2. Choice among options
If a player has an option after an irregularity, he must make his selection
without consulting partner.
LAW 11 FORFEITURE OF THE RIGHT TO PENALISE
A. Action by Non-Offending Side
The right to penalise an irregularity may be forfeited if either member
of the non-offending side takes any action before summoning the Director.
The Director so rules when the non-offending side may have gained through
subsequent action taken by an opponent in ignorance of the penalty.
B. Irregularity Called by Spectator
1. Spectator Responsibility of Non-Offending Side
The right to penalise an irregularity may be forfeited if attention is
first drawn to the irregularity by a spectator for whose presence at the
table the non-offending side is responsible.
2. Spectator Responsibility of Offending Side
The right to correct an irregularity may be forfeited if attention is
first drawn to the irregularity by a spectator for whose presence at the
table the offending side is responsible.
C. Penalty after Forfeiture of the Right to Penalise
Even after the right to penalise has been forfeited under this Law, the
Director may assess a procedural penalty (see Law 90).
LAW 12 DIRECTOR'S DISCRETIONARY POWERS
A. Right to
Award an Adjusted Score
The Director may award an adjusted score (or scores), either on his own
initiative or on the application of any player, but only when these Laws
empower him to do so, or:
1. Laws Provide No Indemnity
The Director may award an assigned adjusted score when he judges that
these Laws do not provide indemnity to the non-offending contestant for
the particular type of violation of law committed by an opponent.
2. Normal Play of the Board Is Impossible
The Director may award an artificial adjusted score if no rectification
can be made that will permit normal play of the board (see Law 88).
3. Incorrect Penalty Has Been Paid
The Director may award an adjusted score if an incorrect penalty has been
paid.
B. No Adjustment for Undue Severity of Penalty
The Director may not award an adjusted score on the ground that the penalty
provided in these Laws is either unduly severe or advantageous to either
side.
C. Awarding an Adjusted Score
1. Artificial Score
When, owing to an irregularity, no result can be obtained, the Director
awards an artificial adjusted score according to responsibility for the
irregularity: average minus ( at most 40% of the available matchpoints
in pairs) to a contestant directly at fault; average (50% in pairs) to
a contestant only partially at fault; average plus (at least 60% in pairs
) to a contestant in no way at fault (see Law 86 for team play or Law
88 for pairs play). The scores awarded to the two sides need not balance.
2. Assigned Score
When the Director awards an assigned adjusted score in place of a result
actually obtained after an irregularity, the score is, for a non-offending
side, the most favourable result that was likely had the irregularity
not occurred or, for an offending side, the most unfavourable result that
was at all probable. The scores awarded to the two sides need not balance
and may be assigned either in matchpoints or by altering the total-point
score prior to matchpointing
3. Unless Zonal Organisations specify otherwise, an appeals committee
may vary an assigned adjusted score in order to do equity.
LAW 13 INCORRECT NUMBEROF CARDS
When the Director determines that one or more pockets of the board contained
an incorrect number of cards(1), and a player with an incorrect hand has
made a call, then when the Director deems that the deal can be corrected
and played normally with no change of call, the deal may be so played
with the concurrence of all four players. Otherwise, the Director shall
award an artificial adjusted score and may penalise an offender. If no
such call has been made, then:
A. No Player Has Seen Another’s Card
The Director shall correct the discrepancy as follows and, if no player
will then have seen another’s card, shall require that the board be played
normally.
1. Hand Records
When hand records are available, the Director shall distribute the cards
in accordance with the records.
2. Consult Previous Players
If hand records are not available, the Director shall correct the board
by consulting with players who have previously played it.
3. Require a Redeal
If the board was incorrectly dealt, the Director shall require a redeal
(Law 6).
B. A Player Has Seen Another Player’s Card(s)
When the Director determines that one or more pockets of the board contained
an incorrect number of cards and after restoration of the board to its
original condition a player has seen one or more cards of another player’s
hand, if the Director deems:
1. The Information Gained Is Inconsequential
That such information will not interfere with normal bidding or play,
the Director, with the concurrence of all four players, may allow the
board to be played and scored normally.
2. The Information Will Interfere with Normal Play
That the information gained thereby is of sufficient importance to interfere
with normal bidding or play, or if any player objects to playing the board,
the Director shall award an artificial adjusted score and may penalise
an offender.
C. Play Completed
When it is determined after play ends that a player’s hand originally
contained more than 13 cards with another player holding correspondingly
fewer, the result must be cancelled (for procedural penalty, see Law 90).
LAW 14 MISSING CARD
A. Hand Found Deficient before
Play Commences
When three hands are correct and the fourth is found to be deficient before
the play period begins, the Director makes a search for any missing card,
and:
1. Card Is Found
If a card is found, it is restored to the deficient hand.
2. Card Cannot Be Found
If a card cannot be found, the Director reconstructs the deal, as near
to its original form as he can determine, by substituting another pack.
B. Hand Found Deficient Afterwards
When three hands are correct and the fourth is found to be deficient after
the play period begins, the Director makes a search for any missing card,
and:
1. Card Is Found
(a) If a card is found among the played cards, Law 67 applies.
(b) If a card is found elsewhere, it is restored to the deficient hand,
and penalties may apply (see 3., following).
2. Card Cannot Be Found
If a card cannot be found, the deal is reconstructed as nearly as can
be determined in its original form by substituting another pack, and penalties
may apply (see 3., following).
3. Possible Penalties
A card restored to a hand under the provisions of Section B of this Law
is deemed to have belonged continuously to the deficient hand. It may
become a penalty card (Law 50), and failure to have played it may constitute
a revoke.
LAW 15 PLAY OF A WRONG BOARD
A. Players Have
Not Previously Played Board
If players play a board not designated for them to play in the current
round:
1. Score Board as Played
The Director normally allows the score to stand if none of the four players
have previously played the board.
2. Designate a Late Play
The Director may require both pairs to play the correct board against
one another later.
B. One or More Players Have Previously Played Board
If any player plays a board he has previously played, with the correct
opponents or otherwise, his second score on the board is cancelled both
for his side and his opponents, and the Director shall award an artificial
adjusted score to the contestants deprived of the opportunity to earn
a valid score.
C. Discovered during Auction
If, during the auction period, the Director discovers that a contestant
is playing a board not designated for him to play in the current round,
he shall cancel the auction, ensure that the correct contestants are seated
and that they are informed of their rights both now and at future rounds.
A second auction begins. Players must repeat calls they made previously.
If any call differs in any way from the corresponding call in the first
auction, the Director shall cancel the board. Otherwise, play continues
normally.
LAW 16 UNAUTHORISED INFORMATION
Players are authorised to base their calls and plays on information from legal calls
and or plays, and from mannerisms of opponents. To base a call or play
on other extraneous information may be an infraction of law.
A. Extraneous Information from Partner
After a player makes available to his partner extraneous information that
may suggest a call or play, as by means of a remark, a question, a reply
to a question, or by unmistakable hesitation, unwonted speed, special
emphasis, tone, gesture, movement, mannerism or the like, the partner
may not choose from among logical alternative actions one that could demonstrably
have been suggested over another by the extraneous information.
1. When Such Information Is Given
When a player considers that an opponent has made such information available
and that damage could well result, he may, unless the regulations of the
sponsoring organisation prohibit, immediately announce that he reserves
the right to summon the Director later (the opponents should summon the
Director immediately if they dispute the fact that unauthorised information
might have been conveyed).
2. When Illegal Alternative Is Chosen
When a player has substantial reason to believe (2) that an opponent who
had a logical alternative has chosen an action that could have been suggested
by such information, he should summon the Director forthwith. The Director
shall require the auction and play to continue, standing ready to assign
an adjusted score if he considers that an infraction of law has resulted
in damage.
B. Extraneous Information from Other Sources
When a player accidentally receives unauthorised information about a board
he is playing or has yet to play, as by looking at the wrong hand; by
overhearing calls, results or remarks; by seeing cards at another table;
or by seeing a card belonging to another player at his own table before
the auction begins, the Director should be notified forthwith, preferably
by the recipient of the information. If the Director considers that the
information could interfere with normal play, he may:
1. Adjust Positions
if the type of contest and scoring permit, adjust the players’ positions
at the table, so that the player with information about one hand will
hold that hand; or,
2. Appoint Substitute
with the concurrence of all four players, appoint a temporary substitute
to replace the player who received the unauthorised information; or,
3. Award an Adjusted Score
forthwith award an artificial adjusted score.
C. Information from Withdrawn Calls and Plays
A call or play may be withdrawn, and another substituted, either by a
non-offending side after an opponent’s infraction or by an offending side
to rectify an infraction.
1. Non-offending Side
For the non-offending side, all information arising from a withdrawn action
is authorised, whether the action be its own or its opponents’.
2. Offending Side
For the offending side, information arising from its own withdrawn action
and from withdrawn actions of the non-offending side is unauthorised.
A player of the offending side may not choose from among logical alternative
actions one that could demonstrably have been suggested over another by
the unauthorised information.
LAW 17 DURATION OF THE AUCTION
A. Auction Period
Starts
The auction period on a deal begins for a side when either partner looks
at the face of his cards
B. The First Call
The player designated by the board as dealer makes the first call.
C. Successive Calls
The player to dealer’s left makes the second call, and thereafter each
player calls in turn in a clockwise rotation.
D. Cards from Wrong Board
If a player who has inadvertently picked up the cards from a wrong board
makes a call, that call is cancelled. If offender’s LHO has called over
the cancelled call, the Director shall assign artificial adjusted scores
(see Law 90 for penalty) when offender’s substituted call differs in any
significant way from his cancelled call. If offender subsequently repeats
the cancelled call on the board from which he mistakenly drew his cards,
the Director may allow that board to be played normally, but the Director
shall assign artificial adjusted scores (see Law 90) when offender’s call
differs in any way from his original cancelled call.
E. End of Auction Period
The auction period ends when all four players pass or when after three
passes in rotation have followed any call the opening lead is faced (when
a pass out of rotation has been accepted, see Law 34).
LAW 18 BIDS
A. Proper Form
A bid names a number of odd tricks, from one to seven, and a denomination.
(Pass, double and redouble are calls but not bids.)
B. To Supersede a Bid
A bid supersedes a previous bid if it names either the same number of
odd tricks in a higher-ranking denomination or a greater number of odd
tricks in any denomination.
C. Sufficient Bid
A bid that supersedes the immediately previous bid is a sufficient bid.
D. Insufficient Bid
A bid that fails to supersede the immediately previous bid is an insufficient
bid.
E. Rank of the Denominations
The rank of the denominations in descending order is: no trump, spades,
hearts, diamonds, clubs.
F. Different Methods
Zonal Organisations may authorise different methods of making calls.
LAW 19 DOUBLES AND REDOUBLES
A. Doubles
1. Legal Double
A player may double only the last preceding bid. That bid must have been
made by an opponent; calls other than pass must not have intervened.
2. Proper Form for Double
In doubling, a player should not state the number of odd tricks or the
denomination. The only correct form is the single word "Double".
3. Double of Incorrectly Stated Bid
If a player, in doubling, incorrectly states the bid, or the number of
odd tricks or the denomination, he is deemed to have doubled the bid as
it was made. (Law 16 — Unauthorised Information — may apply.)
B. Redoubles
1. Legal Redouble
A player may redouble only the last preceding double. That double must
have been made by an opponent; calls other than pass must not have intervened.
2. Proper Form for a Redouble
In redoubling, a player should not state the number of odd tricks or the
denomination. The only correct form is the single word "Redouble".
3. Redouble of an Incorrectly Stated Bid
If a player, in redoubling, incorrectly states the doubled bid, or the
number of odd tricks or the denomination, he is deemed to have redoubled
the bid as it was made. (Law 16 — Unauthorised Information — may apply.)
C. Double or Redouble Superseded
Any double or redouble is superseded by a subsequent legal bid.
D. Scoring a Doubled or Redoubled Contract
If a doubled or redoubled bid is not followed by a subsequent legal bid,
scoring values are increased as provided in Law 77.
LAW 20 REVIEW AND EXPLANATION OF CALLS
A. Call Not Clearly Heard
A player who does not hear a call distinctly may forthwith require that
it be repeated.
B. Review of Auction during Auction Period
During the auction period, a player is entitled to have all (1) previous
calls restated when it is his turn to call, unless he is required by law
to pass; Alerts should be included in the restatement.
C. Review after Final Pass
1. Opening Lead Inquiry
After the final pass either defender has the right to ask if it is his
opening lead (see Laws 47E and 41).
2. Review of Auction
Declarer or either defender may, at his first turn to play, require all
(1) previous calls to be restated (see Law 41B and 41C).
D. Who May Review the Auction
A request to have calls restated shall be responded to only by an opponent.
E. Correction of Error in Review
All players, including dummy or a player required by law to pass, are
responsible for prompt correction of errors in restatement (see Law 12C1
when an uncorrected review causes damage).
F. Explanation of Calls
1. During the Auction
During the auction and before the final pass, any player, at his own turn
to call, may request a full explanation of the opponents’ auction (questions
may be asked about calls actually made or about relevant calls available
but not made); replies should normally be given by the partner of a player
who made a call in question (see Law 75C).
2. During the Play Period
After the final pass and throughout the play period, either defender at
his own turn to play may request an explanation of opposing auction. At
his or dummy’s turn to play, the declarer may request (2) an explanation
of a defender’s call or card play conventions.
(1) A player may not ask for a partial restatement of previous calls and
may not halt the review before it has been completed
(2) Law 16 may apply, and sponsoring organisations may establish regulations
for written explanation.
LAW 21 CALL BASED ON MISINFORMATION
A. Call Based on Caller’s Misunderstanding
A player has no recourse if he has made a call on the basis of his own
misunderstanding.
B. Call Based
on Misinformation from an Opponent
1. Change of Call
Until the end of the auction period (see Law 17E), a player may, without
penalty, change a call when it is probable that he made the call as a
result of misinformation given to him by an opponent (failure to alert
promptly to a conventional call or special understanding, where such alert
is required by the sponsoring organisation, is deemed misinformation),
provided that his partner has not subsequently called.
2. Change of Call by Opponent Following Correction
When a player elects to change a call because of misinformation (as in
1., preceding), his LHO may then in turn change any subsequent call he
may have made, without penalty (unless his withdrawn call conveyed such
information as to damage the non-offending side, in which case the Director
may assign an adjusted score). (For unauthorised information from withdrawn
calls, see Law 16C.)
3. Too Late to Change Call
When it is too late to change a call, the Director may award an adjusted
score (Law 40C may apply).
LAW 22 PROCEDURE AFTER THE AUCTION HAS ENDED
After the auction
period has ended,
No Player Has Bid
if no player has bid, the hands are returned to the board without play.
There shall not be a redeal.
B. One or More Players Have Bid
if any player has bid, the final bid becomes the contract, and play begins.
LAW 23 DAMAGING ENFORCED PASS
Reference will be made to this Law from many other Laws that prescribe penalties for
auction-period infractions.When the penalty for an irregularity under
any Law would compel the offender’s partner to pass at his next turn,
if the Director deems that the offender, at the time of his irregularity,
could have known that the enforced pass would be likely to damage the
non-offending side, he shall require the auction and play to continue
and consider awarding an adjusted score. (See Law 72B1.)
LAW 24 CARD EXPOSED OR LED DURING AUCTION
When the Director
determines, during the auction, that because of a player’s action one
or more cards of that player’s hand were in position for the face to be
seen by his partner, the Director shall require that every such card be
left face up on the table until the auction closes; and (penalty) if the
offender subsequently becomes a defender, declarer may treat every such
card as a penalty card (Law 50). In addition:
A. Low Card Not
Prematurely Led
If it is a single card below the rank of an honour and not prematurely
led, there is no further penalty.
B. Single Card of Honour Rank or Card Prematurely Led
If it is a single card of honour rank or is any card prematurely led,
(penalty) offender’s partner must pass when next it is his turn to call
(see Law 23 when a pass damages the non-offending side).
C. Two or More Cards Are Exposed
If two or more cards are so exposed, (penalty) offender’s partner must
pass when next it is his turn to call (see Law 23 when a pass damages
the non-offending side).
LAW 25 LEGAL AND ILLEGAL CHANGES OF CALL <
A. Immediate
Correction of Inadvertency
Until his partner makes a call, a player may substitute his intended call
for an inadvertent call but only if he does so, or attempts to do so,
without pause for thought. If legal, his last call stands without penalty;
if illegal, it is subject to the applicable Law.
B. Delayed or Purposeful Correction
Until LHO calls, a call may be substituted when Section A does not apply:
1. Substitute Call Condoned
The substituted call may be accepted (treated as legal) at the option
of offender’s LHO (1); then, the second call stands and the auction proceeds
without penalty. If offender’s LHO has called before attention is drawn
to the infraction and the Director determines that LHO intended his call
to apply over the offender’s original call at that turn, offender’s substituted
call stands without penalty, and LHO may withdraw his call without penalty
(but see Law 16C2).
2. Not Condoned
If the substituted call is not accepted, it is cancelled, and
(a) First Call Illegal
if the first call was illegal, the offender is subject to the applicable
law (and the lead penalties of Law 26 may apply to the second call).
(b) First Call Legal
if the first call was legal, the offender must either
(1) Let First Call Stand
allow his first call to stand, in which case (penalty) his partner must
pass when next it is his turn to call (see Law 23 when the pass damages
the non-offending side), or,
(2) Substitute Another Call
make any other legal call, in which case (penalty) the auction proceeds
normally (but offender’s partner may not base calls on information from
withdrawn calls); the offending side (2) may receive no score greater
than average minus (see Law 12C1).
(c) Lead Penalties
In either case (b) (1) or (b) (2) above, the offender’s partner will be
subject to a lead penalty (see Law 26) if he becomes a defender.
(1) When the original bid was insufficient, apply Law 27 (2) The non-offending
side receives the score achieved at the table
LAW 26 CALL WITHDRAWN, LEAD PENALTIES
When an offending player’s call is withdrawn, and he chooses a different (1) final call
for that turn, then if he becomes a defender:
A. Call Related to Specific Suit
if the withdrawn call related to a specified suit or suits and
1. Suit Specified
if that suit was specified by the same player, there is no lead penalty,
but see Law 16C.
2. Suit Not Specified
if that suit was not specified in the legal auction by the same player,
then declarer may (penalty) either require the offender’s partner to lead
the specified suit (or one particular specified suit) at his first turn
to lead, including the opening lead, or prohibit offender’s partner from
leading the specified suit (or one particular specified suit) at his first
turn to lead, including the opening lead, such prohibition to continue
for as long as offender’s partner retains the lead.
B. Other Withdrawn Calls
For other withdrawn calls, (penalty) declarer may prohibit offender’s
partner from leading any one suit (2) at his first turn to lead, including
the opening lead, such prohibition to continue for as long as offender’s
partner retains the lead.
(1) A call repeated with a much different meaning shall be deemed a different
call (2) Declarer specifies the suit when offender's partner first has
the lead
LAW 27 INSUFFICIENT BID
A. Insufficient Bid Accepted
Any insufficient bid may be accepted (treated as legal) at the option
of offender’s LHO. It is accepted if that player calls.
B. Insufficient Bid Not Accepted
If an insufficient bid made in rotation is not accepted, it must be corrected
by the substitution of either a sufficient bid or a pass.
1. Not Conventional and Corrected by Lowest Sufficient Bid in Same Denomination
(a) No Penalty
If both the insufficient bid and the bid substituted are incontrovertibly
not conventional and if the bid is corrected by the lowest sufficient
bid in the same denomination, the auction proceeds as though the irregularity
had not occurred (Law 16C2 does not apply to this situation, but see (b)
following).
(b) Award of Adjusted Score
If the Director judges that the insufficient bid conveyed such information
as to damage the non-offending side, he shall assign an adjusted score.
In either case (b) (1) or (b) (2) above, the offender’s partner will be
subject to a lead penalty (see Law 26) if he becomes a defender.
2. Conventional, or Corrected by Any Other Sufficient Bid or Pass
If either the insufficient bid or the lowest sufficient bid in the same
denomination may have been conventional or if the bid is corrected by
any other sufficient bid or by a pass, (penalty) the offender’s partner
must pass whenever it is his turn to call (apply Law 10C1 and see Law
23 when the pass damages the non-offending side; and the lead penalties
of Law 26 may apply).
3. Attempt to Correct by a Double or Redouble
If the offender attempts to substitute a double or redouble for his insufficient
bid, the attempted call is cancelled, and (penalty) his partner must pass
whenever it is his turn to call (see Law 23 when the pass damages the
non-offending side, and the lead penalties of Law 26 may apply).
C. Insufficient Bid Out of Rotation
If a player makes an insufficient bid out of rotation, Law 31 applies.
LAW 28 CALLS CONSIDERED TO BE IN ROTATION
A. RHO Required to Pass
A call is considered to be in rotation when it is made by a player at
his RHO’s turn to call if that opponent is required by law to pass.
B. Call by Correct Player Cancelling Call Out of Rotation
A call is considered to be in rotation when made by a player whose turn
it was to call, before a penalty has been assessed for a call out of rotation
by an opponent; making such a call forfeits the right to penalise the
call out of rotation, and the auction proceeds as though the opponent
had not called at that turn, but Law 16C2 applies.
LAW 29 PROCEDURE AFTER A CALL OUT OF ROTATION
A. Forfeiture
of Right to Penalise
Following a call out of rotation, offender’s LHO may elect to call, thereby
forfeiting the right to penalise.
B. Out-of-Rotation Call Cancelled
Otherwise, a call out of rotation is cancelled (but see A preceding),
and the auction reverts to the player whose turn it was to call. Offender
may make any legal call in proper rotation, but his side may be subject
to penalty under Laws 30, 31 or 32.
C. Call Out of Rotation Is Conventional
If a call out of rotation is conventional, the provisions of Laws 30,
31, and 32 shall apply to the denominations specified, rather than the
denominations named.
LAW 30 PASS OUT OF ROTATION
When a player
has passed out of rotation (and the call is cancelled, as the option to
accept the call has not been exercised — see Law 29):
A. Before Any
Player Has Bid
When a player has passed out of rotation before any player has bid, (penalty)
the offender must pass when next it is his turn to call and Law 72B1 may
apply.
B. After Any Player Has Bid
1. At RHO’s Turn to Call
After any player has bid, when a pass out of rotation is made at offender’s
RHO’s turn to call, (penalty) offender must pass when next it is his turn
to call (if the pass out of rotation related by convention to a specific
suit, or suits, thereby conveying information, the lead penalties of Law
26 may apply).
2. At Partner’s Turn to Call
(a) Action Required of Offender
After any player has bid, for a pass out of rotation made at the offender’s
partner’s turn to call, (penalty) the offender must pass whenever it is
his turn to call, and Law 72B1 may apply.
(b) Action Open to Offender’s Partner
Offender’s partner may make any sufficient bid, or may pass, but may not
double or redouble at that turn, and Law 72B1 may apply.
3. At LHO’s Turn to Call
After any player has bid, a pass out of rotation at offender’s LHO’s turn
to call is treated as a change of call and Law 25 applies.
C. When Pass Is a Convention
When the pass out of rotation is a convention, Law 31, not this Law, will
apply. A pass is a convention if, by special agreement, it promises more
than a specified amount of strength, or if it artificially promises or
denies values other than in the last suit named.
LAW 31 BID OUT OF ROTATION
When a player
has bid out of rotation (and the bid is cancelled, as the option to accept
the bid has not been exercised — see Law 29):
A. RHO’s Turn
When the offender has bid (or has passed partner’s call when it is a convention,
in which case section A2(b) applies) at his RHO’s turn to call, then:
1. RHO Passes
If that opponent passes, offender must repeat the call out of rotation,
and when that call is legal there is no penalty.
2. RHO Acts
If that opponent makes a legal (1) bid, double or redouble, offender may
make any legal call; when this call
(a) Repeats Denomination
repeats the denomination of his bid out of rotation, (penalty) offender’s
partner must pass when next it is his turn to call (see Law 23).
(b) Does Not Repeat Denomination
does not repeat the denomination of his bid out of rotation, the lead
penalties of Law 26 may apply, and (penalty) offender’s partner must pass
whenever it is his turn to call (see Law 23).
B. Partner’s or LHO’s Turn
When the offender has bid at his partner’s turn to call, or at his LHO’s
turn to call if the offender has not previously called, (2) (penalty)
offender’s partner must pass whenever it is his turn to call (see Law
23 when the pass damages the non-offending side), and the lead penalties
of Law 26 may apply.
(1) An illegal call by RHO is penalised as usual (2) Later bids at LHO's
turn to call are treated as changes of call, and Law 25 applies
LAW 32 DOUBLE OR REDOUBLE OUT OF ROTATION
A double or redouble
out of rotation may be accepted at the option of the opponent next in
rotation (see Law 29), except that an inadmissible double or redouble
may never be accepted (see Law 35A if the opponent next in rotation nevertheless
does call). If the illegal call is not accepted, it is cancelled, the
lead penalties of Law 26B may apply, and:
A. Made at Offender’s
Partner’s Turn to Call
If a double or redouble out of rotation has been made when it was the
offender’s partner’s turn to call, (penalty) the offender’s partner must
pass whenever it is his turn to call (see Law 23 when the pass damages
the non-offending side).
B. Made at RHO’s Turn to Call
If a double or redouble out of rotation has been made at offender’s RHO’s
turn to call, then:
1. RHO Passes
If offender’s RHO passes, offender must repeat his out- of-rotation double
or redouble and there is no penalty unless the double or redouble is inadmissible,
in which case Law 36 applies.
2. RHO Bids
If offender’s RHO bids, the offender may in turn make any legal call and
(penalty) offender’s partner must pass whenever it is his turn to call
(see Law 23 when the pass damages the non-offending side).
LAW 33 SIMULTANEOUS CALLS
A call made simultaneously with one made by the player whose turn it was to call is
deemed to be a subsequent call.
LAW 34 RETENTION OF RIGHT TO CALL
When a call has been followed by three passes, the auction does not end when one of
those passes was out of rotation, thereby depriving a player of his right
to call at that turn. The auction reverts to the player who missed his
turn. All subsequent passes are cancelled, and the auction proceeds as
though there had been no irregularity.
LAW 35 INADMISSIBLE CALL CONDONED
When, after any inadmissible call specified below, the offender’s LHO makes a call
before a penalty has been assessed, there is no penalty for the inadmissible
call (the lead penalties of Law 26 do not apply), and:
A. Double or Redouble
If the inadmissible call was a double or redouble not permitted by Law
19, that call and all subsequent calls are cancelled. The auction reverts
to the player whose turn it is to call, and proceeds as though there had
been no irregularity.
B. Action by Player Required to Pass
If the inadmissible call was a bid, double or redouble by a player required
by law to pass, that call and all subsequent legal calls stand, but, if
the offender was required to pass for the remainder of the auction, he
must still pass at subsequent turns.
C. Bid of More than Seven
If the inadmissible call was a bid of more than seven, that call and all
subsequent calls are cancelled; the offender must substitute a pass, and
the auction proceeds as though there had been no irregularity.
D. Call after Final Pass
If the inadmissible call was a call after the final pass of the auction,
that call and all subsequent calls are cancelled without penalty.
LAW 36 INADMISSIBLE DOUBLE OR REDOUBLE
Any double or
redouble not permitted by Law 19 is cancelled. The offender must substitute
a legal call, and (penalty) the offender’s partner must pass whenever
it is his turn to call (see Law 23 when the pass damages the non-offending
side); the lead penalties of Law 26 may apply. (If the call is out of
turn, see Law 32; if offender’s LHO calls, see Law 35A.)
LAW 37 ACTION VIOLATING OBLIGATION TO PASS
A bid, double or redouble by a player who is required by law to pass is cancelled, and
(penalty) each member of the offending side must pass whenever it becomes
his turn to call (see Law 23 when the pass damages the non-offending side).
The lead penalties of Law 26 may apply. (If offender’s LHO calls, see
Law 35B.)
LAW 38 BID OF MORE THAN SEVEN
No play or score at a contract of more than seven is ever permissible. A bid of more than
seven is cancelled, and (penalty) each member of the offending side must
pass whenever it becomes his turn to call (see Law 23 when the pass damages
the non-offending side). The lead penalties of Law 26 may apply. (If offender’s
LHO calls, see Law 35C.)
LAW 39 CALL AFTER FINAL PASS
A call made after the final pass of the auction is cancelled, and:
A. Pass or Call by Declaring Side
If it is a pass by a defender, or any call by the future declarer or dummy,
there is no penalty.
B. Other Action by Defender
If it is a bid, double or redouble by a defender, the lead penalties of
Law 26 may apply. (If offender’s LHO calls, see Law 35D.)
LAW 40 PARTNERSHIP UNDERSTANDINGS
A. Right to Choose Call or Play
A player may make any call or play (including an intentionally misleading
call — such as a psychic bid — or a call or play that departs from commonly
accepted, or previously announced, use of a convention), without prior
announcement, provided that such call or play is not based on a partnership
understanding.
B. Concealed Partnership Understandings Prohibited
A player may not make a call or play based on a special partnership understanding
unless an opposing pair may reasonably be expected to understand its meaning,
or unless his side discloses the use of such call or play in accordance
with the regulations of the sponsoring organisation.
C. Director’s Option
If the Director decides that a side has been damaged through its opponents’
failure to explain the full meaning of a call or play, he may award an
adjusted score.
D. Regulation of Conventions
The sponsoring organisation may regulate the use of bidding or play conventions.
Zonal organisations may, in addition, regulate partnership understandings
(even if not conventional) that permit the partnership’s initial actions
at the one level to be made with a hand of a King or more below average
strength. Zonal organisations may delegate this responsibility.
E. Convention Card
1. Right to Prescribe
The sponsoring organisation may prescribe a convention card on which partners
are to list their conventions and other agreements and may establish regulations
for its use, including a requirement that both members of a partnership
employ the same system (such a regulation must not restrict style and
judgement, only method).
2. Referring to Opponents’ Convention Card
During the auction and play, any player except dummy may refer to his
opponents’ convention card at his own turn to call or play, but not to
his own.
LAW 41 COMMENCEMENT OF PLAY
A. Face-down Opening Lead
After a bid, double or redouble has been followed by three passes in rotation,
the defender on presumed declarer’s left makes the opening lead face down.
The face-down lead may be withdrawn only upon instruction of the Director
after an irregularity (see Law 47E2); the withdrawn card must be returned
to the defender’s hand.
B. Review of Auction and Questions
Before the opening lead is faced, the leader’s partner and the presumed
declarer each may require a review of the auction, or request explanation
of an opponent’s call (see Law 20). Declarer or either defender may, at
his first turn to play a card, require a review of the auction; this right
expires when he plays a card. The defenders (subject to Law 16) and the
declarer retain the right to request explanations throughout the play
period, each at his own turn to play.
C. Opening Lead Faced
Following this question period, the opening lead is faced, the play period
begins, and dummy’s hand is spread. After it is too late to have previous
calls restated (see B, above), declarer or either defender, at his own
turn to play, is entitled to be informed as to what the contract is and
whether, but not by whom, it was doubled or redoubled.
D. Dummy’s Hand
After the opening lead is faced, dummy spreads his hand in front of him
on the table, face up, sorted into suits, the cards in order of rank,
in columns pointing lengthwise towards declarer, with trumps to dummy’s
right. Declarer plays both his hand and that of dummy.
LAW 42 DUMMY’S RIGHTS
A. Absolute Rights
1. Give Information
Dummy is entitled to give information, in the Director’s presence, as
to fact or law.
2. Keep Track of Tricks
He may keep count of tricks won and lost.
3. Play as Declarer’s Agent
He plays the cards of the dummy as declarer’s agent as directed (see Law
45F if dummy suggests a play).
B. Qualified Rights
Dummy may exercise other rights subject to the limitations provided in
Law 43.
1. Revoke Inquiries
Dummy may ask declarer (but not a defender) when he has failed to follow
suit to a trick whether he has a card of the suit led.
2. Attempt to Prevent Irregularity
He may try to prevent any irregularity by declarer.
3. Draw Attention to Irregularity
He may draw attention to any irregularity, but only after play of the
hand is concluded.
LAW 43 DUMMY’S LIMITATIONS
Except as specified in Law 42:
A. Limitations on Dummy
1. General Limitations
(a) Calling the Director
Unless attention has been drawn to an irregularity by another player,
dummy should not initiate a call for the Director during play.
(b) Calling Attention to Irregularity
Dummy may not call attention to an irregularity during play.
(c) Participate in or Comment on Play
Dummy must not participate in the play, nor may he communicate anything
about the play to declarer.
2. Limitations Carrying Specific Penalty
(a) Exchanging Hands
Dummy may not exchange hands with declarer.
(b) Leave Seat to Watch Declarer
Dummy may not leave his seat to watch declarer’s play of the hand.
(c) Look at Defender’s Hand
Dummy may not, on his own initiative, look at the face of a card in either
defender’s hand.
B. Penalties for Violation
1. General Penalties
Dummy is liable to penalty under Law 90 for any violation of the limitations
listed in A1 or A2 preceding.
2. Specific Penalties
If dummy, after violation of the limitations listed in A2 preceding:
(a) Warns Declarer on Lead
warns declarer not to lead from the wrong hand, (penalty) either defender
may choose the hand from which declarer shall lead.
(b) Asks Declarer about Possible Irregularity
is the first to ask declarer if a play from declarer’s hand constitutes
a revoke, declarer must substitute a correct card if his play was illegal,
and the penalty provisions of Law 64 apply as if the revoke had been established.
3. If dummy after violation of the limitations listed in A2 preceding
is the first to draw attention to a defender’s irregularity, no penalty
shall be imposed. If the defenders benefit directly through their irregularity,
the director shall award an adjusted score to both sides to restore equity.
LAW 44 SEQUENCE AND PROCEDURE OF PLAY
A. Lead to a
Trick
The player who leads to a trick may play any card in his hand (unless
he is subject to restriction after an irregularity committed by his side).
B. Subsequent Plays to a Trick
After the lead, each other player in turn plays a card, and the four cards
so played constitute a trick. (For the method of playing cards and arranging
tricks see Law 65.)
C. Requirement to Follow Suit
In playing to a trick, each player must follow suit if possible. This
obligation takes precedence over all other requirements of these Laws.
D. Inability to Follow Suit
If unable to follow suit, a player may play any card (unless he is subject
to restriction after an irregularity committed by his side).
E. Tricks Containing Trumps
A trick containing a trump is won by the player who has contributed to
it the highest trump.
F. Tricks Not Containing Trumps
A trick that does not contain a trump is won by the player who has contributed
to it the highest card of the suit led.
G. Lead to Tricks Subsequent to First Trick
The player who has won the trick leads to the next trick.
LAW 45 CARD PLAYED
A. Play of Card from a Hand
Each player except dummy plays a card by detaching it from his hand and
facing it on the table immediately before him.
B. Play of Card from Dummy
Declarer plays a card from dummy by naming the card, after which dummy
picks up the card and faces it on the table. In playing from dummy’s hand
declarer may, if necessary, pick up the desired card himself.
C. Compulsory Play of Card
1. Defender’s Card
A defender’s card held so that it is possible for his partner to see its
face must be played to the current trick (if the defender has already
made a legal play to the current trick, see Law 45E).
2. Declarer’s Card
Declarer must play a card from his hand held face up, touching or nearly
touching the table, or maintained in such a position as to indicate that
it has been played.
3. Dummy’s Card
A card in the dummy must be played if it has been deliberately touched
by declarer except for the purpose of arranging dummy’s cards, or of reaching
a card above or below the card or cards touched.
4. Named or Designated Card
(a) Play of Named Card
A card must be played if a player names or otherwise designates it as
the card he proposes to play.
(b) Correction of Inadvertent Designation
A player may, without penalty, change an inadvertent designation if he
does so without pause for thought; but if an opponent has, in turn, played
a card that was legal before the change in designation, that opponent
may withdraw without penalty the card so played and substitute another
(see Law 47E).
5. Penalty Card
A penalty card, major or minor, may have to be played, subject to Law
50.
D. Card Misplayed by Dummy
If dummy places in the played position a card that declarer did not name,
the card must be withdrawn if attention is drawn to it before each side
has played to the next trick, and a defender may withdraw (without penalty)
a card played after the error but before attention was drawn to it; if
declarer’s RHO changes his play, declarer may withdraw a card he had subsequently
played to that trick (see Law 16C2).
E. Fifth Card Played to Trick
1. By a Defender
A fifth card contributed to a trick by a defender becomes a penalty card,
subject to Law 50, unless the Director deems that it was led, in which
case Law 53 or 56 applies.
2. By Declarer
When declarer contributes a fifth card to a trick from his own hand or
dummy, there is no penalty unless the Director deems that it was led,
in which case Law 55 applies.
F. Dummy Indicates Card
After dummy’s hand is faced, dummy may not touch or indicate any card
(except for purpose of arrangement) without instruction from declarer.
If he does so, the Director should be summoned forthwith. The Director
shall rule whether dummy’s act did in fact constitute a suggestion to
declarer. When the Director judges that it did, he allows play to continue,
reserving his right to assign an adjusted score if the defenders were
damaged by the play so suggested.
G. Turning the Trick
No player should turn his card face down until all four players have played
to the trick.
LAW 46 INCOMPLETE OR ERRONEOUS CALL OF CARD FROM DUMMY
A. Proper Form
for Designating Dummy’s Card
When calling a card to be played from dummy, declarer should clearly state
both the suit and the rank of the desired card.
B. Incomplete or Erroneous Call
In case of an incomplete or erroneous call by declarer of the card to
be played from dummy, the following restrictions apply (except when declarer’s
different intention is incontrovertible):
1. Incomplete Designation of Rank
If declarer, in playing from dummy, calls "high", or words of
like import, he is deemed to have called the highest card: in fourth seat
he may be deemed to have called for the lowest winning card of the suit
indicated; if he directs dummy to win the trick, he is deemed to have
called the lowest winning card; if he calls "low", or words
of like import, he is deemed to have called the lowest.
2. Designates Suit but Not Rank
If declarer designates a suit but not a rank, he is deemed to have called
the lowest card of the suit indicated.
3. Designates Rank but Not Suit
If declarer designates a rank but not a suit:
(a) In Leading
Declarer is deemed to have continued the suit in which dummy won the preceding
trick, provided there is a card of the designated rank in that suit.
(b) All Other Cases
In all other cases, declarer must play a card from dummy of the designated
rank if he can legally do so; but if there are two or more such cards
that can be legally played, declarer must designate which is intended.
4. Designates Card Not in Dummy
If declarer calls a card that is not in dummy, the call is void and declarer
may designate any legal card.
5. No Suit or Rank Designated
If declarer indicates a play without designating either a suit or rank
(as by saying, "play anything’’, or words of like import), either
defender may designate the play from dummy.
LAW 47 RETRACTION OF CARD PLAYED
A. To Comply with Penalty
A card once played may be withdrawn to comply with a penalty (but a defender’s
withdrawn card may become a penalty card, see Law 49).
B. To Correct an Illegal Play
A played card may be withdrawn to correct an illegal or simultaneous play
(see Law 58 for simultaneous play; and, for defenders, see Law 49, penalty
card).
C. To Change an Inadvertent Designation
A played card may be withdrawn without penalty after a change of designation
as permitted by Law 45C4(b).
D. Following Opponent’s Change of Play
After an opponent’s change of play, a played card may be withdrawn without
penalty (but see 62C2) to substitute another card for the one played.
E. Change of Play Based on Misinformation
1. Lead Out of Turn
A lead out of turn may be retracted without penalty if the leader was
mistakenly informed by an opponent that it was his turn to lead (LHO should
not accept the lead).
2. Retraction of Play
(a) No One Has Subsequently Played
A player may retract the card he has played because of a mistaken explanation
of an opponent’s call or play and before a corrected explanation, but
only if no card was subsequently played to that trick. An opening lead
may not be retracted after dummy has faced any card.
(b) One or More Subsequent Plays Made
When it is too late to correct a play, under (a) preceding, Law 40C applies.
F. Illegal Retraction
Except as provided in A through E preceding, a card once played may not
be withdrawn.
LAW 48 EXPOSURE OF DECLARER’S CARDS
A. Declarer Exposes a Card
Declarer is not subject to penalty for exposing a card, and no card of
declarer’s or dummy’s hand ever becomes a penalty card. Declarer is not
required to play any card dropped accidentally.
B. Declarer Faces Cards
1. After Opening Lead Out of Turn
When declarer faces his cards after an opening lead out of turn, Law 54
applies.
2. At Any Other Time
When declarer faces his cards at any time other than immediately after
an opening lead out of turn, he may be deemed to have made a claim or
concession of tricks, and Law 68 then applies.
LAW 49 EXPOSURE OF A DEFENDER’S CARDS
Except in the normal course of play or application of law, when a defender’s card is
in a position in which his partner could possibly see its face, or when
a defender names a card as being in his hand, (penalty) each such card
becomes a penalty card (Law 50); but see the footnote to Law 68 when a
defender has made a statement concerning an uncompleted trick currently
in progress.
LAW 50 DISPOSITION OF PENALTY CARD
A card prematurely exposed (but not led, see Law 57) by a defender is
a penalty card unless the Director designates otherwise. The Director
shall award an adjusted score, in lieu of the rectifications below, when
he deems that Law 72B1 applies.
A. Penalty Card Remains Exposed
A penalty card must be left face up on the table immediately before the
player to whom it belongs, until an alternate penalty has been selected.
B. Major or Minor Penalty Card?
A single card below the rank of an honour and exposed inadvertently (as
in playing two cards to a trick, or in dropping a card accidentally) becomes
a minor penalty card. Any card of honour rank, or any card exposed through
deliberate play (as in leading out of turn, or in revoking and then correcting),
becomes a major penalty card; when one defender has two or more penalty
cards, all such cards become major penalty cards.
C. Disposition of Minor Penalty Card
When a defender has a minor penalty card, he may not play any other card
of the same suit below the rank of an honour until he has first played
the penalty card (however, he is entitled to play an honour card instead).
Offender’s partner is not subject to lead penalty, but information gained
through seeing the penalty card is extraneous, unauthorised (see Law 16A).
D. Disposition of Major Penalty Card
When a defender has a major penalty card, both the offender and his partner
may be subject to restriction, the offender whenever he is to play, the
partner when he is to lead.
1. Offender to Play
A major penalty card must be played at the first legal opportunity, whether
in leading, following suit, discarding or trumping (the requirement that
offender must play the card is authorised information for his partner;
however, other information arising from facing of the penalty card is
unauthorised for partner). If a defender has two or more penalty cards
that can legally be played, declarer designates which is to be played.
The obligation to follow suit, or to comply with a lead or play penalty,
takes precedence over the obligation to play a major penalty card, but
the penalty card must still be left face up on the table and played at
the next legal opportunity.
2. Offender’s Partner to Lead
When a defender has the lead while his partner has a major penalty card,
he may not lead until declarer has stated which of the options below is
selected (if the defender leads prematurely, he is subject to penalty
under Law 49). Declarer may choose:
(a) Require or Forbid Lead of Suit
to require the defender to lead the suit of the penalty card, or to prohibit
him from leading that suit for as long as he retains the lead (for two
or more penalty cards, see Law 51); if declarer exercises this option,
the card is no longer a penalty card and is picked up.
(b) No Lead Restriction
not to require or prohibit a lead, in which case the defender may lead
any card; the penalty card remains a penalty card.
LAW 51 TWO OR MORE PENALTY CARDS
A. Offender to Play
If a defender has two or more penalty cards that can legally be played,
declarer designates which is to be played at that turn.
B. Offender’s Partner to Lead
1. Penalty Cards in Same Suit
(a) Declarer Requires Lead of That Suit
When a defender has two or more penalty cards in one suit, and declarer
requires the defender’s partner to lead that suit, the cards of that suit
are no longer penalty cards and are picked up; the defender may make any
legal play to the trick.
(b) Declarer Prohibits Lead of That Suit
If the declarer prohibits the lead of that suit, the defender picks up
every penalty card in that suit and may make any legal play to the trick.
2. Penalty Cards in More Than One Suit
(a) Declarer Requires Lead of a Specified Suit
When a defender has penalty cards in more than one suit, declarer may
require the defender’s partner to lead any suit in which the defender
has a penalty card (but B1(a) preceding then applies).
(b) Declarer Prohibits Lead of Specified Suits
When a defender has penalty cards in more than one suit, declarer may
prohibit the defender’s partner from leading one or more of such suits;
but the defender then picks up every penalty card in every suit prohibited
by declarer and makes any legal play to the trick.
LAW 52 FAILURE TO LEAD OR PLAY A PENALTY CARD
A. Defender Fails to Play Penalty Card
When a defender fails to lead or play a penalty card as required by Law
50, he may not, on his own initiative, withdraw any other card he has
played.
B. Defender Plays Another Card
1. Play of Card Accepted
(a) Declarer May Accept Play
If a defender has led or played another card when required by law to play
a penalty card, declarer may accept such lead or play.
(b) Declarer Must Accept Play
Declarer must accept such lead or play if he has thereafter played from
his own hand or dummy.
(c) Penalty Card Remains Penalty Card
If the played card is accepted under either (a) or (b) preceding, the
unplayed penalty card remains a penalty card.
2. Play of Card Rejected
Declarer may require the defender to substitute the penalty card for the
card illegally played or led. Every card illegally led or played by the
defender in the course of committing the irregularity becomes a major
penalty card.
LAW 53 LEAD OUT OF TURN ACCEPTED
A. Lead Out of
Turn Treated as Correct Lead
Any lead faced out of turn may be treated as a correct lead. It becomes
a correct lead if declarer or either defender, as the case may be, accepts
it (by making a statement to that effect), or if the player next in rotation
plays to the irregular lead, but see Law 47E1. (If no acceptance statement
or play is made, the Director will require that the lead be made from
the correct hand.)
B. Wrong Defender Plays Card to Declarer’s Irregular Lead
If the defender at the right of the hand from which the lead out of turn
was made plays to the irregular lead, the lead stands and Law 57 applies.
C. Proper Lead Made Subsequent to Irregular Lead
If it was properly the turn to lead of an opponent of the player who led
out of turn, that opponent may make his proper lead to the trick of the
infraction without his card being deemed played to the irregular lead.
When this occurs, the proper lead stands, and all cards played in error
to this trick may be withdrawn without penalty. (Law 16C2 applies to a
defender.)
LAW 54 FACED OPENING LEAD OUT OF TURN
When an opening lead is faced out of turn, and offender’s partner leads face down, the
director requires the face down lead to be retracted, and the following
sections apply.
A. Declarer Spreads
His Hand
After a faced opening lead out of turn, declarer may spread his hand;
he becomes dummy, and dummy becomes declarer. If declarer begins to spread
his hand, and in doing so exposes one or more cards, he must spread his
entire hand.
B. Declarer Accepts Lead
When a defender faces the opening lead out of turn declarer may accept
the irregular lead as provided in Law 53, and dummy is spread in accordance
with Law 41.
1. Declarer Plays Second Card
The second card to the trick is played from declarer’s hand.
2. Dummy Has Played Second Card
If declarer plays the second card to the trick from dummy, dummy’s card
may not be withdrawn except to correct a revoke.
C. Declarer Must Accept Lead
If declarer could have seen any of dummy’s cards (except cards that dummy
may have exposed during the auction and that were subject to Law 24),
he must accept the lead.
D. Declarer Refuses Opening Lead
When declarer requires the defender to retract his faced opening lead
out of turn, Law 56 applies.
LAW 55 DECLARER’S LEAD OUT OF TURN
A. Declarer’s Lead Accepted
If declarer has led out of turn from his or dummy’s hand, either defender
may accept the lead as provided in Law 53, or require its retraction (after
misinformation, see Law 47E1).
B. Declarer Required to Retract Lead
When a defender faces the opening lead out of turn declarer may accept
the irregular lead as provided in Law 53, and dummy is spread in accordance
with Law 41.
1. Defender’s Turn to Lead
If declarer has led from his or dummy’s hand when it was a defender’s
turn to lead, and if either defender requires him to retract such lead,
declarer restores the card led in error to the proper hand without penalty.
2. Lead in Declarer’s Hand or Dummy’s
If declarer has led from the wrong hand when it was his turn to lead from
his hand or dummy’s, and if either defender requires him to retract the
lead, he withdraws the card led in error. He must lead from the correct
hand.
C. Declarer Might Obtain Information
When declarer adopts a line of play that could have been based on information
obtained through the infraction, the Director may award an adjusted score.
LAW 56 DEFENDER’S LEAD OUT OF TURN
When declarer requires a defender to retract his faced lead out of turn, the card illegally
led becomes a major penalty card, and Law 50D applies.
LAW 57 PREMATURE LEAD OR PLAY BY DEFENDER
A. Premature Play or Lead to Next Trick
When a defender leads to the next trick before his partner has played
to the current trick, or plays out of turn before his partner has played,
(penalty) the card so led or played becomes a penalty card, and declarer
selects one of the following options. He may:
1. Highest Card
require offender’s partner to play the highest card he holds of the suit
led, or
2. Lowest Card
require offender’s partner to play the lowest card he holds of the suit
led, or
3. Card of Another Suit
forbid offender’s partner to play a card of another suit specified by
declarer.
B. Offender’s Partner Cannot Comply with Penalty
When offender’s partner is unable to comply with the penalty selected
by declarer, he may play any card, as provided in Law 59.
C. Declarer Has Played from Both Hands before Irregularity
A defender is not subject to penalty for playing before his partner if
declarer has played from both hands, or if dummy has played a card or
has illegally suggested that it be played. A singleton in dummy, or one
of cards adjacent in rank of the same suit, is not considered to be automatically
played.
LAW 58 SIMULTANEOUS LEADS OR PLAYS
A. Simultaneous Plays by Two Players
A lead or play made simultaneously with another player’s legal lead or
play is deemed to be subsequent to it.
B. Simultaneous Cards from One Hand
If a player leads or plays two or more cards simultaneously:
1. One Card Visible
If only one card is visible, that card is played; all other cards are
picked up without penalty.
2. More Cards Visible
If more than one card is visible, the player designates the card he proposes
to play; when he is a defender, each other card exposed becomes a penalty
card (see Law 50).
3. After Visible Card Withdrawn
After a player withdraws a visible card, an opponent who subsequently
played to that card may withdraw his play and substitute another without
penalty (see Law 16C).
4. Error Not Discovered
If the simultaneous play remains undiscovered until both sides have played
to the next trick, Law 67 applies.
LAW 59 INABILITY TO LEAD OR PLAY AS REQUIRED
A player may play any otherwise legal card if he is unable to lead or play as required
to comply with a penalty, whether because he holds no card of the required
suit, or because he has only cards of a suit he is prohibited from leading,
or because he is obliged to follow suit.
LAW 60 PLAY AFTER AN ILLEGAL PLAY
A. Play of Card
after Irregularity
1. Forfeiture of Right to Penalise
A play by a member of the non-offending side after his RHO has led or
played out of turn or prematurely, and before a penalty has been assessed,
forfeits the right to penalise that offence.
2. Irregularity Legalised
Once the right to penalise has been forfeited, the illegal play is treated
as though it were in turn (but Law 53C applies to the player whose turn
it was).
3. Other Penalty Obligations Remain
If the offending side has a previous obligation to play a penalty card,
or to comply with a lead or play penalty, the obligation remains at future
turns.
B. Defender Plays before Required Lead by Declarer
When a defender plays a card after declarer has been required to retract
his lead out of turn from either hand, but before declarer has led from
the correct hand, the defender’s card becomes a penalty card (Law 50).
C. Play by Offending Side before Assessment of Penalty
A play by a member of the offending side before a penalty has been assessed
does not affect the rights of the opponents, and may itself be subject
to penalty.
LAW 61 FAILURE TO FOLLOW SUIT INQUIRIES CONCERNING A REVOKE
A. Definition of Revoke
Failure to follow suit in accordance with Law 44 or failure to lead or
play, when able, a card or suit required by law or specified by an opponent
in accordance with an agreed penalty, constitutes a revoke (but see Law
59 when unable to comply).
B. Right to Inquire about a Possible Revoke
Declarer may ask a defender who has failed to follow suit whether he has
a card of the suit led (but a claim of revoke does not automatically warrant
inspection of quitted tricks — see Law 66C). Dummy may ask declarer (but
see Law 43B2(b)). Defenders may ask declarer but, unless the Zonal organisation
so authorises, not one another.
LAW 62 CORRECTION OF A REVOKE
A. Revoke Must Be Corrected
A player must correct his revoke if he becomes aware of the irregularity
before it becomes established.
B. Correcting a Revoke
To correct a revoke, the offender withdraws the card he played in revoking
and follows suit with any card.
1. Defender’s Card
A card so withdrawn becomes a penalty card (Law 50) if it was played from
a defender’s unfaced hand.
2. Declarer’s or Dummy’s Card, Defender’s Faced Card
The card may be replaced without penalty if it was played from declarer’s
or dummy’s hand, or if it was a defender’s faced card.
C. Subsequent Cards Played to Trick
1. By Non-offending Side
Each member of the non-offending side may, without penalty, withdraw any
card he may have played after the revoke but before attention was drawn
to it (see Law 16C).
2. By Partner of Offender
After a non-offender so withdraws a card, the hand of the offending side
next in rotation may withdraw its played card, which becomes a penalty
card if the player is a defender (see Law 16C).
D. Revoke on Trick Twelve
1. Must Be Corrected
On the twelfth trick, a revoke, even if established, must be corrected
if discovered before all four hands have been returned to the board.
2. Offender’s Partner Had Not Played to Trick Twelve
If a revoke by a defender occurred before it was the turn of his partner
to play to the twelfth trick, and if offender’s partner has cards of two
suits, (penalty) offender’s partner may not choose the play that could
possibly have been suggested by seeing the revoke card.
LAW 63 ESTABLISHMENT OF A REVOKE
A. Revoke Becomes Established
A revoke becomes established:
1. Offending Side Leads or Plays to the Next Trick
when the offender or his partner leads or plays to the following trick
(any such play, legal or illegal, establishes the revoke).
2. A Member of Offending Side Indicates a Lead or Play
when the offender or his partner names or otherwise designates a card
to be played to the following trick.
3. Member of Offending Side Makes a Claim or Concession
when a member of the offending side makes or acquiesces in a claim or
concession of tricks orally or by facing his hand (or in any other fashion).
B. Attention Is Illegally Drawn
When there has been a violation of Law 61B, the revoker must substitute
a legal card and the penalty provisions of Law 64 apply as if the revoke
had been established.
C. Revoke May Not Be Corrected
Once a revoke is established, it may no longer be corrected (except as
provided in Law 62D for a revoke on the twelfth trick), and the trick
on which the revoke occurred stands as played (but see Law 43B2(b)).
LAW 64 PROCEDURE AFTER ESTABLISHMENT OF A REVOKE
A. Penalty Assessed
When a revoke is established:
1. Offending Player Won Revoke Trick
and the trick on which the revoke occurred was won by the offending player,
(penalty) after play ceases, the trick on which the revoke occurred plus
one of any subsequent tricks won by the offending side are transferred
to the non-offending side.
2. Offending Player Did Not Win Revoke Trick
and the trick on which the revoke occurred was not won by the offending
player, then, if the offending side won that or any subsequent trick,
(penalty) after play ceases, one trick is transferred to the non-offending
side; also, if an additional trick was subsequently won by the offending
player with a card that he could legally have played to the revoke trick,
one such trick is transferred to the non-offending side.
B. No Penalty Assessed
The penalty for an established revoke does not apply:
1. Offending Side Fails to Win Revoke Trick or Subsequent Trick
if the offending side did not win either the revoke trick or any subsequent
trick.
2. Second Revoke in Same Suit by Offender
to a subsequent revoke in the same suit by the same player.
3. Revoke by Failure to Play a Faced Card
if the revoke was made in failing to play any card faced on the table
or belonging to a hand faced on the table, including a card from dummy’s
hand.
4. After Non-offending Side Calls to Next Deal
if attention was first drawn to the revoke after a member of the non-offending
side has made a call on the subsequent deal.
5. After Round Has Ended
if attention was first drawn to the revoke after the round has ended.
6. Revoke on Twelfth Trick
to a revoke on the twelfth trick.
C. Director Responsible for Equity
When, after any established revoke, including those not subject to penalty,
the Director deems that the non-offending side is insufficiently compensated
by this Law for the damage caused, he shall assign an adjusted score.
LAW 65 ARRANGEMENT OF TRICKS
A. Completed Trick
When four cards have been played to a trick, each player turns his own
card face down near him on the table.
B. Keeping Track of the Ownership of Tricks
1. Tricks Won
If the player’s side has won the trick, the card is pointed lengthwise
toward his partner.
2. Tricks Lost
If the opponents have won the trick, the card is pointed lengthwise toward
the opponents.
C. Orderliness
Each player arranges his own cards in an orderly overlapping row in the
sequence played, so as to permit review of the play after its completion,
if necessary to determine the number of tricks won by each side or the
order in which the cards were played.
D. Agreement on Results of Play
A player should not disturb the order of his played cards until agreement
has been reached on the number of tricks won. A player who fails to comply
with the provisions of this Law jeopardises his right to claim ownership
of doubtful tricks or to claim a revoke.
LAW 66 INSPECTION OF TRICKS
A. Current Trick
So long as his side has not led or played to the next trick, declarer
or either defender may, until he has turned his own card face down on
the table, require that all cards just played to the trick be faced.
B. Own Last Card
Until a card is led to the next trick, declarer or either defender may
inspect, but not expose, his own last card played.
C. Quitted Tricks
Thereafter, until play ceases, quitted tricks may not be inspected (except
at the Director’s specific instruction; for example, to verify a claim
of a revoke).
D. After the Conclusion of Play
After play ceases, the played and unplayed cards may be inspected to settle
a claim of a revoke, or of the number of tricks won or lost; but no player
should handle cards other than his own. If, after such a claim has been
made, a player mixes his cards in such a manner that the Director can
no longer ascertain the facts, the Director shall rule in favour of the
other side.
LAW 67 DEFECTIVE TRICK
A. Before Both Sides Play to Next Trick
When a player has omitted to play to a trick, or has played too many cards
to a trick, the error must be rectified if attention is drawn to the irregularity
before a player on each side has played to the following trick.
1. Player Failed to Play Card
To rectify omission to play to a trick, the offender supplies a card he
can legally play.
2. Player Contributed Too Many Cards
To rectify the play of too many cards to a trick, Law 45E (Fifth Card
Played to a Trick) or Law 58B (Simultaneous Cards from One Hand) shall
be applied.
B. After Both Sides Play to Next Trick
After both sides have played to the following trick, when attention is
drawn to a defective trick or when the Director determines that there
had been a defective trick (from the fact that one player has too few
or too many cards in his hand, and a correspondingly incorrect number
of played cards), the Director establishes which trick was defective.
To rectify the number of cards, the Director should proceed as follows.
1. Offender Has Too Many Cards
When the offender has failed to play a card to the defective trick, the
Director shall require him forthwith to face a card and to place it appropriately
among his played cards (this card does not affect ownership of the trick);
if
(a) Offender Has Card of Suit Led
the offender has a card of the suit led to the defective trick, he must
choose such a card to place among his played cards, and there is no penalty.
(b) Offender Has No Card of Suit Led
the offender has no card of the suit led to the defective trick, he chooses
any card to place among his played cards, and (penalty) he is deemed to
have revoked on the defective trick -— he may be subject to the one-trick
penalty of Law 64.
2. Offender Has Too Few Cards
When the offender has played more than one card to the defective trick,
the Director inspects the played cards and requires the offender to restore
to his hand all extra cards, leaving among the played cards the one faced
in playing to the defective trick (if the Director is unable to determine
which card was faced, the offender leaves the highest of the cards that
he could legally have played to the trick). A restored card is deemed
to have belonged continuously to the offender’s hand, and a failure to
have played it to an earlier trick may constitute a revoke.
LAW 68 CLAIM OR CONCESSION OF TRICKS
For a statement or action to constitute a claim or concession of tricks under these Laws,
it must refer to tricks other than one currently in progress. If it does
refer to subsequent tricks:
A. Claim Defined
Any statement to the effect that a contestant will win a specific number
of tricks is a claim of those tricks. A contestant also claims when he
suggests that play be curtailed, or when he shows his cards (unless he
demonstrably did not intend to claim).
B. Concession Defined
Any statement to the effect that a contestant will lose a specific number
of tricks is a concession of those tricks; a claim of some number of tricks
is a concession of the remainder, if any. A player concedes all the remaining
tricks when he abandons his hand. Regardless of the foregoing, if a defender
attempts to concede one or more tricks and his partner immediately objects,
no concession has occurred; Law 16, Unauthorised Information, may apply,
so the Director should be summoned forthwith.
C. Clarification Required for Claim
A claim should be accompanied at once by a statement of clarification
as to the order in which cards will be played, the line of play or defence
through which the claimer proposes to win the tricks claimed.
D. Play Ceases
After any claim or concession, play ceases. All play subsequent to a claim
or concession shall be voided by the Director. If the claim or concession
is acquiesced in, Law 69 applies; if it is disputed by any player (dummy
included), the Director must be summoned immediately to apply Law 70 or
Law 71, and no action may be taken pending the Director’s arrival.
LAW 69 ACQUIESCENCE IN CLAIM OR CONCESSION
A. When Acquiescence Occurs
Acquiescence occurs when a contestant assents to an opponent’s claim or
concession, and raises no objection to it before his side makes a call
on a subsequent board, or before the round ends. The board is scored as
though the tricks claimed or conceded had been won or lost in play.
B. Acquiescence in Claim Withdrawn
Within the correction period established in accordance with Law 79C, a
contestant may withdraw acquiescence in an opponent’s claim, but only
if he has acquiesced in the loss of a trick his side has actually won,
or in the loss of trick that could not, in the Director’s judgement, be
lost by any normal play of the remaining cards. The board is rescored
with such trick awarded to the acquiescing side.
LAW 70 CONTESTED CLAIMS
A. General Objective
In ruling on a contested claim, the Director adjudicates the result of
the board as equitably as possible to both sides, but any doubtful points
shall be resolved against the claimer. The Director proceeds as follows.
B. Clarification Statement Repeated
1. Require Claimer to Repeat Statement
The Director requires claimer to repeat the clarification statement he
made at the time of his claim.
2. Require All Hands to Be Faced
Next, the Director requires all players to put their remaining cards face
up on the table.
3. Hear Objections
The Director then hears the opponents’ objections to the claim.
C. There Is an Outstanding Trump
When a trump remains in one of the opponents’ hands, the Director shall
award a trick or tricks to the opponents if:
1. Failed to Mention Trump
claimer made no statement about that trump, and
2. Was Probably Unaware of Trump
it is at all likely that claimer at the time of his claim was unaware
that a trump remained in an opponent’s hand, and
3. Could Lose a Trick to the Trump
a trick could be lost to that trump by any normal play.
D. Claimer Proposes New Line of Play
The Director shall not accept from claimer any successful line of play
not embraced in the original clarification statement if there is an alternative
normal line of play that would be less successful.
E. Unstated Line of Play (Finesse or Drop)
The Director shall not accept from claimer any unstated line of play the
success of which depends upon finding one opponent rather than the other
with a particular card, unless an opponent failed to follow to the suit
of that card before the claim was made, or would subsequently fail to
follow to that suit on any normal line of play; or unless failure to adopt
this line of play would be irrational.
LAW 71 CONCESSION CANCELLED
A concession must stand, once made, except that within the correction period established
in accordance with Law 79C, the Director shall cancel a concession:
A. Trick CannotBe Lost
if a player has conceded a trick his side had, in fact, won, or a trick
his side could not have lost by any legal play of the remaining cards.
B. Contract Already Fulfilled or Defeated
if declarer has conceded defeat of a contract he had already fulfilled,
or a defender has conceded fulfilment of a contract his side had already
defeated.
C. Implausible Concession
if a player has conceded a trick that cannot be lost by any normal play
of the remaining cards. Until the conceding side makes a call on a subsequent
board, or until the round ends, the Director shall cancel the concession
of a trick that could not have been lost by any normal play of the remaining
cards.
LAW 72 GENERAL PRINCIPLES
A. Observance of Laws
1. General Obligation on Contestants
Duplicate bridge tournaments should be played in strict accordance with
the Laws.
2. Scoring of Tricks Won
A player must not knowingly accept either the score for a trick that his
side did not win or the concession of a trick that his opponents could
not lose.
3. Waiving of Penalties
In duplicate tournaments a player may not, on his own initiative, waive
a penalty for an opponent’s infraction, even if he feels that he has not
been damaged (but he may ask the Director to do so — see Law 81C8).
4. Non-offenders’ Exercise of Legal Options
When these Laws provide the innocent side with an option after an irregularity
committed by an opponent, it is appropriate to select that action most
advantageous.
5. Offenders’ Options
Subject to Law 16C2, after the offending side has paid the prescribed
penalty for an inadvertent infraction, it is appropriate for the offenders
to make any call or play advantageous to their side, even though they
thereby appear to profit through their own infraction.
6. Responsibility for Enforcement of Laws
The responsibility for penalising irregularities and redressing damage
rests solely upon the Director and these Laws, not upon the players themselves.
B. Infraction of Law
1. Adjusted Score
Whenever the Director deems that an offender could have known at the time
of his irregularity that the irregularity would be likely to damage the
non-offending side, he shall require the auction and play to continue,
afterwards awarding an adjusted score if he considers that the offending
side gained an advantage through the irregularity.
2. Intentional
A player must not infringe a law intentionally, even if there is a prescribed
penalty he is willing to pay.
3. Inadvertent Infraction
There is no obligation to draw attention to an inadvertent infraction
of law committed by one’s own side (but see footnote to Law 75 for a mistaken
explanation).
4. Concealing an Infraction
A player may not attempt to conceal an inadvertent infraction, as by committing
a second revoke, concealing a card involved in a revoke or mixing the
cards prematurely.
LAW 73 COMMUNICATION
A. Proper Communication between Partners
1. How Effected
Communication between partners during the auction and play shall be effected
only by means of the calls and plays themselves.
2. Correct Manner for Calls and Plays
Calls and plays should be made without special emphasis, mannerism or
inflection, and without undue hesitation or haste (however, sponsoring
organisations may require mandatory pauses, as on the first round of auction,
or after a skip-bid warning, or on the first trick).
B. Inappropriate Communication Between Partners
1. Gratuitous Information
Partners shall not communicate through the manner in which calls or plays
are made, through extraneous remarks or gestures, through questions asked
or not asked of the opponents or through alerts and explanations given
or not given to them.
2. Prearranged Communication
The gravest possible offence is for a partnership to exchange information
through prearranged methods of communication other than those sanctioned
by these Laws. A guilty partnership risks expulsion.
C. Player Receives Unauthorised Information from Partner
When a player has available to him unauthorised information from his partner,
as from a remark, question, explanation, gesture, mannerism, special emphasis,
inflection, haste or hesitation, he must carefully avoid taking any advantage
that might accrue to his side.
D. Variations in Tempo or Manner
1. Inadvertent Variations
It is desirable, though not always required, for players to maintain steady
tempo and unvarying manner. However, players should be particularly careful
in positions in which variations may work to the benefit of their side.
Otherwise, inadvertently to vary the tempo or manner in which a call or
play is made does not in itself constitute a violation of propriety, but
inferences from such variation may appropriately be drawn only by an opponent,
and at his own risk.
2. Intentional Variations
A player may not attempt to mislead an opponent by means of remark or
gesture, through the haste or hesitancy of a call or play (as in hesitating
before playing a singleton), or by the manner in which the call or play
is made.
E. Deception
A player may appropriately attempt to deceive an opponent through a call
or play (so long as the deception is not protected by concealed partnership
understanding or experience). It is entirely appropriate to avoid giving
information to the opponents by making all calls and plays in unvarying
tempo and manner.
F. Violation of Proprieties
When a violation of the Proprieties described in this law results in damage
to an innocent opponent,
1. Player Acts on Unauthorised Information
if the Director determines that a player chose from among logical alternative
actions one that could demonstrably have been suggested over another by
his partner’s remark, manner, tempo, or the like, he shall award an adjusted
score (see Law 16).
2. Player Injured by Illegal Deception
if the Director determines that an innocent player has drawn a false inference
from a remark, manner, tempo, or the like, of an opponent who has no demonstrable
bridge reason for the action, and who could have known, at the time of
the action, that the action could work to his benefit, the Director shall
award an adjusted score (see Law 12C),
LAW 74 CONDUCT AND ETIQUETTE
A. Proper Attitude
1. Courtesy
A player should maintain a courteous attitude at all times.
2. Etiquette of Word and Action
A player should carefully avoid any remark or action that might cause
annoyance or embarrassment to another player or might interfere with the
enjoyment of the game.
3. Conformity to Correct Procedure
Every player should follow uniform and correct procedure in calling and
playing.
B. Etiquette
As a matter of courtesy a player should refrain from:
1. paying insufficient attention to the game.
2. making gratuitous comments during the auction and play.
3. detaching a card before it is his turn to play.
4. prolonging play unnecessarily (as in playing on although he knows that
all the tricks are surely his) for the purpose of disconcerting an opponent.
5. summoning and addressing the Director in a manner discourteous to him
or to other contestants.
C. The following are considered violations of procedure:
1. using different designations for the same call.
2. indicating approval or disapproval of a call or play.
3. indicating the expectation or intention of winning or losing a trick
that has not been completed.
4. commenting or acting during the auction or play so as to call attention
to a significant occurrence, or to the number of tricks still required
for success.
5. looking intently at any other player during the auction and play, or
at another player’s hand as for the purpose of seeing his cards or of
observing the place from which he draws a card (but it is appropriate
to act on information acquired by inadvertently seeing an opponent’s card).
6. showing an obvious lack of further interest in a deal (as by folding
one’s cards).
7. varying the normal tempo of bidding or play for the purpose of disconcerting
an opponent.
8. leaving the table needlessly before the round is called.
LAW 75 PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENTS
A. Special Partnership Agreements
Special partnership agreements, whether explicit or implicit, must be
fully and freely available to the opponents (see Law 40). Information
conveyed to partner through such agreements must arise from the calls,
plays and conditions of the current deal.
B. Violations of Partnership Agreements
A player may violate an announced partnership agreement, so long as his
partner is unaware of the violation (but habitual violations within a
partnership may create implicit agreements, which must be disclosed).
No player has the obligation to disclose to the opponents that he has
violated an announced agreement and if the opponents are subsequently
damaged, as through drawing a false inference from such violation, they
are not entitled to redress.
C. Answering Questions on Partnership Agreements
When explaining the significance of partner’s call or play in reply to
an opponent’s inquiry (see Law 20), a player shall disclose all special
information conveyed to him through partnership agreement or partnership
experience, but he need not disclose inferences drawn from his general
knowledge and experience.
D. Correcting Errors in Explanation
1. Explainer Notices Own Error
If a player subsequently realises that his own explanation was erroneous
or incomplete, he must immediately call the Director (who will apply Law
21 or Law 40C).
2. Error Noticed by Explainer’s Partner
A player whose partner has given a mistaken explanation may not correct
the error before the final pass, nor may he indicate in any manner that
a mistake has been made; a defender may not correct the error until play
ends. After calling the Director at the earliest legal opportunity (after
the final pass, if he is to be declarer or dummy, after play ends, if
he is to be a defender), the player must inform the opponents that, in
his opinion, his partner’s explanation was erroneous.
LAW 76 SPECTATORS
A. Conduct During Bidding or Play
1. One Hand Only
A spectator should not look at the hand of more than one player, except
by permission.
2. Personal Reaction
A spectator must not display any reaction to the bidding or play while
a deal is in progress.
3. Mannerisms or Remarks
During the round, a spectator must refrain from mannerisms or remarks
of any kind (including conversation with a player).
4. Consideration for Players
A spectator must not in any way disturb a player.
B. Spectator Participation
A spectator may not call attention to any irregularity or mistake, nor
speak on any question of fact or law except by request of the Director.
LAW 77 DUPLICATE BRIDGE SCORING TABLE
Trick Score
Scored by declarer's side if the contract is fulfilled.<
If trumps are:
clubs
diamonds hearts spades
For each trick bid and made
Undoubled 20
20 30 30
Doubled 40
40
60 60
Redoubled 80
80 120
120
At a no trump contract Undoubled Doubled Redoubled
For first odd trick bid and made 40 80 160
For each additional odd trick 30 60 120
A trick score of 100 points or more, made on one board, is GAME. A trick score of less
than 100 points is a PARTSCORE.
Premium Score
Scored by declarer's side
SLAMS
For making a slam Not Vulnerable Vulnerable
Small Slam (12 tricks) bid and made 500 750
Grand Slam (all 13 tricks) bid and made 1000 1500
OVERTRICKS
For each overtrick Not Vulnerable Vulnerable
(Tricks made in excess of contract)
LAW 78 METHODS OF SCORING
A. Matchpoint Scoring
In matchpoint scoring each contestant is awarded, for scores made by different
contestants who have played the same board and whose scores are compared
with his, two scoring units (matchpoints or half matchpoints) for each
score inferior to his, one scoring unit for each score equal to his, and
zero scoring units for each score superior to his.
B. International Matchpoint Scoring
In international matchpoint scoring, on each board the total point difference
between the two scores compared is converted into IMPs according to the
following scale.
Difference in points IMPs Difference in points IMPs Difference in points IMPs
20-40 1 370-420 9
1500-1740 17
50-80 2 430-490 10 1750-1990
18
90-120 3 500-590 11 2000-2240
19
130-160 4 600-740 12 2250-2490
20
170-210 5 750-890 13 2500-2990
21
220-260 6 900-1090 14 3000-3490 22
270-310 7 1100-1290 15 3500-3990 23
320-360 8 1300-1490 16 4000 & upward 24
C. Total Point
Scoring
In total point scoring, the net total point score of all boards played
is the score for each contestant.
D. Special Scoring Methods
Special scoring methods are permissible, if approved by the sponsoring
organisation. In advance of any contest the sponsoring organisation should
publish conditions of contest detailing conditions of entry, methods of
scoring, determination of winners, breaking of ties, and the like.
LAW 79 TRICKS WON
A. Agreement on Tricks Won
The number of tricks won shall be agreed upon before all four hands have
been returned to the board.
B. Disagreement on Tricks Won
If a subsequent disagreement arises, the Director must be called. No increase
in score need be granted unless the Director is called before the round
ends as specified in Law 8 (but Law 69 or Law 71 may supersede this provision
when there has been an acquiescence or a concession).
C. Error in Score
An error in computing or tabulating the agreed-upon score, whether made
by a player or scorer, may be corrected until the expiration of the period
specified by the sponsoring organisation. Unless the sponsoring organisation
specifies a later time, this correction period expires 30 minutes after
the official score has been made available for inspection.
LAW 80 SPONSORING ORGANISATION
A sponsoring organisation conducting an event under these Laws has the following duties
and powers:
A. Tournament Director
to appoint the tournament Director. If there is no tournament Director,
the players should designate one of their own number to perform his functions.
B. Advance Arrangements
to make advance arrangements for the tournament, including playing quarters,
accommodations and equipment.
C. Session Times
to establish the date and time of each session.
D. Conditions of Entry
to establish the conditions of entry.
E. Special Conditions
to establish special conditions for bidding and play (such as written
bidding, bidding boxes, screens — penalty provisions for actions not transmitted
across a screen may be suspended).
F. Supplementary Regulations
to publish or announce regulations supplementary to, but not in conflict
with, these Laws.
G. Appeals
To make suitable arrangements for appeals to be heard.
LAW 81 DUTIES AND POWERS
A. Official Status
The Director is the official representative of the sponsoring organisation.
B. Restrictions and Responsibilities
1. Technical Management
The Director is responsible for the technical management of the tournament.
2. Observance of Laws and Regulations
The Director is bound by these Laws and by supplementary regulations announced
by the sponsoring organisation.
C. Director’s Duties and Powers
The Director’s duties and powers normally include the following:
1. Assistants
to appoint assistants, as required, to perform his duties.
2. Entries
to accept and list entries.
3. Conditions of Play
to establish suitable conditions of play and to announce them to the contestants.
4. Discipline
to maintain discipline and to insure the orderly progress of the game.
5. Law
to administer and interpret these Laws and to advise the players of their
rights and responsibilities thereunder.
6. Errors
to rectify an error or irregularity of which he becomes aware in any manner,
within the correction period established in accordance with Law 79C.
7. Penalties
to assess penalties when applicable.
8. Waiver of Penalties
to waive penalties for cause, at his discretion, upon the request of the
non-offending side.
9. Disputes
to adjust disputes; to refer a matter to the appropriate committee.
10. Scores
to collect scores and tabulate results.
11. Reports
to report results to the sponsoring organisation for official record.
D. Delegation of Duties
The Director may delegate any of the duties listed in "C’ to assistants,
but he is not thereby relieved of responsibility for their correct performance.
LAW 82 RECTIFICATION OF ERRORS OF PROCEDURE
A. Director’s Duty
It is the duty of the Director to rectify errors of procedure and to maintain
the progress of the game in a manner that is not contrary to these Laws.
B. Rectification of Error
To rectify an error in procedure the Director may:
1. Award of Adjusted Score
award an adjusted score as permitted by these Laws.
2. Specify Time of Play
require or postpone the play of a board.
C. Director’s Error
If the Director has given a ruling that he or the Chief Director subsequently
determines to be incorrect, and if no rectification will allow the board
to be scored normally, he shall award an adjusted score, considering both
sides as non-offending for that purpose.
LAW 83 NOTIFICATION OF THE RIGHT TO APPEAL
If the Director believes that a review of his decision on a point of fact or exercise
of his discretionary power might be in order (as when he awards an adjusted
score under Law 12), he shall advise a contestant of his right to appeal
or may refer the matter to an appropriate committee.
LAW 84 RULINGS ON AGREED FACTS
When the Director is called to rule on a point of law or regulation in which the facts are
agreed upon, he shall rule as follows:
A. No Penalty
If no penalty is prescribed by law, and there is no occasion for him to
exercise his discretionary powers, he directs the players to proceed with
the auction or play.
B. Penalty under Law
If a case is clearly covered by a Law that specifies a penalty for the
irregularity, he assesses that penalty and sees that it is paid.
C. Player’s Option
If a Law gives a player a choice among penalties, the Director explains
the options and sees that a penalty is selected and paid.
D. Director’s Option
If the Law gives the Director a choice between a specified penalty and
the award of an adjusted score, he attempts to restore equity, resolving
any doubtful point in favour of the non-offending side.
E. Discretionary Penalty
If an irregularity has occurred for which no penalty is provided by law,
the Director awards an adjusted score if there is even a reasonable possibility
that the non-offending side was damaged, notifying the offending side
of its right to appeal (see Law 81C9).
LAW 85 RULINGS ON DISPUTED FACTS
When the Director is called upon to rule on a point of law or regulation in which the facts
are not agreed upon, he shall proceed as follows:
A. Director’s Assessment
If the Director is satisfied that he has ascertained the facts, he rules
as in Law 84.
B. Facts Not Determined
If the Director is unable to determine the facts to his satisfaction,
he shall make a ruling that will permit play to continue, and notify the
players of their right to appeal.
LAW 86 IN TEAM PLAY
A. Average Score at IMP Play
When the Director chooses to award an artificial adjusted score of average
plus or average minus in IMP play, that score is plus 3 IMPs or minus
3 IMPs respectively.
B. Non-balancing Adjustments, Knockout Play
When the Director assigns non-balancing adjusted scores (see Law 12C)
in knockout play, each contestant’s score on the board is calculated separately.
The average of the two scores is then assigned to both contestants.
C. Substitute Board
The Director shall not exercise his Law 6 authority to order one board
redealt when the final result of a match without that board could be known
to a contestant. Instead, he awards an adjusted score.
LAW 87 FOULED BOARD
A. Definition
A board is considered to be "fouled" if the Director determines
that one or more cards were misplaced in the board, in such manner that
contestants who should have had a direct score comparison did not play
the board in identical form.
B. Scoring the Fouled Board
In scoring a fouled board the Director determines as closely as possible
which scores were made on the board in its correct form, and which in
the changed form. He divides the score on that basis into two groups,
and rates each group separately as provided in the regulations of the
sponsoring organisation. In some forms of team contests, the sponsoring
organisation may prescribe a redeal (see Law 6).
LAW 88 AWARD OF INDEMNITY POINTS
In a pair or individual event, when a non-offending contestant is required to take an artificial
adjusted score through no fault or choice of his own, such contestant
shall be awarded a minimum of 60% of the matchpoints available to him
on that board, or the percentage of matchpoints he earned on boards actually
played during the session if that percentage was greater than 60%.
LAW 89 PENALTIES IN INDIVIDUAL EVENTS
In individual events, the Director shall enforce the penalty provisions of these Laws,
and the provisions requiring the award of adjusted scores, equally against
both members of the offending side, even though only one of them may be
responsible for the irregularity. But the Director, in awarding adjusted
scores, shall not assess procedural penalty points against the offender’s
partner, if, in the Director’s opinion, he is in no way responsible for
the violation.
LAW 90 PROCEDURAL PENALTIES
A. Director’s Authority
The Director, in addition to enforcing the penalty provisions of these
Laws, may also assess penalties for any offence that unduly delays or
obstructs the game, inconveniences other contestants, violates correct
procedure, or requires the award of an adjusted score at another table.
B. Rectification of Error
Offences subject to penalty include but are not limited to:
1. Tardiness
arrival of a contestant after the specified starting time.
2. Slow Play
unduly slow play by a contestant.
3. Loud Discussion
discussion of the bidding, play or result of a board, which may be overheard
at another table.
4. Comparing Scores
unauthorised comparison of scores with another contestant.
5. Touching Another’s Cards
touching or handling of cards belonging to another player (Law 7).
6. Misplacing Cards in Board
placing one or more cards in an incorrect pocket of the board.
7. Errors in Procedure
errors in procedure (such as failure to count cards in one’s hand, playing
the wrong board, etc.) that require an adjusted score for any contestant.
8. Failure to Comply
failure to comply promptly with tournament regulations or with any instruction
of the Director.
LAW 91 PENALISE OR SUSPEND
A. Director’s Power
In performing his duty to maintain order and discipline, the Director
is specifically empowered to assess disciplinary penalties in points or
to suspend a contestant for the current session or any part thereof (the
Director’s decision under this clause is final).
B. Right to Disqualify
The Director is specifically empowered to disqualify a contestant for
cause, subject to approval by the Tournament Committee or sponsoring organisation.
LAW 92 RIGHT TO APPEAL
A. Contestant’s Right
A contestant or his Captain may appeal for a review of any ruling made
at his table by the Director
B. Time of Appeal
The right to request or appeal a Director’s ruling expires 30 minutes
after the official score has been made available for inspection, unless
the sponsoring organisation has specified a different time period.
C. How to Appeal
All appeals shall be made through the Director.
D. Concurrence of Appellants
An appeal shall not be heard unless both members of a pair (except in
an individual contest) or the captain of a team, concur in appealing.
An absent member shall be deemed to concur.
LAW 93 PROCEDURES OF APPEAL
A. No Appeals Committee
The Chief Director shall hear and rule upon all appeals if there is no
Tournament or Appeals Committee, or when a committee cannot meet without
disturbing the orderly progress of the tournament.
B. Appeals Committee Available
If a committee is available,
1. Appeal Concerns Law
The Chief Director shall hear and rule upon such part of the appeal as
deals solely with the Law or regulations. His ruling may be appealed to
the committee
2. All Other Appeals
The Chief Director shall refer all other appeals to the committee for
adjudication.
3. Adjudication of Appeals
In adjudicating appeals the committee may exercise all powers assigned
by these Laws to the Director, except that the committee may not overrule
the Director on a point of law or regulations, or on exercise of his disciplinary
powers. The committee may recommend to the Director that he change his
ruling.
C. Appeal to National Authority
After the preceding remedies have been exhausted, further appeal may be
taken to the national authority.
INDEX
A
Adjusted score
Artificial - Law 12C
Assigned score - Law 12C
Awarding - Law 12
Indemnity points - Law 88
Laws provide no indemnity - Law 12A
Likely to damage - Law 72B
Normal play impossible - Law 12A
Powers of Appeals Committee - Law 12C
Right to award - Law 12A
Understandings
Alert
Appeal
Adjudication - Law 93B
All others - Law 93B
Arrangements for - Law 80G
Committee available - Law 93B
Committee powers - Law 93B
Concerns Law - Law 93B
Concurrence of appellants - Law 92D
Contestant's right - Law 92A
Made through Director - Law 92C
No Appeals Committee - Law 93A
Notification of right - Law 83
Procedures - Law 93
Time of - Law 92B
To national authority - Law 93C
Without merit - Footnote to Law 92
Appeals Committee
Powers to award adjusted score - Law 12C
Arrangement of tables - Law 3
Artificial score - Law 12C
Assigned score - Law 12C
Need not balance - Law 12C
Assignment of seats - Law 5
Change of direction or table - Law 5B
Auction
Card exposed or led during auction - Law 24
Cards taken from wrong board - Law 17D
Commencement of - Law 17A
Duration of - Law 17
End of auction period - Law 17E
Explanation of calls during the auction - Law 20F
Procedure after auction has ended - Law 22
Review after final pass - Law 20C
Review during auction period - Law 20B
Review of - Law 41B
Successive calls - Law 17C
Who may review - Law 20D
B
Bid
After auction has ended - Law 35D, Law 39B
Followed by a pass out of rotation - Law 30B
Insufficient - Law 18D, Law 27
Insufficient bid accepted - Law 27A
Insufficient bid not accepted - Law 27B
Insufficient bid out of rotation - Law 27C
Methods - Law 18
Mistaken - Footnote to Law 75
More than seven - Law 38
Of more than seven - Law 35C
Out of rotation - Law 31
Proper form - Law 18A
Rank of the denominations - Law 18E
Sufficient - Law 18C
To supersede a bid - Law 18B
Board
Duplication of - Law 6F
Normal play impossible - Law 12A
Not designated to have been played - Law 15A
Not previously played - Law 15A
Placement of - Law 7A
Play of wrong board - Law 15
Previously played - Law 15B
Removal of cards - Law 7B
Scoring of fouled - Law 87B
Boards
Dealer and vulnerability - Law 2
Duplicate - Law 2
Movement of - Law 8A
C
Call
After final pass - Law 35D, Law 39
Based on caller's misunderstanding - Law 21A
Based on misinformation - Law 21
Based on misinformation from an opponent - Law 21B
By correct player - Law 28B
Change by opponent following correction - Law 21B
Change of call - Law 21B
Changed and not accepted - Lead penalties - Law 25B
Changes of
Delayed or purposeful correction - Law 25B
Immediate correction of inadvertency - Law 25A
In rotation - Law 28
Inadmissible call condoned - Law 35
Inadmissible double - Law 35A
Inadmissible redouble - Law 35A
Incomplete or erroneous call of card from dummy - Law 46
Not clearly heard - Law 20A
Out of rotation
Out of rotation - Forfeiture of right to penalise - Law 29A
Out of rotation cancelled - Law 29B
Out of rotation conventional - Law 29C
Retention of right to call - Law 34
Review and explanation - Law 20
RHO required to pass - Law 28A
Substitute condoned - Law 25B
Substitute not condoned - Law 25B
Too late to change call - Law 21B
Withdrawn, Lead penalties - Law 26
Call out of rotation
Cancelled - Law 29B
Forfeiture of right to penalise - Law 29A
Is conventional - Law 29C
Calls
Explanation during the auction - Law 20F
Explanation during the play period - Law 20F
Explanation of - Law 20F
Simultaneous - Law 33
Card
Cannot be found - Law 14
Compulsory play of card - Law 45C
Correction of designation - Law 45C
Designated or named - Law 45C
Designating dummy's card - Law 46A
Exposed or led during auction - Law 24
Fifth card played to a trick - Law 45E
Incomplete or erroneous call of card from dummy - Law 46
Indicated by dummy - Law 45F
Misplayed by dummy - Law 45D
Missing - Law 14
Penalty - Law 45C, Law 50, Law 51, Law 52
Penalty card
Played - Law 45
Retraction of card played - Law 47
Card missing - Law 14
Noticed at any later time - Law 14B
Noticed before play commences - Law 14A
Cards - Law 1
Counting before play - Law 7B
Exposure by declarer - Law 48
Exposure by defender - Law 49
Incorrect number - Law 13
Incorrectly dealt or exposed - Law 6D
Inspection of - Law 7B
Played subsequent to revoke - Law 62C
Removal from board - Law 7B
Retaining possession of - Law 7B
Returning to board - Law 7C
Taken from wrong board - Law 17D
Change of play
Misinformation - Law 47E
Claim
Acquiescence - Law 69
Acquiescence withdrawn - Law 69B
Clarification - Law 68C
Concession defined - Law 68B
Contested - Law 70
Defined - Law 68A
New line of play - Law 70D
Outstanding trump - Law 70C
Play ceases - Law 68D
Unstated line of finesse or drop - Law 70E
Communication - Law 73
Between partners - Law 73A
Gratuitous - Law 73B
Inappropriate - Law 73B
Mannerisms - Law 73A
Prearranged - Law 73B
Tempo or manner - Law 73D
Unauthorised information from partner - Law 73C
Concession, See Claim
Cancelled - Law 71
Implausible - Law 71C
Conduct - Law 74
Courtesy - Law 74A
Correct procedure - Law 74A
Detaching card - Law 74, Law 74B
Discourteous manner - Law 74B
Etiquette - Law 74B
Gratuitous comments - Law 74B
Inattention - Law 74B
Lack of further interest - Law 74C
Leaving the table - Law 74C
Prolonging play - Law 74B
Significant occurrence - Law 74C
Varying tempo - Law 74C
Violations of procedure - Law 74C
Contestant
Contract
Convention
Convention card - Law 40E
Referring to opponent's card - Law 40E
Right to prescribe - Law 40E
Conventions
Regulation of - Law 40D
Correction
Premature - Law 9C
Counting cards - Law 7B
D
Deal - Law 6B
At Director's instructions - Law 6D
Cards incorrectly dealt or exposed - Law 6D
Different method of dealing or pre-dealing - Law 6E
Director's options - Law 6E
No deal - Law 6D
Dealer and vulnerability - Law 2
Deception - Law 73E
Declarer
Defective trick - Law 67
Defender
Definitions
Denomination
Rank - Law 18E
Director - See also Tournament Director
Delegation of duties - Law 81D
Discretionary powers - Law 12
Option regarding understandings - Law 40C
Power to disqualify - Law 91B
Power to refer question - Law 83
Power to suspend - Law 91A
Powers - Law 81C
Responsibilities
Status - Law 81A
Summoning - Law 9B
Disclosure
Alert
Answering questions - Law 20F, Law 75C
Convention card - Law 40E
Habitual violations - Law 75B
Requirement - Law 40B, Law 75A
Unanticipated violations - Law 75B
Double
Inadmissible - Law 35A, Law 36
Legal - Law 19A
Of incorrectly stated bid - Law 19A
Out of rotation - Law 32
Proper form - Law 19A
Superseded - Law 19C
Doubled contract
Scoring - Law 19D
Doubles - Law 19
Drafting Committee
Dummy
Designating card to be played from - Law 46A
Faced hand - Law 41D
Indicates card - Law 45F
Limitations - Law 43A
Qualified rights - Law 42B
Rights - Law 42
Duplication of board - Law 6F
E
End of last round - Law 8C
End of round - Law 8B
End of session - Law 8C
Event
Explanation
Calls during the auction - Law 20F
Calls during the play period - Law 20F
Correcting errors - Law 75D
Mistaken - Law 75D
Of calls - Law 20F
Presumed mistaken - Footnote to Law 75
F<
Final pass
Review of auction - Law 20C
Follow suit
Forfeiture of
the right to penalise - Law 11
Further bids or plays - Law 9B
G
Game
H
Hand
Hand records - Law 13A
Honour
I
Illegal alternative is chosen - Law 16A
IMP
Inadmissible call
Condoned - Law 35
Inadmissible call
condoned
Action by player required to pass - Law 35B
After final pass - Law 35D
Double - Law 35A
Of more than seven - Law 35C
Redouble - Law 35A
Inadvertency
Immediate correction - Law 25A
Incorrect number of cards - Law 13
Incorrect penalty - Law 12A
Indemnity
Laws provide no indemnity - Law 12A
Information
Extraneous - Law 16
Extraneous information from partner - Law 16A
From mannerisms of opponents - Law 16
From other sources - Law 16B
From withdrawn calls and plays - Law 16C
Gratuitous - Law 73B
Legal calls and/or plays - Law 16
Unauthorised - Law 16
Infraction
Concealing - Law 72B
Inadvertent - Law 72B
Intentional - Law 72B
Likely to damage - Law 72B
Of Law - Law 72B
Insufficient bid
Accepted - Law 27A
Not accepted - Law 27B
Out of rotation - Law 27C
International matchpoint
Interpretation of the Laws
Irregularities
Correction of
General Laws governing irregularities
Irregularity
After attention is called - Law 9B
Called by spectator - Law 11B
Calling attention to - Law 9A
Choice after - Law 10C
Damage to non-offending side - Law 72B
Further bids or plays - Law 9B
Opponents' rights - Law 9B
Premature correction - Law 9C
Procedure following - Law 9
Retention of rights - Law 9B
Summoning the Director - Law 9B
L
Lead
Faced lead out of turn - Law 54
Inability to lead as required - Law 59
Not accepted - Law 54D
Opening faced - Law 41C
Opening lead - Law 41A
Out of turn
Out of turn accepted - Law 53
Out of turn by declarer - Law 55
Out of turn by defender - Law 56
Penalties - Law 26
Premature - Law 57
Lead penalties
If call withdrawn - Law 26
Leads
Simultaneous - Law 58
LHO
M
Matchpoint
Misinformation
Call based on misinformation - Law 21
Change of play - Law 47E
Missing card - Law 14
Noticed at any later time - Law 14B
Noticed before play commences - Law14A
Movement
Of boards - Law 8A
Of players - Law 8A
N
Non-offending side
Action by - Law 11A
Normal play
Impossible - Law 12A
O
Obligation to pass
Action violating obligation to pass - Law 37
Odd Trick
Opening lead
Face down - Law 41A
Faced - Law 41C
Opponent
Opponents' rights - Law 9B
Options
Choice among - Law 10C
Explanation of - Law 10C
Overtrick
P
Pack, See also Law 1
Partner
Extraneous information from - Law 16A
Partnership understandings,
See Understandings
Partnerships - Law 4
Partscore
Pass
Action violating obligation to pass - Law 37
Damaging enforced pass - Law 23
Out of rotation - Law 30
Out of rotation before any player has bid - Law 30A
Out of rotation when conventional - Law 30C
Pass out of rotation
After any player has bid - Law 30B
Before any player has bid - Law 30A
When pass is a convention - Law 30C
Pauses
Mandatory - Law 73A
Penalties
Disciplinary - Law 91A
In individual events - Law 89
Penalty
Action by non-offending side - Law 11A
After forfeiture of the right to penalise - Law 11C
After revoke is established - Law 64A
Assessment of - Law 10
Cancellation of payment or waiver of - Law 10B
Comparing scores - Law 90B
Director's authority - Law 90A
Discretionary - Law 84E
Errors in procedure - Law 90B
Failure to comply promptly - Law 90B
Forfeiture of the right to penalise - Law 11
Incorrect penalty has been paid - Law 12A
Irregularity called by spectator - Law 11B
Lead penalties - Law 26
Loud discussion - Law 90B
Misplacing cards - Law 90B
No adjustment for undue severity - Law 12B
Not assessed after revoke - Law 64B
Offences subject to - Law 90B
Right to assess - Law 10A
Slow play - Law 90B
Tardiness - Law 90B
Touching another's cards - Law 90B
Penalty card - Law 45C
Failure to play - Law 52
Penalty cards
Two or more - Law 51
Placement of board - Law 7A
Play
After an illegal play - Law 60
After irregularity - Law 60A
Commencement of - Law 41
Inability to follow suit - Law 44D
Inability to play as required - Law 59
Lead - Law 44A
Premature - Law 57
Procedure of - Law 44
Requirement to follow suit - Law 44C
Subsequent plays - Law 44B
Play period
Explanation of calls during the play period - Law 20F
Players
Movement of - Law 8A
Plays
Simultaneous - Law 58
Powers of Directors - Law 12
Premature correction
Of an irregularity - Law 9C
Premium points
Preparation
Procedure
After auction has ended - Law 22
After auction has ended and no player has bid - Law 22A
After auction has ended and one or more players have bid - Law 22B
After establishment of a revoke - Law 64
Director's duty - Law 82A
Director's error - Law 82C
Errors of - Law 82
Of play - Law 44
Rectification of error - Law 82B
Procedures
Responsibility for - Law 7D
Proprieties
Choice of action suggested - Law 73F
Enforcement of Laws - Law 72A
False inference drawn - Law 73F
General obligation - Law 72A
Legal options - Law 72A
Offenders' options - Law 72A
Score for trick not won - Law 72A
Tricks won - Law 72A
Violation of - Law 73F
Waiving of penalties - Law 72A
Psychic call
Q
Questions
Concerning auction before opening lead - Law 41B
R
Rank
Cards and suits - Law 1
Denominations - Law 18E
Incomplete designation - Law 46B
Rectification
Redeal - Law 6D
Required - Law 13A
Redouble
Inadmissible - Law 35A, Law 36
Legal - Law 19B
Of an incorrectly stated bid - Law 19B
Out of rotation - Law 32
Proper form - Law 19B
Superseded - Law 19C
Redoubled contract
Scoring - Law 19D
Redoubles - Law 19B
Result
Agreement on - Law 65D
Retention of rights
- Law 9B
Retraction of card played - Law 47
Review
After final pass - Law 20C
Correction of error - Law 20E
Of auction during auction period - Law 20B
Of auction after final pass - Law 20C
Of auction and questions - Law 41B
Of calls - Law 20
Of the play - Law 65C
Who may review the auction - Law 20D
Revoke
After calls to next deal - Law 64B
After round has ended - Law 64B
Attention illegally drawn - Law 63B
Before partner plays to twelfth trick - Law 62D
By failure to play a faced card - Law 64B
Correction - Law 62
Definition - Law 61A
Equity - Law 64C
Established - Law 63
Inquiries - Law 61B
On trick twelve - Law 62D
On twelfth trick - Law 64B
Penalty assessed - Law 64A
Penalty not assessed - Law 64B
Procedure after establishment - Law 64
Right to inquire - Law 61B
RHO
Right to assess penalty - Law 10A
Right to call
Retention of - Law 34
Rights
Dummy's rights - Law 42
Opponent's - Law 9B
Retention of - Law 9B
Rotation
Round
End of - Law 8B
End of last round - Law 8C
Rulings
On agreed facts - Law 84
On disputed facts - Law 85
S
Score
Adjusted - Law 12
Artificial - Law 12C
Assigned - Law 12C
Average - Law 86A
Award adjusted - Law 16B
Non balancing adjustments - Law 86B
Scoring
Doubled contract - Law 19D
Error - Law 79C
Fouled board - Law 87B
Indemnity points - Law 88
International matchpoints - Law 78B
Matchpoints - Law 78A
Methods - Law 78
Redoubled contract - Law 19D
Special methods - Law 78D
Total point - Law 78C
Scoring table
- Law 77
Session
End of - Law 8C
Shuffle - Law
6
At Director's instructions - Law 6D
Before play starts - Law 6A
Director's options - Law 6E
New - Law 6D
No shuffle - Law 6D
Side
Slam
Spectator
Irregularity called by - Law 11B
Participation - Law 76B
Spectators - Law
76
Conduct - Law 76A
Mannerisms or remarks - Law 76A
Sponsoring organisation - Law 80
Conditions of contest - Law 78D
Conditions of entry - Law 80D
Correction period -Law 79C
Duties and powers - Law 80
Substitute
Appoint after unauthorised information - Law 16B
Suit
Suits - Law 1
T
Table of contents
Team
Tempo - Law 73D
Unvarying - Law 73E
Tempo or manner
Inadvertent variations - Law 73D
Intentional variations - Law 73D
Trick
Defective - Law 67
Fifth card played - Law 45E
Turning - Law 45G
Trick Points
Tricks
Arrangement of - Law 65
Inspection of - Law 66
Player mixes his cards - Law 65D - Law 66D
Review of the play - Law 65C
Won - Law 65B, Law 79A
Trump
Trumps
Tricks containing - Law 44E
Tricks not containing - Law 44F
Turn
U
Unauthorised information - Law 16
Appoint substitute - Law 16B
From partner - Law 73C
Illegal alternative is chosen - Law 16A
Understandings
Concealed partnership understandings prohibited - Law 40B
Director's option - Law 40C
Failure to explain the full meaning - Law 40C
Habitual violations - Law 75B
Regulation of conventions - Law 40D
Right to choose call or play - Law 40A
Special agreements - Law 75A
Violation of agreements - Law 75B
Undertrick
Undue severity of penalty - Law 12B
Unusual methods
- Footnote to Law 40
V
Variations in tempo or manner - Law 73D
Vulnerability
W
Waiver of penalty - Law 10B
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