the Laws of Duplicate Contract Bridge - 1997 (European Edition)
| The OKb Laws (Draft 2) Marked Revision against the Laws of Duplicate Contract Bridge - 1997 (European Edition) | |
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European Edition as promulgated by The World Bridge Federation and approved by the European Bridge League Effective October 1997 Published and distributed by the European Bridge League The World Bridge Federation
European Bridge League
INTERPRETATION OF THE LAWS NOTES TO READER The numbering scheme of the 1997 Laws is being retained, to permit ready reference and avoid confusion. Accordingly, there are many gaps in the numbering of provisions. The index has been updated, and hyperlinked to the specific provisions referenced.My general approach has been to delete provisions which have no relevance to OKb play, such as revokes, bids and plays out of rotation, insufficient bids, defective deals, and so forth. All references to a Director have been removed. Generally, where the Laws provide for an adjusted score in the Director’s discretion, the OKb Laws provide for the skip of the board at the election of the non-offending side, with the election to be made at the earliest possible moment to avoid the "double shot" issues. A different approach is taken for claims, which reflects OKb practice. Undo’s and the distinction between public and private chat are given formal recognition. Additional proprieties are proposed. This Discussion Draft 2 of the OKb Laws was revision marked against the 1997 Laws. A second version, with all revision markings removed, is all posted. For those who reviewed Discussion Draft 1, a Word97 file which marks the revisions between the two discussion drafts is available privately. R. Wigdor, October 9, 1997 Prior to the 1987 Laws words such as may, should, shall and must were used without much discrimination. In 1987 they were rationalised, and the practice is continued in the current Laws. When these Laws say that a player "may" do something ("any player may call attention to an irregularity during the auction"), the failure to do it is not wrong. A simple declaration that a player "does" something ("....dummy spreads his hand in front of him...") establishes correct procedure without any suggestion that a violation be penalised. When a player "should" do something ("a claim should be accompanied at once by a statement..."),his failure to do it is an infraction of Law, which will jeopardise his rights, but which will seldom incur a procedural penalty. In contrast, when these Laws say that a player "shall" do something ("No player shall take any action until the Director has explained....), a violation will be penalised more often than not. The strongest word, "must" ("before making a call, he must inspect the face of his cards"), indicates that violation is regarded as serious. Note that "may" becomes very strong in the negative: "may not" is a stronger injunction than "shall not", just short of "must not."
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. Four players play at each table. LAW 4 - PARTNERSHIPS The four players at each table constitute two partnerships or sides, North–South against East–West.
B. The Deal C. Representation of Both Pairs 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 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 A. Placement of Board 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. D. Responsibility for Procedures A. Movement of Boards and Players 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 C. End of Last Round and End of Session General Laws Governing Irregularities LAW 9 - PROCEDURE FOLLOWING AN IRREGULARITY A. Calling Attention to an Irregularity 1. During the Auction Period 2. During the Play Period (a) Unless prohibited by Law, declarer or either defender may call attention to an 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 (a) When to Summon The Director must be summoned at once when attention is drawn to an irregularity. When attention is drawn to an irregularity, the contestants should attempt to reach a concensus of the appropriate action to be taken. If no concensus is achieved, the opponents of the player that committed the irregularity may require that the board be skipped, but that requirement must be communicated before any continuation of play. 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).
A. Penalties
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. 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).
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). 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. 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. 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. 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 2. When Illegal Alternative Is Chosen When a player has substantial reason to believe that an opponent who had a logical alternative has chosen an action that could have been suggested by such information, he B. Extraneous Information from Other Sources When a player accidentally receives unauthorised information about a board he is playing, 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. B.1. Skip Procedure When it may be necessary to skip a board and whenever a contestant requests or requires a skip, the players should attempt to reach a concensus. If no concensus is achieved, play of the board should continue, but the board subsequently may be skipped, by agreement of all of the players. If no agreement is reached, the matter may be referred for third-party adjudication if such is provided by the sponsoring organization. C. Information from Withdrawn Calls and Plays For the non-offending side, all information 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.
PART I
SECTION ONE The auction period on a deal begins for a side when 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.
The auction period ends when all four players pass or A bid names a number of odd tricks, from one to seven, and a denomination. (Pass, double and redouble are calls but not bids.) 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. A bid that supersedes the immediately previous bid is a sufficient bid.
The rank of the denominations in descending order is: no trump, spades, hearts, diamonds, clubs.
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. 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.) 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. 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. A player who does not hear a call distinctly may forthwith require that it be repeated.
B. Review of Auction
D. Who May Review the Auction A request to have calls restated shall be responded to only by an opponent. 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). During the auction and before the final pass, any player, at his own turn to call,
1. Any player 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); 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 2. The declarer may request an explanation of a defender’s 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. Any skip of the board is in the discretion of the opponents and there is no obligation to offer, nor accept a request, to skip the board. 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, 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).
After the auction period has ended, if no player has bid, the B. One or More Players Have Bid if any player has bid, the final bid becomes the contract, and play begins.
IRREGULARITIES IN PROCEDURE
Reference will be made to this Law from many other Laws that prescribe penalties for auction-period infractions. EXPOSED CARD, AUCTION PERIOD
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: 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).
CHANGES OF CALLS
A. Immediate Correction of Inadvertency
(c) Lead Penalties
When an offending player’s call is withdrawn, and he chooses a different final call for that turn, then if he becomes a defender: 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 at his first turn to lead, including the opening lead, such prohibition to continue for as long as offender’s partner retains the lead.
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. 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.
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. 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
C. Call Out of Rotation Is Conventional
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 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
B. Partner’s or LHO’s Turn 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
B. Made at RHO’s Turn to Call
A call made simultaneously with one made by the player whose turn it was to call is deemed to be a subsequent 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.
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: 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. If the inadmissible call was a call after the final pass of the auction, that call and all subsequent calls are cancelled without penalty.
INADMISSIBLE CALLS
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.) 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.)
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.)
A call made after the final pass of the auction is cancelled, and: If it is a pass by a defender, or any call by the future declarer or dummy, there is no penalty. 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.)
CONVENTIONS AND AGREEMENTS 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. If The sponsoring organisation may regulate the use of bidding or play conventions. 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 During the auction and play, any player
PART I
SECTION ONE
A. 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. 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.
1. Give Information Dummy is entitled to give information, 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). Dummy may exercise other rights subject to the limitations provided in Law 43.
Except as specified in Law 42: 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
(c) 2. Look at Defender’s Hand
The player who leads to a trick may play any card in his hand. 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. In playing to a trick, each player must follow suit if possible. This obligation takes precedence over all other requirements of these Laws. If unable to follow suit, a player may play any card. 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.
Each player except dummy plays a card by
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). 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.
IRREGULARITIES IN PROCEDURE
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
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 D. Following Opponent’s Change of Play After an opponent’s change of play, a played card may be withdrawn without penalty (but see Law 62C2) to substitute another card for the one played. E. Change of Play Based on Misinformation 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). (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 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. Except as provided in
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.
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. 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. 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.
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 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.
IRREGULAR LEADS AND PLAYS
LEAD OUT OF TURN
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.)
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. 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 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.
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 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.
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. OTHER IRREGULAR LEADS AND PLAYS
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 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.
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
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. 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.
THE 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.
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 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.
A. Revoke Becomes Established A revoke becomes established:
1. Offending Side Leads or Plays to Next Trick 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)).
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 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. TRICKS
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.
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
D. After the Conclusion of Play After play ceases, the played and unplayed cards may be inspected
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 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
CLAIMS AND CONCESSIONS
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). 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. A. Claims Declarer claims when he invokes the claim function of the OKb Software. Provided there has not been any communication by the defenders, declarer may cancel a claim that has not been accepted or rejected. C. Clarification Required for Claim
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.
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 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)
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.
1. General Obligation on Contestants 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. 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. Whenever the 2. Intentional
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 public questions asked or 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 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. 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. When a violation of the Proprieties described in this law results in damage to an innocent opponent, 1. Player Acts on Unauthorised Information if 2. Player Injured by Illegal Deception if G. Deliberate Premature Claims A player may not attempt to obtain information about the distribution or placement of the defenders’ cards by making a premature claim.
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. Every player should follow uniform and correct procedure in calling and playing. As a matter of courtesy a player should refrain from:
1. paying insufficient attention to the game. C. Violations of Procedure The following are considered violations of procedure:
2. indicating approval or disapproval of a call or play. 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 private explanation was erroneous or incomplete, he must immediately 2. Error Noticed by Explainer’s Partner A player whose partner has given a public mistaken explanation 
 Two examples may clarify responsibilities of
the players (and the Director) after a misleading explanation has been
given to the opponents. In both examples following, North has opened
1NT and South, who holds a weak hand with long diamonds, has bid
2 , intending to sign off; North explains, however, in
answer to West's inquiry, that South's bid is strong and artificial,
asking for major suits.
Example 1 - Mistaken Explanation
In both examples, South, having heard North's explanation, knows that
his own 2
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.
Scored by declarer’s opponents if the contract is not fulfilled
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.
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. The number of tricks won shall be 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.
Tournament Sponsorship A sponsoring organisation conducting an event under these Laws has the following duties and powers:
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. to establish the conditions of entry. to establish special conditions for bidding and play to publish or announce regulations supplementary to, but not in conflict with, these Laws. To make suitable arrangements for appeals of contested skip requests to be heard.
H. Conduct and Ethics Referrals
SECTION ONE 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.
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
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.
RULINGS
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).
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.
CORRECTION OF IRREGULARITIES LAW 86 - IN TEAM 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.
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.
PENALTIES
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%.
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.
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. Offences Subject to Penalty 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.
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). 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
C. How to Appeal
D. Concurrence of Appellants
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.
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), hearts (
),
diamonds (
).