Noddy guide to the Laws of Bridge

A "Noddy" Guide to the Laws of Duplicate Bridge^†

Updated for 2007 Law Changes

The official "Laws of Duplicate Bridge" is a very dry legalistic document and it's not always easy to find the information you require. After various conversations I have been persuaded that some players would welcome a few notes, in plain English, describing what happens in the most common situations.

These notes are not intended to be a substitute for calling the director, if one is available. Even if you believe you know the rules, the director should always be called for any irregularity. Hopefully, though, these notes will give you an idea of how the director is likely to rule and offer some guidelines on correct procedure when playing informally.

Before going on to the details, I would like to dispel a few myths:

"Once the opening lead is faced, partner can't ask questions." Wrong! See Any questions, partner?
"The penalty for a revoke is you lose that trick and one subsequent." Not always - in fact not even usually. See Revokes.
"If declarer leads from the wrong hand, he must play that suit." Not so. See Lead out of turn.
"If you stop and think for a long time before passing, partner must pass." Not true. See Pause for thought. Note, if this particular myth were true, what an excellent way to shut your partner up when you don't want him to bid again - just think for a long time before passing yourself!

The Guide

Note on terminology:

In "The Laws" the word call is used as a generic term to cover all bids, passes, doubles or redoubles. The term bid is used very specifically to mean a call which names a number of tricks and a denomination. Pass, double and redouble are "calls" but not "bids".

Please select from the following topics:

Director!		He's there to help. Always call him for any irregularity and don't take offence if your opponents call.
I Reserve my Rights		What does that mean?
All Pass		If everyone passes, *please* don't redeal. Click this topic to find out why.
Pause for thought		Is there a penalty for thinking too hard?
Changing your call		Can you change your call if you make a mistake? If so, when?
Call out of turn		What should happen if someone calls out of turn?
Insufficient bid		What happens if a bid isn't sufficient?
Any questions, partner?		Why do we ask partner if he has any questions before facing the opening lead? Does it mean he can't ask questions later (no, it doesn't!)?
Opening lead out of turn		What happens if the wrong defender makes the opening lead?
Lead out of turn		What happens if there is a lead out of turn once the hand is under way?
Dummy's Rights		What are they?
Having none, partner?		If partner doesn't follow suit can you ask if he's void? Well now you can (again). It was illegal for a while but was re-legalised in 2007. However, beware of giving "Unauthorised Information"
Stacked it wrong		Can you do anything if partner stacks a trick the wrong way? Actually, yes. These days you can.
Nominating cards from dummy		What happens if declarer is less than precise when calling for a card from dummy?
Penalty Cards		What happens if the defence expose a card illegally?
Revokes		What's the penalty for a revoke? Can you avoid a penalty by correcting it?

And finally...

If you do come up against officious opponents who get uppity and generally make you feel uncomfortable, get your own back. Tell them they are in contravention of Law 74A which requires all players to "maintain a courteous attitude at all times" and "avoid any remark or action that might cause annoyance or embarrassment to another player or might interfere with the enjoyment of the game". It's a game, for heaven's sake. Enjoy it!

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A "Noddy" Guide to the Laws of Duplicate Bridge†

The Guide

A "Noddy" Guide to the Laws of Duplicate Bridge^†