The Play

PART I
PROCEDURE

SECTION ONE
CORRECT PROCEDURE

 

LAW 41
COMMENCEMENT OF PLAY

A. Face-down Opening Lead

After a bid, double or redouble has been followed by three passes in rotation, the defender on presumed declarer's left makes the opening lead face down . The face-down lead may be withdrawn only upon instruction of the Director after an irregularity (see Law 47E2); the withdrawn card must be returned to the defender's hand.

 

B. Review of Auction and Questions

Before the opening lead is faced, the leader's partner and the presumed declarer each may require a review of the auction, or request explanation of an opponent's call (see Law 20). Declarer or either defender may, at his first turn to play a card, require a review of the auction; this right expires when he plays a card. The defenders (subject to Law 16) and the declarer retain the right to request explanations throughout the play period, each at his own turn to play.

 

C. Opening Lead Faced

Following this question period, the opening lead is faced, the play period begins, and dummy's hand is spread. After it is too late to have previous calls restated (see B, above), declarer or either defender, at his own turn to play, is entitled to be informed as to what the contract is and whether, but not by whom, it was doubled or redoubled.

 

D. Dummy's Hand

After the opening lead is faced, dummy spreads his hand in front of him on the table, face up, sorted into suits, the cards in order of rank, in columns pointing lengthwise towards declarer, with trumps to dummy's right. Declarer plays both his hand and that of dummy.

See Duplicate Decisions

See Director Tech File

 

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Sponsoring organizations may specify that opening leads be made face up.

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.

See Duplicate Decisions   Director Tech File

LAW 43
DUMMY'S LIMITATIONS

Except as specified in Law 42:

A. Limitations on Dummy

1.  General Limitations

(a) Calling the Director

Unless attention has been drawn to an irregularity by another player, dummy should not initiate a call for the Director during play.

(b) Calling Attention to Irregularity

Dummy may not call attention to an irregularity during play.

(c) Participate in or Comment on Play

Dummy must not participate in the play, nor may he communicate anything about the play to declarer.

2. Limitations Carrying Specific Penalty

(a) Exchanging Hands

Dummy may not exchange hands with declarer.

(b) Leave Seat to Watch Declarer

Dummy may not leave his seat to watch declarer's play of the hand.

(c) Look at Defender's Hand

Dummy may not, on his own initiative, look at the face of a card in either defender's hand.

 

 

B. Penalties for Violation

1. General Penalties

Dummy is liable to penalty under Law 90 for any violation of the limitations listed in A1 or A2 preceding.

2. Specific Penalties

If dummy, after violation of the limitations listed in A2 preceding:

(a) Warns Declarer on Lead

warns declarer not to lead from the wrong hand, (penalty) either defender may choose the hand from which declarer shall lead.

(b) Asks Declarer about Possible Irregularity

is the first to ask declarer if a play from declarer's hand constitutes a revoke, declarer must substitute a correct card if his play was illegal, and the penalty provisions of Law 64 apply as if the revoke had been established.

3. Draws Attention to Defender's Irregularity

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.

See Duplicate Decisions

See Director Tech File

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.

See Duplicate Decisions

LAW 45
CARD PLAYED

A. Play of Card from a Hand

Each player except dummy plays a card by detaching it from his hand and facing it on the table immediately before him.

 

B. Play of Card from Dummy

Declarer plays a card from dummy by naming the card, after which dummy picks up the card and faces it on the table. In playing from dummy's hand declarer may, if necessary, pick up the desired card himself.

 

C. Compulsory Play of Card

1. Defender's Card

A defender's card held so that it is possible for his partner to see its face must be played to the current trick (if the defender has already made a legal play to the current trick, see Law 45E).

2. Declarer's Card

Declarer must play a card from his hand held face up, touching or nearly touching the table, or maintained in such a position as to indicate that it has been played.

3. Dummy's Card

A card in the dummy must be played if it has been deliberately touched by declarer except for the purpose of arranging dummy's cards, or of reaching a card above or below the card or cards touched.

4. Named or Designated Card

(a) Play of Named Card

A card must be played if a player names or otherwise designates it as the card he proposed to play.

(b)  Correction of Inadvertent Designation

A player may, without penalty, change an inadvertent designation if he does so without pause for thought; but if an opponent has, in turn, played a card that was legal before the change in designation, that opponent may withdraw without penalty the card so played and substitute another (see Law 47E).

5. Penalty Card

A penalty card, major or minor, may have to be played, subject to Law 50.

 

D. Card Misplayed by Dummy

If dummy places in the played position a card that declarer did not name, the card must be withdrawn if attention is drawn to it before each side has played to the next trick, and a defender may withdraw (without penalty) a card played after the error but before attention was drawn to it; if declarer's RHO changes his play, declarer may withdraw a card he had subsequently played to that trick (see Law 16C2).

 

E. Fifth Card Played to Trick

1. By a Defender

A fifth card contributed to a trick by a defender becomes a penalty card, subject to Law 50, unless the Director deems that it was led, in which case Law 53 or Law 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.

See Duplicate Decisions

See Director Tech File, More,

 

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The opening lead is first made face down (unless the sponsoring organization directs otherwise).

 

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.

See Duplicate Decisions

LAW 47
RETRACTION OF CARD PLAYED

A. To Comply with Penalty

A card once played may be withdrawn to comply with a penalty (but a defender's withdrawn card may become a penalty card - see Law 49).

 

B. To Correct an Illegal Play

A played card may be withdrawn to correct an illegal or simultaneous play (see Law 58 for simultaneous play; and, for defenders, see Law 49, penalty card).

 

C. To Change an Inadvertent Designation

A played card may be withdrawn without penalty after a change of designation as permitted by Law 45C4(b).

 

D. Following Opponent's Change of Play

After an opponent's change of play, a played card may be withdrawn without penalty (but see 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, but only if no card was subsequently played to that trick. An opening lead may not be retracted after dummy has faced any card.

(b) One or More Subsequent Plays Made

When it is too late to correct a play, under (a) preceding, Law 40C applies.

 

 

F. Illegal Retraction

Except as provided in A through E preceding, a card once played may not be withdrawn.

See Duplicate Decisions

 

PART II
PENALTY CARD

LAW 48
EXPOSURE OF DECLARER'S CARDS

A. Declarer Exposes a Card

Declarer is not subject to penalty for exposing a card, and no card of declarer's or dummy's hand ever becomes a penalty card. Declarer is not required to play any card dropped accidentally.

 

B. Declarer Faces Cards

1. After Opening Lead out of Turn

When declarer faces his cards after an opening lead out of turn, Law 54 applies.

2. At Any Other Time

When declarer faces his cards at any time other than immediately after an opening lead out of turn, he may be deemed to have made a claim or concession of tricks, and Law 68 then applies.

See Duplicate Decisions

LAW 49
EXPOSURE OF A DEFENDER'S CARDS

Except in the normal course of play or application of law, when a defender's card is in a position in which his partner could possibly see its face, or when a defender names a card as being in his hand, (penalty) each such card becomes a penalty card (Law 50); but see the footnote to Law 68, when a defender has made a statement concerning an uncompleted trick currently in progress.

See Duplicate Decisions

LAW 50
DISPOSITION OF PENALTY CARD

A card prematurely exposed (but not led, see Law 57) by a defender is a penalty card unless the Director designates otherwise. The Director shall award an adjusted score, in lieu of the rectifications below, when he deems that Law 72B1 applies.

 

A. Penalty Card Remains Exposed

A penalty card must be left face up on the table immediately before the player to whom it belongs, until an alternate penalty has been selected.

 

B. Major or Minor Penalty Card?

A single card below the rank of an honor and exposed inadvertently (as in playing two cards to a trick, or in dropping a card accidentally) becomes a minor penalty card. Any card of honor rank, or any card exposed through deliberate play (as in leading out of turn, or in revoking and then correcting), becomes a major penalty card; when one defender has two or more penalty cards, all such cards become major penalty cards.

 

C. Disposition of Minor Penalty Card

When a defender has a minor penalty card, he may not play any other card of the same suit below the rank of an honor until he has first played the penalty card (however, he is entitled to play an honor card instead). Offender's partner is not subject to lead penalty, but information gained through seeing the penalty card is extraneous and unauthorized (see Law 16A).

 

D. Disposition of Major Penalty Card

When a defender has a major penalty card, both the offender and his partner may be subject to restriction, the offender whenever he is to play, the partner when he is to lead.

1. Offender to Play

A major penalty card must be played at the first legal opportunity, whether in leading, following suit, discarding or trumping (the requirement that offender must play the card is authorized information for his partner; however, other information arising from facing of the penalty card is unauthorized for partner). If a defender has two or more penalty cards that can legally be played, declarer designates which is to be played. The obligation to follow suit, or to comply with a lead or play penalty, takes precedence over the obligation to play a major penalty card, but the penalty card must still be left face up on the table and played at the next legal opportunity.

2. Offender's Partner to Lead

When a defender has the lead while his partner has a major penalty card, he may not lead until declarer has stated which of the options below is selected (if the defender leads prematurely, he is subject to penalty under Law 49). Declarer may choose:

(a) Require or Forbid Lead of Suit

to require the defender to lead the suit of the penalty card, or to prohibit him from leading that suit for as long as he retains the lead (for two or more penalty cards, see Law 51); if declarer exercises this option, the card is no longer a penalty card, and is picked up.

(b) No Lead Restriction

not to require or prohibit a lead, in which case the defender may lead any card; the penalty card remains a penalty card.

See Duplicate Decisions

See Director Tech File

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If the player is unable to lead as required, see Law 59.

LAW 51
TWO OR MORE PENALTY CARDS

A. Offender to Play

If a defender has two or more penalty cards that can legally be played, declarer designates which is to be played at that turn.

 

B. Offender's Partner to Lead

1. Penalty Cards in Same Suit

(a) Declarer Requires Lead of That Suit

When a defender has two or more penalty cards in one suit, and declarer requires the defender's partner to lead that suit, the cards of that suit are no longer penalty cards and are picked up; the defender may make any legal play to the trick.

(b) Declarer Prohibits Lead of That Suit

If the declarer prohibits the lead of that suit, the defender picks up every penalty card in that suit and may make any legal play to the trick.

2. Penalty Cards in More Than One Suit

(a) Declarer Requires Lead of a Specified Suit

When a defender has penalty cards in more than one suit, declarer may require the defender's partner to lead any suit in which the defender has a penalty card (but B1(a) preceding then applies).

(b) Declarer Prohibits Lead of Specified Suits

When a defender has penalty cards in more than one suit, declarer may prohibit the defender's partner from leading one or more of such suits; but the defender then picks up every penalty card in every suit prohibited by declarer and makes any legal play to the trick.

See Duplicate Decisions

 

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If the player is unable to lead as required, see Law 59.

LAW 52
FAILURE TO LEAD OR PLAY A PENALTY CARD

A. Defender Fails to Play Penalty Card

When a defender fails to lead or play a penalty card as required by Law 50 , he may not, on his own initiative, withdraw any other card he has played.

 

B. Defender Plays Another Card

1. Play of Card Accepted

(a) Declarer May Accept Play

If a defender has led or played another card when required by Law to play a penalty card, declarer may accept such lead or play.

(b) Declarer Must Accept Play

Declarer must accept such lead or play if he has thereafter played from his own hand or dummy.

(c) Penalty Card Remains Penalty Card

If the played card is accepted under either (a) or (b) preceding, the unplayed penalty card remains a penalty card.

2. Play of Card Rejected

Declarer may require the defender to substitute the penalty card for the card illegally played or led. Every card illegally led or played by the defender in the course of committing the irregularity becomes a major penalty card.

See Duplicate Decisions

 

PART III
IRREGULAR LEADS AND PLAYS

SECTION ONE
LEAD OUT OF TURN

LAW 53
LEAD OUT OF TURN ACCEPTED

A. Lead out of Turn Treated as Correct Lead

Any lead faced out of turn may be treated as a correct lead. It becomes a correct lead if declarer or either defender, as the case may be, accepts it (by making a statement to that effect), or if the player next in rotation plays to the irregular lead, but see Law 47E1. (If no acceptance statement or play is made, the Director will require that the lead be made from the correct hand.)

 

B. Wrong Defender Plays Card to Declarer's Irregular Lead

If the defender at the right of the hand from which the lead out of turn was made plays to the irregular lead, the lead stands and Law 57 applies.

 

C. Proper Lead Made Subsequent to Irregular Lead

If it was properly the turn to lead of an opponent of the player who led out of turn, that opponent may make his proper lead to the trick of the infraction without his card being deemed played to the irregular lead. When this occurs, the proper lead stands, and all cards played in error to this trick may be withdrawn without penalty. (Law 16C2 applies to a defender.)

See Duplicate Decisions

 

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But see C below.

LAW 54
FACED OPENING LEAD OUT OF TURN

When an opening lead is faced out of turn, and offender's partner leads face down, the Director requires the face down lead to be retracted, and the following sections apply.

 

A. Declarer Spreads His Hand

After a faced opening lead out of turn, declarer may spread his hand; he becomes dummy, and dummy becomes declarer. If declarer begins to spread his hand, and in doing so exposes one or more cards, he must spread his entire hand.

 

B. Declarer Accepts Lead

When a defender faces the opening lead out of turn declarer may accept the irregular lead as provided in Law 53, and dummy is spread in accordance with Law 41.

1. Declarer Plays Second Card

The second card to the trick is played from declarer's hand.

2. Dummy Has Played Second Card

If declarer plays the second card to the trick from dummy, dummy's card may not be withdrawn except to correct a revoke.

 

 

C. Declarer Must Accept Lead

If declarer could have seen any of dummy's cards (except cards that dummy may have exposed during the auction and that were subject to Law 24), he must accept the lead.

 

D. Declarer Refuses Opening Lead

When declarer requires the defender to retract his faced opening lead out of turn, Law 56 applies.

See Duplicate Decisions

LAW 55
DECLARER'S LEAD OUT OF TURN

A. Declarer's Lead Accepted

If declarer has led out of turn from his or dummy's hand, either defender may accept the lead as provided in Law 53, or require its retraction (after misinformation, see Law 47E1).

 

B. Declarer Required to Retract Lead

1. Defender's Turn to Lead

If declarer has led from his or dummy's hand when it was a defender's turn to lead, and if either defender requires him to retract such lead, declarer restores the card led in error to the proper hand without penalty.

2. Lead in Declarer's Hand or Dummy's

If declarer has led from the wrong hand when it was his turn to lead from his hand or dummy's, and if either defender requires him to retract the lead, he withdraws the card led in error. He must lead from the correct hand.

 

 

C. Declarer Might Obtain Information

When declarer adopts a line of play that could have been based on information obtained through the infraction, the Director may award an adjusted score.

See Duplicate Decisions

See Director Tech File

LAW 56
DEFENDER'S LEAD OUT OF TURN

When declarer requires a defender to retract his faced lead out of turn, the card illegally led becomes a major penalty card, and Law 50D applies.

See Duplicate Decisions

See Director Tech File
 

SECTION TWO
OTHER IRREGULAR LEADS AND PLAYS

LAW 57
PREMATURE LEAD OR PLAY BY DEFENDER

A. Premature Play or Lead to Next Trick

When a defender leads to the next trick before his partner has played to the current trick, or plays out of turn before his partner has played, (penalty) the card so led or played becomes a penalty card, and declarer selects one of the following options. He may:

1. Highest Card

require offender's partner to play the highest card he holds of the suit led, or

2. Lowest Card

require offender's partner to play the lowest card he holds of the suit led, or

3. Card of Another Suit

forbid offender's partner to play a card of another suit specified by declarer.

 

 

B. Offender's Partner Cannot Comply with Penalty

When offender's partner is unable to comply with the penalty selected by declarer, he may play any card, as provided in Law 59.

 

C. Declarer Has Played from Both Hands before Irregularity

A defender is not subject to penalty for playing before his partner if declarer has played from both hands, or if dummy has played a card or has illegally suggested that it be played. A singleton in dummy, or one of cards adjacent in rank of the same suit, is not considered to be automatically played.

See Duplicate Decisions

LAW 58
SIMULTANEOUS LEADS OR PLAYS

A. Simultaneous Plays by Two Players

A lead or play made simultaneously with another player's legal lead or play is deemed to be subsequent to it.

 

B. Simultaneous Cards from One Hand

If a player leads or plays two or more cards simultaneously:

1. One Card Visible

If only one card is visible, that card is played; all other cards are picked up without penalty.

2. More Cards Visible

If more than one card is visible, the player designates the card he proposes to play; when he is a defender, each other card exposed becomes a penalty card (see Law 50).

3. After Visible Card Withdrawn

After a player withdraws a visible card, an opponent who subsequently played to that card may withdraw his play and substitute another without penalty (see Law 16C).

4. Error Not Discovered

If the simultaneous play remains undiscovered until both sides have played to the next trick, Law 67 applies.

See Duplicate Decisions

LAW 59
INABILITY TO LEAD OR PLAY AS REQUIRED

A player may play any otherwise legal card if he is unable to lead or play as required to comply with a penalty, whether because he holds no card of the required suit, or because he has only cards of a suit he is prohibited from leading, or because he is obliged to follow suit.

See Duplicate Decisions

LAW 60
PLAY AFTER AN ILLEGAL PLAY

A. Play of Card after Irregularity

1. Forfeiture of Right to Penalize

A play by a member of the non-offending side after his RHO has led or played out of turn or prematurely, and before a penalty has been assessed, forfeits the right to penalize that offense.

2. Irregularity Legalized

Once the right to penalize has been forfeited, the illegal play is treated as though it were in turn (but Law 53C applies to the player whose turn it was).

3. Other Penalty Obligations Remain

If the offending side has a previous obligation to play a penalty card, or to comply with a lead or play penalty, the obligation remains at future turns.

 

 

B. Defender Plays before Required Lead by Declarer

When a defender plays a card after declarer has been required to retract his lead out of turn from either hand, but before declarer has led from the correct hand, the defender's card becomes a penalty card (Law 50).

 

C. Play by Offending Side before Assessment of Penalty

A play by a member of the offending side before a penalty has been assessed does not affect the rights of the opponents, and may itself be subject to penalty.

See Duplicate Decisions

 

SECTION THREE
THE REVOKE

LAW 61
FAILURE TO FOLLOW SUIT - INQUIRIES CONCERNING A REVOKE

A. Definition of Revoke

Failure to follow suit in accordance with Law 44 or failure to lead or play, when able, a card or suit required by law or specified by an opponent in accordance with an agreed penalty, constitutes a revoke (but see Law 59 when unable to comply).

 

B. Right to Inquire about a Possible Revoke

Declarer may ask a defender who has failed to follow suit whether he has a card of the suit led (but a claim of revoke does not automatically warrant inspection of quitted tricks - see Law 66C). Dummy may ask declarer (but see Law 43B2(b)). Defenders may ask declarer but, unless the zonal organization so authorizes, not one another.

NOTE:

The ACBL Board of Directors under the authority granted in the revised Law61B, has ruled that in ACBL sanctioned events, a defender may inquire of his partner whether he has a card of the suit led.

See Duplicate Decisions

LAW 62
CORRECTION OF A REVOKE

A. Revoke Must Be Corrected

A player must correct his revoke if he becomes aware of the irregularity before it becomes established.

 

B. Correcting a Revoke

To correct a revoke, the offender withdraws the card he played in revoking and follows suit with any card.

1. Defender's Card

A card so withdrawn becomes a penalty card (Law 50) if it was played from a defender's unfaced hand.

2. Declarer's or Dummy's Card, Defender's Faced Card

The card may be replaced without penalty if it was played from declarer's or dummy's hand , or if it was a defender's faced card.

 

 

C. Subsequent Cards Played to Trick

1. By Non-offending Side

Each member of the non-offending side may, without penalty, withdraw any card he may have played after the revoke but before attention was drawn to it (see Law 16C).

2.  By Partner of Offender

After a non-offender so withdraws a card, the hand of the offending side next in rotation may withdraw its played card, which becomes a penalty card if the player is a defender (see Law 16C).

 

 

D. Revoke on Trick Twelve

1. Must be Corrected

On the twelfth trick, a revoke, even if established, must be corrected if discovered before all four hands have been returned to the board.

2. Offender's Partner Had Not Played to Trick Twelve

If a revoke by a defender occurred before it was the turn of his partner to play to the twelfth trick, and if offender's partner has cards of two suits, (penalty) offender's partner may not choose the play that could possibly have been suggested by seeing the revoke card.

See Duplicate Decisions

 

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Subject to Law 43B2(b) , when dummy has forfeited his rights. A claim of revoke does not warrant inspection of quitted tricks except as permitted in Law 66C.

LAW 63
ESTABLISHMENT OF A REVOKE

A. Revoke Becomes Established

A revoke becomes established:

1. Offending Side Leads or Plays to Next Trick

when the offender or his partner leads or plays to the following trick (any such play, legal or illegal, establishes the revoke).

2. A Member of Offending Side Indicates a Lead or Play

when the offender or his partner names or otherwise designates a card to be played to the following trick.

3. Member of Offending Side Makes a Claim or Concession

when a member of the offending side makes or acquiesces in a claim or concession of tricks orally or by facing his hand (or in any other fashion).

 

B. Attention Is Illegally Drawn

When there has been a violation of Law 61B, the revoker must substitute a legal card and the penalty provisions of Law 64 apply as if the revoke had been established.

 

 

C. Revoke May Not Be Corrected

Once a revoke is established, it may no longer be corrected (except as provided in Law 62D for a revoke on the twelfth trick), and the trick on which the revoke occurred stands as played (but see Law 43B2(b)).

See Duplicate Decisions

See Director Tech File

LAW 64
PROCEDURE AFTER ESTABLISHMENT OF A REVOKE

A. Penalty Assessed

When a revoke is established:

1. Offending Player Won Revoke Trick

and the trick on which the revoke occurred was won by the offending player, (penalty) after play ceases, the trick on which the revoke occurred, plus one of any subsequent tricks won by the offending side, are transferred to the non-offending side.

2. Offending Player Did Not Win Revoke Trick

and the trick on which the revoke occurred was not won by the offending player, then, if the offending side won that or any subsequent trick, (penalty) after play ceases, one trick is transferred to the non-offending side; also, if an additional trick was subsequently won by the offending player with a card that he could legally have played to the revoke trick, one such trick is transferred to the non-offending side.

 

 

B. No Penalty Assessed

The penalty for an established revoke does not apply:

1. Offending Side Fails to Win Revoke Trick or Subsequent Trick

if the offending side did not win either the revoke trick or any subsequent trick.

2. Second Revoke in Same Suit by Offender

to a subsequent revoke in the same suit by the same player.

3. Revoke by Failure to Play a Faced Card

if the revoke was made in failing to play any card faced on the table or belonging to a hand faced on the table, including a card from dummy's hand.

4. After Non-offending Side Calls to Next Deal

if attention was first drawn to the revoke after a member of the non-offending side has made a call on the subsequent deal.

5. After Round Has Ended

if attention was first drawn to the revoke after the round has ended.

6. Revoke on Twelfth Trick

to a revoke on the twelfth trick.

 

 

C. Director Responsible for Equity

When, after any established revoke, including those not subject to penalty, the Director deems that the non-offending side is insufficiently compensated by this Law for the damage caused, he shall assign an adjusted score.

See Duplicate Decisions

See Director Tech File

 

PART IV
TRICKS

LAW 65
ARRANGEMENT OF TRICKS

A. Completed Trick

When four cards have been played to a trick, each player turns his own card face down near him on the table.

 

B. Keeping Track of the Ownership of Tricks

1. Tricks Won

If the player's side has won the trick, the card is pointed lengthwise toward his partner.

2. Tricks Lost

If the opponents have won the trick, the card is pointed lengthwise toward the opponents.

See Duplicate Decisions

See Director Tech File

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The Director should avoid, when possible, exposing a defender's played cards, but if an extra card to be restored to a defender's hand has been exposed, it becomes a penalty card (see Law 50).

 

LAW 66
INSPECTION OF TRICKS

A. Current Trick

So long as his side has not led or played to the next trick, declarer or either defender may, until he has turned his own card face down on the table, require that all cards just played to the trick be faced.

 

B. Own Last Card

Until a card is led to the next trick, declarer or either defender may inspect, but not expose, his own last card played.

 

C. Quitted Tricks

Thereafter, until play ceases, quitted tricks may not be inspected (except at the Director's specific instruction; for example, to verify a claim of a revoke).

 

D. After the Conclusion of Play

After play ceases, the played and unplayed cards may be inspected to settle a claim of a revoke, or of the number of tricks won or lost; but no player should handle cards other than his own. If, after such a claim has been made, a player mixes his cards in such a manner that the Director can no longer ascertain the facts, the Director shall rule in favor of the other side.

See Duplicate Decisions

LAW 67
DEFECTIVE TRICK

A. Before Both Sides Play to Next Trick

When a player has omitted to play to a trick, or has played too many cards to a trick, the error must be rectified if attention is drawn to the irregularity before a player on each side has played to the following trick.

1. Player Failed to Play Card

To rectify omission to play to a trick, the offender supplies a card he can legally play.

2. Player Contributed Too Many Cards

To rectify the play of too many cards to a trick, Law 45E (Fifth Card Played to a Trick) or Law 58B (Simultaneous Cards from One Hand) shall be applied.

 

 

B. After Both Sides Play to Next Trick

After both sides have played to the following trick, when attention is drawn to a defective trick or when the Director determines that there had been a defective trick (from the fact that one player has too few or too many cards in his hand, and a correspondingly incorrect number of played cards), the Director establishes which trick was defective. To rectify the number of cards, the Director should proceed as follows.

1. Offender Has Too Many Cards

When the offender has failed to play a card to the defective trick, the Director shall require him forthwith to face a card, and to place it appropriately among his played cards (this card does not affect ownership of the trick); if

(a) Offender Has Card of Suit Led

the offender has a card of the suit led to the defective trick, he must choose such a card to place among his played cards, and there is no penalty;

(b) Has No Card of Suit Led

the offender has no card of the suit led to the defective trick, he chooses any card to place among his played cards, and (penalty) he is deemed to have revoked on the defective trick - he may be subject to the one-trick penalty of Law 64.

2. Offender Has Too Few Cards

When the offender has played more than one card to the defective trick, the Director inspects the played cards and requires the offender to restore to his hand all extra cards , leaving among the played cards the one faced in playing to the defective trick (if the Director is unable to determine which card was faced, the offender leaves the highest of the cards that he could legally have played to the trick). A restored card is deemed to have belonged continuously to the offender's hand, and a failure to have played it to an earlier trick may constitute a revoke.

See Duplicate Decisions

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The Director should avoid, when possible, exposing a defender's played cards, but if an extra card to be restored to a defender's hand has been exposed, it becomes a penalty card (see Law 50).

 

PART V
CLAIMS AND CONCESSIONS

LAW 68
CLAIM OR CONCESSION OF TRICKS

For a statement or action to constitute a claim or concession of tricks under these Laws, it must refer to tricks other than one currently in progress . If it does refer to subsequent tricks:

 

A. Claim Defined

Any statement to the effect that a contestant will win a specific number of tricks is a claim of those tricks. A contestant also claims when he suggests that play be curtailed, or when he shows his cards (unless he demonstrably did not intend to claim).

 

B. Concession Defined

Any statement to the effect that a contestant will lose a specific number of tricks is a concession of those tricks; a claim of some number of tricks is a concession of the remainder, if any. A player concedes all the remaining tricks when he abandons his hand. Regardless of the foregoing, if a defender attempts to concede one or more tricks and his partner immediately objects, no concession has occurred; Law 16, Unauthorized Information, may apply, so the Director should be summoned forthwith.

 

C. Clarification Required for Claim

A claim should be accompanied at once by a statement of clarification as to the order in which cards will be played, the line of play or defense through which the claimer proposes to win the tricks claimed.

 

D. Play Ceases

After any claim or concession, play ceases. All play subsequent to a claim or concession shall be voided by the Director. If the claim or concession is acquiesced in, Law 69 applies; if it is disputed by any player (dummy included), the Director must be summoned immediately to apply Law 70 or Law 71, and no action may be taken pending the Director's arrival.

See Duplicate Decisions

See Director Tech File

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If the statement or action pertains only to the winning or losing of an uncompleted trick currently in progress, play proceeds regularly; cards exposed or revealed by a defender do not become penalty cards, but Law 16, Unauthorized Information, may apply, and see Law 57A, Premature Play.

LAW 69
ACQUIESCENCE IN CLAIM OR CONCESSION

A. When Acquiescence Occurs

Acquiescence occurs when a contestant assents to an opponent's claim or concession, and raises no objection to it before his side makes a call on a subsequent board, or before the round ends. The board is scored as though the tricks claimed or conceded had been won or lost in play.

 

B. Acquiescence in Claim Withdrawn

Within the correction period established in accordance with Law 79C, a contestant may withdraw acquiescence in an opponent's claim, but only if he has acquiesced in the loss of a trick his side has actually won, or in the loss of trick that could not, in the Director's judgment, be lost by any normal play of the remaining cards. The board is rescored with such trick awarded to the acquiescing side.

See Duplicate Decisions
 

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For the purposes of Laws 69, 70, and 71, ``normal'' includes play that would be careless or inferior for the class of player involved, but not irrational.

LAW 70
CONTESTED CLAIMS

A. General Objective

In ruling on a contested claim, the Director adjudicates the result of the board as equitably as possible to both sides, but any doubtful points shall be resolved against the claimer. The Director proceeds as follows.

 

B. Clarification Statement Repeated

1. Require Claimer to Repeat Statement

The Director requires claimer to repeat the clarification statement he made at the time of his claim.

2. Require All Hands to Be Faced

Next, the Director requires all players to put their remaining cards face up on the table.

3. Hear Objections

The Director then hears the opponents' objections to the claim.

 

 

C. There Is an Outstanding Trump

When a trump remains in one of the opponents' hands, the Director shall award a trick or tricks to the opponents if:

1. Failed to Mention Trump

claimer made no statement about that trump, and

2. Was Probably Unaware of Trump

it is at all likely that claimer at the time of his claim was unaware that a trump remained in an opponent's hand, and

3. Could Lose a Trick to the Trump

a trick could be lost to that trump by any normal play.

 

 

D. Claimer Proposes New Line of Play

The Director shall not accept from claimer any successful line of play not embraced in the original clarification statement if there is an alternative normal line of play that would be less successful.

 

E. Unstated Line of Play (Finesse or Drop)

The Director shall not accept from claimer any unstated line of play the success of which depends upon finding one opponent rather than the other with a particular card, unless an opponent failed to follow to the suit of that card before the claim was made, or would subsequently fail to follow to that suit on any normal line of play; or unless failure to adopt this line of play would be irrational.

See Duplicate Decisions
 

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For the purposes of Laws 69, 70, and 71, ``normal'' includes play that would be careless or inferior for the class of player involved, but not irrational.

LAW 71
CONCESSION CANCELED

A concession must stand, once made, except that within the correction period established in accordance with Law 79C, the Director shall cancel a concession

 

A. Trick Cannot be Lost

if a player has conceded a trick his side had, in fact, won, or a trick his side could not have lost by any legal play of the remaining cards.

 

B. Contract Already Fulfilled or Defeated

if declarer has conceded defeat of a contract he had already fulfilled, or a defender has conceded fulfillment of a contract his side had already defeated.

 

C. Implausible Concession

if a player has conceded a trick that cannot be lost by any normal play of the remaining cards. Until the conceding side makes a call on a subsequent board, or until the round ends, the Director shall cancel the concession of a trick that could not have been lost by any normal play of the remaining cards.

See Duplicate Decisions

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For the purposes of Laws 69, 70, and 71, ``normal'' includes play that would be careless or inferior for the class of player involved, but not irrational