The OKb Laws (Draft 2) Marked Revision against the Laws of Duplicate Contract Bridge - 1997 (European Edition)

THE OKBRIDGE LAWS For use in non-tourney play on OKbridge, where players do not have access to a director, these are an adapted and annotated version of the: Laws of Duplicate Contract Bridge – 1997 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 Promulgating Body and Approving Bodies Promulgating Body The World Bridge Federation Drafting Committee Edgar Kaplan Chairman Karen Allison Grattan Endicott Ralph Cohen Chip Martel Roger Stern Approving Bodies European Bridge League The Portland Club The American Contract Bridge League The Laws Committee of the European Bridge League Ton Kooijman Chairman Bill Pencharz Jens Auken Max Bavin Claude Dadoun Grattan Endicott Antonio Riccardi The Portland Club Card Committee D T H Davenport Chairman C G R Leach D P Marchessini J S Wheeler J G Faulkner (English Bridge Union) R S Brock (N. Ireland Bridge Union) J M MacLaren (Scottish Bridge Union) P D Jourdain (Welsh Bridge Union) The Laws Commission of the American Contract Bridge League Edgar Kaplan Co-Chairman Ralph Cohen Co-Chairman Karen R. Allison Ralph Cohen Henry A. Lortz Edgar Kaplan Amalya Kearse Sami R. Kehela Jeffrey D. Polisner Chip Martel Eric Rodwell George Rosenkranz Roger D. Stern Peggy B. Sutherlin Brian Moran Katie Thorpe Bobby Wolff Roy G. Green Alan LeBendig Chris Patrias David McGee The International Code Laws of Duplicate Contract Bridge – 1997 Preface to the European Edition The Laws of Duplicate Contract Bridge, 1997 ("the 1997 Code") was approved by the World Bridge Federation and the European Bridge League in Montecatini Terme, Italy in June 1997 and formally promulgated by the World Bridge Federation in Hammamet, Tunisia in October 1997, immediately prior to the 1997 Bermuda Bowl and Venice Cup. The 1997 Code supersedes the, previous, 1987 Laws of Duplicate Contract Bridge. Each National Contract Bridge Organisation (NCBO) which is a member of the European Bridge League has discretion as to the effective date when the 1997 Code is introduced, but in any event it must not be later than the end of the 1997/98 Bridge Playing Season of that NCBO. The Copyright of the 1997 Code in all non-English speaking countries in Europe (other than Spain and Portugal) is vested in the European Bridge League. The Copyright in the area of the British Commonwealth past and present (other than the Western Hemisphere), the Continent of Africa, Spain, Portugal and all English speaking countries in the Eastern Hemisphere is vested in the Portland Club. The Copyright in the Western Hemisphere and in the Republic of the Philippines is vested in the American Contract Bridge League. Extracts from these Laws either verbatim or paraphrased are not permitted without the sanction of the Authority holding the Copyright. Within those areas where the Copyright is vested in the European Bridge League, the League sanctions, without charge, the translation and verbatim reproduction of the 1997 Code both in written and electronic forms, provided the European Bridge League’s Copyright is acknowledged. European Bridge League Montreux, Switzerland October 1997 Table Of Contents PROMULGATING BODY AND APPROVING BODIES ...................................................................... .....2 THE INTERNATIONAL CODE ........................................................................................................ .....3 TABLE OF CONTENTS .................................................................................................................. .....4 CHAPTER I.................................................................................................................................... .....8 Definitions .....8 CHAPTER II................................................................................................................................... ...10 Preliminaries ...10 LAW 1 - THE PACK — RANK OF CARDS AND SUITS ...10 LAW 2 – THE DUPLICATE BOARDS ...10 LAW 3 - ARRANGEMENT OF TABLES ...10 LAW 4 - PARTNERSHIPS ...10 LAW 5 - ASSIGNMENT OF SEATS ...10 CHAPTER III.................................................................................................................................. ...12 Preparation and Progression ...12 LAW 6 - THE SHUFFLE AND DEAL ...12 LAW 7 - CONTROL OF BOARD AND CARDS ...13 LAW 8 - SEQUENCE OF ROUNDS ...13 CHAPTER IV.................................................................................................................................. ...15 General Laws Governing Irregularities ...15 LAW 9 - PROCEDURE FOLLOWING AN IRREGULARITY ...15 LAW 10 - ASSESSMENT OF A PENALTY ...16 LAW 11 - FORFEITURE OF THE RIGHT TO PENALISE ...16 LAW 12 - DIRECTOR’S DISCRETIONARY POWERS ...16 LAW 13 - INCORRECT NUMBER OF CARDS ...17 LAW 14 - MISSING CARD ...18 LAW 15 - PLAY OF A WRONG BOARD ...19 LAW 16 - UNAUTHORISED INFORMATION ...20 CHAPTER V.................................................................................................................................... ...22 The Auction ...22 PART I CORRECT PROCEDURE ...22 SECTION ONE AUCTION PERIOD ...22 LAW 17 - DURATION OF THE AUCTION ...22 LAW 18 - BIDS ...22 LAW 19 - DOUBLES AND REDOUBLES ...23 LAW 20 - REVIEW AND EXPLANATION OF CALLS ...24 LAW 21 - CALL BASED ON MISINFORMATION ...25 SECTION TWO AUCTION HAS ENDED ...25 LAW 22 - PROCEDURE AFTER THE AUCTION HAS ENDED ...25 PART II IRREGULARITIES IN PROCEDURE ...27 LAW 23 - DAMAGING ENFORCED PASS ...27 SECTION ONE EXPOSED CARD, AUCTION PERIOD ...27 LAW 24 - CARD EXPOSED OR LED DURING AUCTION ...27 SECTION TWO CHANGES OF CALLS ...27 LAW 25 - LEGAL AND ILLEGAL CHANGES OF CALL ...27 LAW 26 - CALL WITHDRAWN, LEAD PENALTIES ...28 SECTION THREE INSUFFICIENT BID ...29 LAW 27 - INSUFFICIENT BID ...29 LAW 27 - INSUFFICIENT BID ...29 SECTION FOUR CALL OUT OF ROTATION ...30 LAW 28 - CALLS CONSIDERED TO BE IN ROTATION ...30 LAW 29 - PROCEDURE AFTER A CALL OUT OF ROTATION ...30 LAW 30 - PASS OUT OF ROTATION ...30 LAW 31 - BID OUT OF ROTATION ...31 LAW 32 - DOUBLE OR REDOUBLE OUT OF ROTATION ...32 LAW 33 - SIMULTANEOUS CALLS ...33 LAW 34 - RETENTION OF RIGHT TO CALL ...33 LAW 35 - INADMISSIBLE CALL CONDONED ...33 SECTION FIVE INADMISSIBLE CALLS ...33 LAW 36 - INADMISSIBLE DOUBLE OR REDOUBLE ...33 LAW 37 - ACTION VIOLATING OBLIGATION TO PASS ...34 LAW 38 - BID OF MORE THAN SEVEN ...34 LAW 39 - CALL AFTER FINAL PASS ...34 SECTION SIX CONVENTIONS AND AGREEMENTS ...34 LAW 40 - PARTNERSHIP UNDERSTANDINGS ...34 CHAPTER VI.................................................................................................................................. ...36 The Play ...36 PART I PROCEDURE ...36 SECTION ONE CORRECT PROCEDURE ...36 LAW 41 - COMMENCEMENT OF PLAY ...36 LAW 42 - DUMMY’S RIGHTS ...36 LAW 43 - DUMMY’S LIMITATIONS ...37 LAW 44 - SEQUENCE AND PROCEDURE OF PLAY ...38 LAW 45 - CARD PLAYED ...39 SECTION TWO IRREGULARITIES IN PROCEDURE ...40 LAW 46 - INCOMPLETE OR ERRONEOUS CALL OF CARD FROM DUMMY ...40 LAW 47 - RETRACTION OF CARD PLAYED ...41 PART II PENALTY CARD ...43 LAW 48 - EXPOSURE OF DECLARER’S CARDS ...43 LAW 49 - EXPOSURE OF A DEFENDER’S CARDS ...43 LAW 50 - DISPOSITION OF PENALTY CARD ...43 LAW 51 - TWO OR MORE PENALTY CARDS ...44 LAW 52 - FAILURE TO LEAD OR PLAY A PENALTY CARD ...45 PART III IRREGULAR LEADS AND PLAYS ...46 SECTION ONE LEAD OUT OF TURN ...46 LAW 53 - LEAD OUT OF TURN ACCEPTED ...46 ;LAW 54 - FACED OPENING LEAD OUT OF TURN ...46 LAW 55 - DECLARER’S LEAD OUT OF TURN ...47 LAW 56 - DEFENDER’S LEAD OUT OF TURN ...47 SECTION TWO OTHER IRREGULAR LEADS AND PLAYS ...47 LAW 57 - PREMATURE LEAD OR PLAY BY DEFENDER ...47 LAW 58 - SIMULTANEOUS LEADS OR PLAYS ...48 LAW 59 - INABILITY TO LEAD OR PLAY AS REQUIRED ...49 LAW 60 - PLAY AFTER AN ILLEGAL PLAY ...49 SECTION THREE THE REVOKE ...49 LAW 61 - FAILURE TO FOLLOW SUIT - INQUIRIES CONCERNING A REVOKE ...49 LAW 62 - CORRECTION OF A REVOKE ...50 LAW 63 - ESTABLISHMENT OF A REVOKE ...51 LAW 64 - PROCEDURE AFTER ESTABLISHMENT OF A REVOKE ...51 PART IV TRICKS ...52 LAW 65 - ARRANGEMENT OF TRICKS ...52 LAW 66 - INSPECTION OF TRICKS ...53 LAW 67 - DEFECTIVE TRICK ...53 PART V CLAIMS AND CONCESSIONS ...54 LAW 68 - CLAIM OR CONCESSION OF TRICKS ...55 LAW 69 - ACQUIESCENCE IN CLAIM OR CONCESSION ...55 LAW 70 - CONTESTED CLAIMS ...56 LAW 71 - CONCESSION CANCELLED ...57 CHAPTER VII................................................................................................................................. ...58 Proprieties ...58 LAW 72 - GENERAL PRINCIPLES ...58 LAW 73 - COMMUNICATION ...59 LAW 74 - CONDUCT AND ETIQUETTE ...60 LAW 75 - PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENTS ...62 LAW 76 - SPECTATORS ...63 CHAPTER VIII................................................................................................................................ ...64 The Score ...64 LAW 77 - DUPLICATE BRIDGE SCORING TABLE ...64 LAW 78 - METHODS OF SCORING ...64 LAW 79 - TRICKS WON ...65 CHAPTER IX.................................................................................................................................. ...66 Tournament Sponsorship ...66 LAW 80 - SPONSORING ORGANISATION ...66 CHAPTER X.................................................................................................................................. ....67 Tournament Director ...67 SECTION ONE RESPONSIBILITIES ...67 LAW 81 - DUTIES AND POWERS ...67 LAW 82 - RECTIFICATION OF ERRORS OF PROCEDURE ...68 LAW 83 - NOTIFICATION OF THE RIGHT TO APPEAL ...68 SECTION TWO RULINGS ...69 LAW 84 - RULINGS ON AGREED FACTS ...69 LAW 85 - RULINGS ON DISPUTED FACTS ...69 SECTION THREE CORRECTION OF IRREGULARITIES ...69 LAW 86 - IN TEAM PLAY ...70 LAW 87 - FOULED BOARD ...70 SECTION FOUR PENALTIES ...70 LAW 88 - AWARD OF INDEMNITY POINTS ...70 LAW 89 - PENALTIES IN INDIVIDUAL EVENTS ...70 LAW 90 - PROCEDURAL PENALTIES ...71 LAW 91 - PENALISE OR SUSPEND ...71 CHAPTER XI.................................................................................................................................. ...72 APPEALS ...72 LAW 92 - RIGHT TO APPEAL ...72 LAW 93 - PROCEDURES OF APPEAL ...72 INDEX............................................................................................................................................... ...72 LAWS OF DUPLICATE CONTRACT BRIDGE – 1997 INTERPRETATION OF THE LAWS The first Laws of Duplicate Contract Bridge were published in 1928. There have been successive revisions in 1933, 1935, 1943, 1949, 1975 and 1987. 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 Updated November 22, 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." A great deal of effort has been expended to make these Laws easy to use. References from one Law to another have been made more explicit. The hundreds of headings and sub-headings can help a Director find the section of a Law that is applicable to the facts of a case (these headings are for convenience of reference only; headings are not considered to be part of the Laws). CHAPTER I 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, notification in one of the forms made available by the OKb Software, 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.for competitive non-tourney play by the OKb Server. 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 teammates. 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 that bid. He becomes declarer when the auction period ends (see Law 17E). 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 notrump 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 Law 19 and Law 77). Dummy 1. Declarer's partner. He becomes dummy when the auction period ends (see Law 17E). 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. International Matchpoint (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. Mature Claim A claim made at a point in the play of a board at whichthat the unproven distribution or placement of the defenders’ cards can not affect the number of tricks that will be won by declarer. Misclaim A claim to win an incorrect number of tricks. Odd Trick Each trick to be won by declarer's side in excess of six. OKb Server The computing facilities of OKb, to which players using OKb Software are connected over the Internet. OKb Software All versions of the OKb client software in current release. 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. Premature Claim A claim made at a point in the play of a board at whichthat the unproven distribution or placement of the defenders’ cards may affect the number of tricks that will be won by the declarer. 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 Law 19 and Law 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 progresses. Round A part of a session played without progressionvariation of players. Session An extended period of play during which a number of boards, specified by the sponsoring organisation, is scheduled to be played.The period of play commencing at 00.00h Pacific Time each Sunday and ending at 24.00h Pacific Time each Saturday. 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). CHAPTER II Preliminaries 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. CHAPTER III Preparation and Progression 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.randomized by the OKb Server. 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.are dealt by the OKb Server into four hands of thirteen cards each; if the deal is defective, the board shall be skipped. C. Representation of Both Pairs If the cards are dealt and the opponents of the server leave the table during the auction period, and new opponents subsequently join the table and are seated, the board shall be skipped. If the cards are dealt and one player leaves the table during the auction period, and a substitute player assumes the vacated seat, that substitute may require that the board be skipped as a condition of his continuing play. 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 - CONTROL OF BOARD AND CARDS 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. CHAPTER IV General Laws Governing Irregularities LAW 9 - PROCEDURE FOLLOWING AN IRREGULARITY A. Calling Attention to an Irregularity 1. During the Auction Period Unless prohibited by Law, anyAny 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 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 1. Summoning the Director (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. (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 - ASSESSMENT OF A PENALTY A. PenaltiesRight 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, but do have the right, but not the obligation, to waive penalties. 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 Organizations specify otherwise, an appeals committee may vary an assigned adjusted score in order to do equity. LAW 13 - INCORRECT NUMBER OF CARDS When the Director determines that one or more pockets of the board contained an incorrect number of cards, 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 playsparticipates in the play of 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.played or spectated, the board must be skipped. 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 immediatelymay immediately request that the board be skipped. The opponents should, if they dispute the fact that unauthorised information might have been conveyed).conveyed, so indicate and Law 16B.1 applies. 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 should summon the Director forthwith. The Director shall require the auction and play to continue, standing ready to assign an adjusted may immediately request that the board be skipped. The opponents should, if they dispute that the action chosen could have been suggested by such information, or dispute the existence of a logical alternative, so indicate and Law16B.1 applies. 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, he should propose, and accept a proposal, that the board be skipped 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. 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 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. Information arising from a withdrawn action is unauthorised. 1. Non-offending Side 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. CHAPTER V The Auction PART I CORRECT PROCEDURE SECTION ONE AUCTION PERIOD 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.the board is served by the OKb Server. 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 orwhen 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, aA player is entitled to have all 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.inspect the bidding record at any time. 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 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, 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); replies should normally be given by the partner of a player who made a enquiries and replies should be given privately and only to the player making the enquiry. 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 2. The declarer may request an explanation of a defender’s call or card play conventions. Enquiries and replies should be given privately. 3. Players are encouraged to volunteer an explanation of their own calls, particularly when their methods are not in general use. Such explanations should be given privately, to both opponents. 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. 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,without penalty, change a call when it is probable that he made thea 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.require that the board be skipped. 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). SECTION TWO AUCTION HAS ENDED LAW 22 - PROCEDURE AFTER THE AUCTION HAS ENDED After the auction period has ended, A. No Player Has Bid if no player has bid, thehands are returned to the board is complete 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. PART II IRREGULARITIES IN PROCEDURE 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.) SECTION ONE EXPOSED CARD, AUCTION PERIOD 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). SECTION TWO CHANGES OF CALLS LAW 25 - LEGAL AND ILLEGAL CHANGES OF CALL A. Immediate Correction of Inadvertency Until his partner makes a call, aA player may substitute his intended call for an inadvertent call but only if he does so,requests, or attempts to do so,request, an undo without pause for thought. If legal, his last call stands without penalty; if illegal, it is subject to the applicable Law.an opponent has made a call before the request is communicated, the board should be skipped unless the players otherwise agree. 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; 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 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. LAW 26 - CALL WITHDRAWN, 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: 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 at his first turn to lead, including the opening lead, such prohibition to continue for as long as offender’s partner retains the lead. SECTION THREE INSUFFICIENT BID 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. 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. SECTION FOUR CALL OUT OF ROTATION 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 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, (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. 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. SECTION FIVE INADMISSIBLE CALLS 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.) SECTION SIX CONVENTIONS AND AGREEMENTS 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’sSkip Option Ifthe Director decides that a side has been damaged through its opponents’ failure to explain ,when requested, the full meaning of a call or play, he may award an adjusted score.the side that has been damaged may, immediately upon becoming aware of the damage or potential for damage, require that the board be skipped. 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’a convention card. at his own turn to call or play, but not to his own. CHAPTER VI The Play PART I PROCEDURE SECTION ONE CORRECT PROCEDURE LAW 41 - COMMENCEMENT OF PLAY A. Face-down Opening LeadOpening 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 thedefender’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 playsDeclarer 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) 2. Look at Defender’s Hand Dummy may not, on his own initiative, look at the face of a card in either defender’s hand.may enter Spectator mode to watch the play of the hand, but having done so, must not leave and rejoin the table in non-Spectator mode prior to completion of the board unless requested to do so by an opponent or unless he has been disconnected, in which case he should re-enter Spectator mode without communicating about the board in play with any player. 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.any means permitted by the OKb Software. 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 soplay of a card if he requests, or attempts to request, an undo 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). The server of a table may declare this Law inoperative during a round by posting in advance a table note to that effect, such as "no undo’s in card play". The players may, by agreement, at any time during a round suspend the operation of this Law. 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. SECTION TWO IRREGULARITIES IN PROCEDURE 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 asif 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 Law 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 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