The Play
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face-down lead may be withdrawn only upon instruction of the Director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Law 47E2); the withdrawn card must be returned to the defender's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.
* A Regulating Authority may specify that opening leads be made face
up.
- 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.
** Declarer’s first turn to play is from dummy unless accepting an
opening lead out of turn.
- C. Opening Lead Faced
- Following this clarification period, the opening lead is faced, the
play period begins irrevocably, and dummy’s hand is spread (but see Law
54A for a faced opening lead out of turn). 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.
(Old 1997 Laws)
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
with lowest ranking cards towards declarer, and in columns pointing
lengthwise towards declarer. Trumps are placed to dummy’s right.
Declarer plays both his hand and that of dummy.
(Old 1997 Law)
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
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
- Dummy may keep count of tricks won and lost in accordance with Law
65B.
- (Old 1997 Law)
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).
*Declarer may inquire at his turn to play from dummy or from his
own hand
- 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. If a Violation Occurs
-
- 1. Dummy is liable to penalty under Law 90 for any violation of
the limitations listed in A1 and A2 above.
2. If dummy, after his violation of the limitations listed in A2
above, (a) warns declarer not to lead from the wrong hand, either
defender may choose the hand from which declarer shall lead. (b) 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 provisions of Law 64 then apply as if the revoke had
been established.
3. I f dummy, after his violation of the limitations listed in A2
above, is the first to draw attention to a defender’s irregularity,
there is no rectification. Play continues as though no irregularity
had occurred. At the end of play, see Law 12B1.
- (Old 1997 Law)
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 Laws 45 and
65 respectively.)
- 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 lead to the next trick is from the hand in which the last trick
was won.
(Old 1997 Law)
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.
* The opening lead is first made face down unless the Regulating
Authority directs otherwise.
- 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 if it is (a) held face up,
touching or nearly touching the table; or (b) maintained in such a
position as to indicate that it has been played.
(Old 1997 Law)
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
- Until his partner has played a card, a player may change an
unintended designation if he does so without pause for thought. If
an opponent has, in turn, played a card that was legal before the
change in designation, that opponent may withdraw the card so
played, return it to his hand, and substitute another (see Laws 47D
and 16D1).
(Old 1997 Law)
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 and
return to his hand 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 16D).
(Old 1997 Law)
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 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, it is returned to the hand without further
rectification unless the Director deems that it was led, in which case
Law 55 applies.
(Old 1997 Law)
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 and
informed of the action. Play continues. At the end of the play the
Director shall award an adjusted score if he considers dummy suggested a
play to declarer and the defenders were damaged by the play suggested.
(Old 1997 Law)
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,
The opening lead is first made face down (unless
the sponsoring organization directs otherwise).
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
- (a) If declarer in playing from dummy calls “high”, or words of
like meaning, he is deemed to have called the highest card.
(b) I f he directs dummy to “win” the trick he is deemed to have
called the lowest card that it is known will win the trick. (c) I f he
calls “low”, or words of like meaning, he is deemed to have called the
lowest card.
(Old 1997 Law)
- 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. In Course of Rectification
- A card once played may be withdrawn when required by rectification
following an irregularity (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 play. For defenders, except as this law
provides, see Law 49 — penalty card. For simultaneous play, see Law 58.
C. To Change an Inadvertent Designation A played
card may be withdrawn and returned to the hand without further
rectification after a change of designation permitted by Law 45C4(b).
D. Following an Opponent’s Change of Play After an
opponent’s change of play, a played card may be withdrawn and returned to
the hand without further rectification and another card may be
substituted. (Laws 16D and 62C2 may apply.)
E. Change of Play Based on Misinformation
-
- 1. A lead out of turn (or play of a card) may be retracted without
further rectification if the player was mistakenly informed by an
opponent that it was his turn to lead or play. A lead or play may not
be accepted by his LHO in this circumstance.
2.(a) 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 without further rectification, 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) When it is too late to correct a play under 2(a) above, the
Director may award an adjusted score.
F. Other Retraction
-
1. A card may be withdrawn as Law 53C provides.
2. Except as this law specifies, a card once played may not be
withdrawn.
(Old 1997 Law)
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
LAW 48
EXPOSURE OF DECLARER'S CARDS
- A. Declarer Exposes a Card
- Declarer Exposes a Card
Declarer is not subject to restriction for exposing a card (but see Law
45C2), 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.
(Old 1997 Law)
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 (unless he demonstrably did not intend
to claim), 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,
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, and see Law 68B2
when partner objects to a defender’s concession.
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 (see Law 49, and Law
23 may apply).
(Old 1997 Law)
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 a rectification has been selected.
(Old 1997 Law)
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 exposed unintentionally (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 (for example 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.
(Old 1997 Law)
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, but he is entitled to play an honor card
instead. Offender’s partner is not subject to lead restriction, but
information gained through seeing the penalty card is unauthorized (see
E below).
(Old 1997 Law)
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. (a) A major penalty card must be played at the first legal
opportunity, whether in leading, following suit, discarding or
trumping. If a defender has two or more penalty cards that can legally
be played, declarer designates which is to be played.
(b) T he obligation to follow suit or to comply with a lead or play
restriction 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. 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
rectification under Law 49). Declarer may choose:
(a) 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
either of these options, the card is no longer a penalty card and is
picked up.
(b) not to require or prohibit a lead, in which case the defender may
lead any card; the penalty card remains a penalty card**. If this
option is selected, Law 50D continues to apply for as long as the
penalty card remains.
(Old 1997 Law)
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.
E. Information from a Penalty Card
- 1. Knowledge of the requirements for playing a penalty card is
authorized information for all players.
2. Other information derived from the sight of a penalty card is
unauthorized for the partner of the player who has the penalty card (but
authorized for declarer).
3. If the Director judges that the exposed card conveyed such
information as to damage the non-offending side he shall award an
adjusted score.
* If the player is unable to lead as required, see Law
59.
** If the partner of the defender with the penalty card
retains the lead, and the penalty card has not yet been played, then all
the requirements and options of Law 50D2 apply again at the following
trick.
-
See Duplicate
Decisions
See Director Tech File
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
- When a defender has two or more penalty cards in one suit, and
declarer prohibits* the defender’s partner from leading 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. The
prohibition continues until the defender’s partner loses the lead.
- (Old 1997 Law)
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 (see Law
50D2(a)) and his partner is to lead, declarer may require* the
defender’s partner to lead any suit in which the defender has a
penalty card, but B1(a) above then applies.
(Old 1997 Law)
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 and his
partner is to lead, declarer may prohibit* the defender’s partner
from leading one or more of such suits; the defender then picks up
every penalty card in every suit prohibited by declarer and makes
any legal play to the trick. The prohibition continues until the
defender’s partner loses the lead.
(Old 1997 Law)
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.
* If the player is unable to lead as required, see Law 59.
See Duplicate
Decisions
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
- f declarer does not accept the card illegally played or led, the
defender must 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.
(Old 1997 Law)
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
LAW 53
LEAD OUT OF TURN ACCEPTED
- A. Lead out of Turn Treated as Correct Lead
- Lead Out of Turn Treated as Correct Lead Any lead faced out of turn
may be treated as a correct lead (but see Law 47E1). 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 a play is made from the
hand next in rotation to the irregular lead (but see C). If there is no
such acceptance or play, the Director will require that the lead be made
from the correct hand (and see Law 47B).
(Old 1997 Law)
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 declarer’s lead
out of turn was made plays to the irregular lead (but see C below), the
lead stands and Law 57 applies.
(Old 1997 Law)
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
- Subject to Law 53A, 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. Law 16D
applies, but there is no further rectification.
(old 1997 Law)
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
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.
Also:.
- A. Declarer Spreads His Hand
- After a faced opening lead out of turn, declarer may spread his
hand; he becomes dummy. If declarer begins to spread his hand, and in
doing so exposes one or more cards, he must spread his entire hand.
Dummy becomes declarer.
(Old 1997 Law)
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
- Declarer Refuses Opening Lead D eclarer may require a defender to
retract his faced opening lead out of turn. The withdrawn card becomes a
major penalty card and Law 50D applies.
(Old 1997 Law)
When declarer requires the defender to retract his faced opening
lead out of turn,
Law 56 applies.
E. Opening Lead by Wrong Side (New 2008 Law)
- If a player of the declaring side attempts to make an opening
lead, Law 24 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). If the defenders choose
differently, the option expressed by the defender next in turn to the
hand from which the card was led out of turn shall prevail.
(Old 1997 Law)
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. No further rectification applies.
(Old 1997 Law)
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
See Law 54D.
(Old 1997 Law)
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
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 major 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 rectification
selected by declarer he may play any card, as provided in Law 59.
(Old 1997 Law)
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 or Dummy has Played
- 1. A defender is not subject to rectification for playing before his
partner if declarer has played from both hands nor 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 played until declarer has instructed (or indicated*) the play.
(Old 1997 Law)
A defender is not subject to rectification for playing before his
partner if declarer has played from both hands nor 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 played until declarer has instructed (or indicated*) the play.
2. A premature play (not a lead) by declarer from either hand is a
played card and may not be withdrawn.
(Old 1997 Law)
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.
* As by a gesture or nod.
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
- f only one card is visible, that card is played; all other cards
are picked up and there is no further rectification (see Law 47F).
(Old 1997 Law)
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 further rectification (but see Law 16D).
- (Old 1997 Law)
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 rectification, 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.
(Old 1997 Law)
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 rectification has been
assessed, forfeits the right to rectification of that offense.
(Old 1997 Law)
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 rectification has been forfeited, the illegal
play is treated as though it were in turn (except when Law 53C
applies).
(Old 1997 Law)
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
- f the offending side has a previous obligation to play a penalty
card or to comply with a lead or play restriction, the obligation
remains at future turns.
(Old 1997 Law)
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
- efender 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 major penalty card (Law 50).
(Old 1997 Law)
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 rectification has
been assessed does not affect the rights of the opponents, and may
itself be subject to rectification.
(Old 1997 Law)
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
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 when exercising an option in rectification of an irregularity
constitutes a revoke. (When unable to comply, see Law 59.)
(Old 1997 Law)
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
- 1. Declarer may ask a defender who has failed to follow suit whether he
has a card of the suit led
(Removed 1997 Law) 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.
- 2. (a) Dummy may ask declarer (but see Law 43B2(b)).
(b) Dummy may not ask a defender and Law 16B may apply.
3. Defenders may ask declarer and, unless prohibited by the Regulating
Authority, may ask one another (at the risk of creating unauthorized
information).
| 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 and
substitutes a legal card.
(Old 1997 Law)
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 major penalty card (Law 50) if it
was played from a defender’s unfaced hand.
(Old 1997 Law)
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 further rectification if it was
played from declarer’s (subject to Law 43B2(b)) or dummy’s hand, or if
it was a defender’s faced card.
(Old 1997 Law)
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 withdraw and return to
his hand any card he may have played after the revoke but before
attention was drawn to it (see Law 16D).
(Old 1997 Law)
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 player of the
offending side next in rotation may withdraw his played card, which
becomes a penalty card if the player is a defender, and see Law 16D.
(Old 1997 Law)
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).
3. (New 2008 Law)
A claim of a revoke does not automatically warrant inspection of
quitted tricks (see Law 66C).
- 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
- f a revoke by a defender occurs on the twelfth trick and before it
was the turn of his partner to play to the trick, when offender’s
partner has cards of two suits he may not choose the play that could
possibly have been suggested by seeing the revoke card.
(Old 1997 Law)
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
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 agrees to a claim or
concession of tricks orally or by facing his hand or in any other way.
(Old 1997 Law)
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. 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.
(Old 1997 Law)
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. Rectification following a Revoke
- 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*, at the end of the play the trick on which the
revoke occurred is transferred to the non-offending side together with
one of any subsequent tricks won by the offending side.
(Old 1997 Law)
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, after play ends one trick is transferred to the
non-offending side.
(Old 1997 Law)
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.
-
-
* A trick won in dummy is not won by declarer for the
purposes of this law.
- B. No Rectification
- There is no rectification as in A above following an established
revoke:
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
- if it is a subsequent revoke in the same suit by the same player.
Law 64C may apply.
(Old 1997 Law)
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.
- if attention was first drawn to the revoke after the round has
ended.
- 7. (New 2008 Law)
- when both sides have revoked on the same board.
- 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
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
- f the player’s opponents have won the trick, the card is pointed
lengthwise toward the opponents.
(Old 1997 Law)
If the opponents have won the trick, the card is pointed
lengthwise toward the opponents.
- 3. (New 2008 Law)
- Declarer may require that a card pointed incorrectly be pointed as
above. Dummy or either defender may draw attention to a card pointed
incorrectly, but for these players the right expires when a lead is
made to the following trick. If done later, Law 16B may apply.
C. (New 2008 Law)
Orderliness
-
- 1. Each player arranges his own cards in an orderly overlapping
row in the sequence played, so as to permit review of the play after
its completion, if necessary to determine the number of tricks won by
each side or the order in which the cards were played.
D. (New 2008 Law)
Agreement on Results of Play
-
- A player should not disturb the order of his played cards until
agreement has been reached on the number of tricks won. A player who
fails to comply with the provisions of this law jeopardizes his right
to claim ownership of doubtful tricks or to claim (or deny) a revoke.
See Duplicate
Decisions
See Director Tech File
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.
(Old 1997 Law)
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 expose a card
face-up in front of him and then place it appropriately among his
played cards (this card does not affect ownership of the trick); if
(Old 1997 Law)
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. He is
deemed to have revoked on the defective trick and is subject to the
loss of one trick transferred in accordance with Law 64A2.
(Old 1997 Law)
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. He is deemed to
have revoked on the defective trick and is subject to the loss of
one trick transferred in accordance with Law 64A2.
(Old 1997 Law)
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 ranking of the cards that he could legally have
played to the trick). Ownership of the defective trick does not
change.
(Old 1997 Law)
(a) 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.
(b) (New 2008 Law)
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
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 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:
* 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,
Authorized and Unauthorized Information, may apply, and see Law 57A,
Premature Play.
- 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 — for example, if
declarer faces his cards after an opening lead out of turn, Law 54, not
this law will apply).
(Old 1997 Law)
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
- 1. 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.
2. Regardless of B1 above, if a defender attempts to concede one or more
tricks and his partner immediately objects, no concession has occurred.
Unauthorized information may exist, so the Director should be summoned
immediately. Play continues. Any card that has been exposed by a
defender in these circumstances is not a penalty card, but Law 16D
applies to information arising from its exposure and the information may
not be used by the partner of the defender who has exposed it.
(Old 1997 - part of #1)
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 (but see Law 70D3). If
the claim or concession is agreed, Law 69 applies; if it is doubted by
any player (dummy included), the Director must be summoned immediately
and Law 70 applies. No action may be taken pending the Director’s
arrival.
(Old 1997 Law)
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
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
AGREED CLAIM OR CONCESSION
- A. When Agreement Is Established
- Agreement is established 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, whichever occurs
first. The board is scored as though the tricks claimed or conceded had
been won or lost in play.
(Old 1997 Law)
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. Director’s Decision
- Agreement with a claim or concession (see A above) may be withdrawn
within the correction period established under Law 79C:
1. if a player agreed to the loss of a trick his side had, in fact, won;
or
2. if a player has agreed to the loss of a trick that his side would
likely have won had the play continued. The board is rescored with such
trick awarded to his side.
(Old 1997 Law)
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
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 CLAIM OR CONCESSION
- A. General Objective
- n ruling on a contested claim or concession, the Director
adjudicates the result of the board as equitably as possible to both
sides, but any doubtful point as to a claim shall be resolved against
the claimer. The Director proceeds as follows.
(Old 1997 Law)
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 hears the opponents’ objections to the claim,
but the Director’s considerations are not limited only to the
opponents’ objections.
(Old 1997 Law)
Next, the Director requires all players to put their remaining
cards face up on the table.
- 3. Hear Objections
- he Director may require players to put their remaining cards face
up on the table.
(Old 1997 Law)
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
(Old 1997 Law)
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
- 1. 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.
2. (New 2008 Law)
The Director shall not accept any part of a defender’s claim that
depends on his partner’s selecting a particular play from among
alternative normal* plays.
3. (New 2008 Law)
- In accordance with Law 68D, play should have ceased, but if any play
has occurred after the claim, this may provide evidence to be deemed
part of the clarification of the claim. The Director may accept it as
evidence of the players’ probable plays subsequent to the claim and/or
of the accuracy of the claim.
- E. Unstated Line of Play (Finesse or Drop)
- 1. 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 that line of play would be irrational.
(Old 1997 Law)
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.
2. The Regulating Authority may specify an order (e.g., “from the top
down”) in which the Director shall deem a suit played if this was not
clarified in the statement of claim (but always subject to any other
requirement of this law).
* For the purposes of Laws 70 and 71, “normal” includes
play that would be careless or inferior for the class of player involved.
See Duplicate
Decisions
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
- 1. If a player conceded a trick his side had, in fact, won; or
2. if a player has conceded a trick that could not be lost by any
normal* play of the remaining cards. The board is rescored with such
trick awarded to his side.
(Old 1997 Law)
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.
* For the purposes of Laws 70 and 71, “normal” includes
play that would be careless or inferior for the class of player
involved.
- 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
- (Old 1997 Law removed)
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
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
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