A. Auction Period Starts

The auction period on a deal begins for a side when either partner looks at the face of his cards.

 

B. The First Call

The player designated by the board as dealer makes the first call.

 

C. Successive Calls

The player to dealer's left makes the second call, and thereafter each player calls in turn in a clockwise rotation.

 

D. Cards from Wrong Board

If a player who has inadvertently picked up the cards from a wrong board makes a call, that call is canceled. If offender's LHO has called over the canceled 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 canceled call . If offender subsequently repeats the canceled 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 canceled call.

 

E. End of Auction Period

The auction period ends when all four players pass or when after three passes in rotation have followed any call the opening lead is faced (when a pass out of rotation has been accepted, see Law 34).

See Duplicate Decisions

Offender's LHO must repeat the previous call.
 

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: notrump, spades, hearts, diamonds, clubs.

 

F. Different Methods

Zonal Organizations may authorize different methods of making calls.

See Duplicate Decisions

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 - Unauthorized 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 -Unauthorized 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.

See Duplicate Decisions

A. Call Not Clearly Heard

A player who does not hear a call distinctly may forthwith require that it be repeated.

 

B. Review of Auction during Auction Period

During the auction period, a player is entitled to have all  previous calls restated when it is his turn to call, unless he is required by law to pass; Alerts should be included in the restatement.

 

C. Review after Final Pass

1. Opening Lead Inquiry

After the final pass either defender has the right to ask if it is his opening lead (see Law 47E and Law 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 Law 41C).

 

 

D. Who May Review the Auction

A request to have calls restated shall be responded to only by an opponent.

 

E. Correction of Error in Review

All players, including dummy or a player required by law to pass, are responsible for prompt correction of errors in restatement (see Law 12C1 when an uncorrected review causes damage).

 

F. Explanation of Calls

1. During the Auction

During the auction and before the final pass, any player, at his own turn to call, may request  a full explanation of the opponents' auction (questions may be asked about calls actually made or about relevant calls available but not made); replies should normally be given by the partner of a player who made a call in question (see Law 75C).

2. During the Play Period

After the final pass and throughout the play period, either defender at his own turn to play may request  an explanation of opposing auction. At his or dummy's turn to play, the declarer may request an explanation of a defender's call or card play conventions.

See Duplicate Decisions

See Director Tech File, More

A player may not ask for a partial restatement of previous calls and may not halt the review before it has been completed.

Law 16 may apply, and sponsoring organizations may establish regulations for written explanations.

A. Call Based on Caller's Misunderstanding

A player has no recourse if he has made a call on the basis of his own misunderstanding.

 

B. Call Based on Misinformation from an Opponent

1. Change of Call

Until the end of the auction period (see Law 17E), a player may, without penalty, change a call when it is probable that he made the call as a result of misinformation given to him by an opponent (failure to alert promptly to a conventional call or special understanding, where such alert is required by the sponsoring organization, is deemed misinformation), provided that his partner has not subsequently called.

2. Change of Call by Opponent Following Correction

When a player elects to change a call because of misinformation (as in 1., preceding), his LHO may then in turn change any subsequent call he may have made, without penalty (unless his withdrawn call conveyed such information as to damage the non-offending side, in which case the Director may assign an adjusted score). (For unauthorized 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).

See Duplicate Decisions

 

After the auction period has ended,

A. No Player Has Bid

if no player has bid, the hands are returned to the board without play. There shall not be a redeal.

 

B. One or More Players Have Bid

if any player has bid, the final bid becomes the contract, and play begins.

See Duplicate Decisions

 

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).

See Duplicate Decisions

See Director Tech File

 

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 honor and not prematurely led, there is no further penalty.

 

B. Single Card of Honor Rank or Card Prematurely Led

If it is a single card of honor 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).

See Duplicate Decisions
 

A. Immediate Correction of Inadvertency

Until his partner makes a call, a player may substitute his intended call for an inadvertent call but only if he does so, or attempts to do so, without pause for thought. If legal, his last call stands without penalty; if illegal, it is subject to the applicable Law.

 

B. Delayed or Purposeful Correction

Until LHO calls, a call may be substituted when Section A does not apply:

1. Substitute Call Condoned

The substituted call may be accepted (treated as legal) at the option of offender's LHO  ; 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 canceled, 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.

See Duplicate Decisions

See Director Tech File, More

When the original bid was insufficient, apply Law 27

The non-offending side receives the score achieved at the table.

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.

See Duplicate Decisions

A call repeated with a much different meaning shall be deemed a different call.

Declarer specifies the suit when offender's partner first has the lead.

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 canceled, 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.

See Duplicate Decisions

 

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 Canceling 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 penalize the call out of rotation, and the auction proceeds as though the opponent had not called at that turn, but Law 16C2 applies.

See Duplicate Decisions

A. Forfeiture of Right to Penalize

Following a call out of rotation, offender's LHO may elect to call, thereby forfeiting the right to penalize.

 

B. Out-of-Rotation Call Canceled

Otherwise, a call out of rotation is canceled (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 Law 30, Law 31 or Law 32.

 

C. Call out of Rotation Is Conventional

If a call out of rotation is conventional, the provisions of Law 30, Law 31, and Law 32 shall apply to the denominations specified, rather than the denominations named.

See Duplicate Decisions

When a player has passed out of rotation (and the call is canceled, 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.

See Duplicate Decisions

When a player has bid out of rotation (and the bid is canceled, 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.

See Duplicate Decisions

An illegal call by RHO is penalized as usual.

Later bids at LHO's turn to call are treated as changes of call, and Law 25 applies.

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 canceled, 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).

See Duplicate Decisions

A call made simultaneously with one made by the player whose turn it was to call is deemed to be a subsequent call.

See Duplicate Decisions

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 canceled, and the auction proceeds as though there had been no irregularity.

See Duplicate Decisions

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 canceled. 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 canceled; 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 canceled without penalty.

See Duplicate Decisions
 

Any double or redouble not permitted by Law 19 is canceled. 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.)

See Duplicate Decisions

A bid, double or redouble by a player who is required by law to pass is canceled, 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.)

See Duplicate Decisions

No play or score at a contract of more than seven is ever permissible. A bid of more than seven is canceled, 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.)

See Duplicate Decisions

A call made after the final pass of the auction is canceled, 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.)

See Duplicate Decisions
 

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 organization.

 

C. Director's Option

If the Director decides that a side has been damaged through its opponents' failure to explain the full meaning of a call or play, he may award an adjusted score.

 

D. Regulation of Conventions

The sponsoring organization may regulate the use of bidding or play conventions. Zonal organizations 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 organizations may delegate this responsibility.

 

E. Convention Card

1. Right to Prescribe

The sponsoring organization 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 judgment, only method).

2. Referring to Opponents' Convention Card

During the auction and play, any player except dummy may refer to his opponents' convention card at his own turn to call or play, but not to his own .

See Duplicate Decisions

See Director Tech File

A player is not entitled, during the auction and play periods, to any aids to his memory, calculation or technique. However, sponsoring organizations may designate unusual methods and allow written defenses against opponents' unusual methods to be referred to at the table.