Bridge Laws Reference

A. Rank of Cards and Suits
Duplicate Bridge is played with a pack of 52 cards, consisting of 13 cards 
in each of four suits.  The suits rank downward in the order spades (♠), 
hearts (♥), diamonds (♦), clubs (♣).  The Cards of each suit rank downward 
in the order Ace, King, Queen, Jack, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2.
B. The Face of the Cards
The Regulating Authority may require the face of each card to be sym-
metrical.
C. 
The Backs of the Cards
The backs of all 52 cards in a deck should be identical.  They may incorpo-
rate words, a logo or a pictorial design but the image used should possess 
a centre of symmetry.

A duplicate board containing a pack is provided for each deal to be played 
during a session. Each board is numbered and has four pockets to hold the four 
hands, designated North, East, South and West. The dealer and vulnerability 
are designated as follows:
North Dealer 
Boards  1  5   9   13
East Dealer 
Boards  2  6  10  14
South Dealer 
Boards  3  7  11  15
West Dealer 
Boards  4  8  12  16
Neither Side Vulnerable 
Boards  1  8  11  14
North-South Vulnerable 
Boards  2  5  12  15
East-West Vulnerable 
Boards  3  6   9   16
Both Sides Vulnerable 
Boards  4  7  10  13

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The same sequence is repeated for Boards 17-32 and for each subsequent 
group of 16 boards.
No board that fails to conform to these conditions should be used. If such 
board is used, however, the conditions marked on it apply for that session.

Four players play at each table, and tables are numbered in a sequence 
established by the Director.  He designates one direction as North; other com-
pass directions assume the normal relationship to North.

The four players at each table constitute two partnerships or sides, North-
South against East-West. In pair or team events the contestants enter as pairs 
or teams respectively and retain the same partnerships throughout a session 
(except as authorized by the Director). In individual events each player enters 
separately, and partnerships change during a session.

A. Initial Position
The Director assigns an initial position to each contestant (individual, pair 
or team) at the start of a session. Unless otherwise directed, the members 
of each pair or team may select seats among those assigned to them by 
mutual agreement. Having once selected a compass direction, a player 
may change it within a session only upon instruction or with permission 
of the Director. 
B.  Change of Direction or Table
Players change their initial compass direction or proceed to another table 
in accordance with the Director’s instructions. The Director is responsi-
ble for clear announcement of instructions; each player is responsible 
for moving when and as directed and for occupying the correct seat after 
each change.

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A. Placement of Board
When a board is to be played it is placed in the centre of the table where 
it shall remain, correctly oriented, until play is completed.
B. Removal of Cards from Board
1. 
Each player takes a hand from the pocket corresponding to his com-
pass position.
2. 
Each player counts his cards face down to be sure he has exactly 
thirteen; after that, and before making a call, he must inspect the 
faces of his cards.
3. 
During play each player retains possession of his own cards, not 
permitting them to be mixed with those of any other player. No 
player shall touch any cards other than his own (but declarer may 
play dummy’s cards in accordance with Law 45) during or after play 
except by permission of an opponent or the Director.
C. 
Returning Cards to Board
After play has finished, each player should shuffle his original thirteen 
cards, after which he restores them to the pocket corresponding to his 
compass position. Thereafter no hand shall be removed from the board 
unless a member of each side, or the Director, is present.

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D. Responsibility for Procedures
Any contestant remaining at a table throughout a session is primarily re-
sponsible for maintaining proper conditions of play at the table.

A. Movement of Boards and Players
1. 
The Director instructs the players as to the proper movement of 
boards and progression of contestants.
2. 
Unless the Director instructs otherwise, the North player at each ta-
ble is responsible for moving the boards just completed at his table 
to the proper table for the following round.
B. End of Round
1. 
In general, a round ends when the Director gives the signal for the 
start of the following round; but if any table has not completed play 
by that time, the round continues for that table until there has been 
a progression of players.
2. 
When the Director exercises his authority to postpone play of a 
board, for that board the round does not end for the players con-
cerned until the board has been played and the score agreed and 
recorded or the Director has cancelled the play of the board.
C. 
End of Last Round and End of Session
The last round of a session, and the session itself, ends for each table 
when play of all boards scheduled at that table has been completed, and 
when all scores have been entered without objection.

A. Drawing Attention to an Irregularity
1. 
Unless prohibited by Law, any player may draw attention to an irreg-
ularity during the auction period, whether or not it is his turn to call.
2. 
Unless prohibited by Law, declarer or either defender may draw 
attention to an irregularity that occurs during the play period. For an 
incorrectly pointed card see Law 65B3.

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3. 
Any player, including dummy, may attempt to prevent an irregularity 
(but for dummy subject to Laws 42 and 43). 
4. 
Dummy may not call attention to an irregularity until play of the 
hand is concluded (but see Law 20F5 for correction of declarer’s 
apparently mistaken explanation). 
5. 
There is no obligation to draw attention to an infraction of law 
committed by one’s own side (but see Law 20F5 for correction of 
partner’s apparently mistaken explanation).
B. After Attention Is Drawn to an Irregularity
1. (a) The Director should be summoned at once when attention is 
drawn to an irregularity.
(b) Any player, including dummy, may summon the Director after at-
tention has been drawn to an irregularity.
(c) Summoning the Director does not cause a player to forfeit any 
rights to which he might otherwise be entitled.
(d) The fact that a player draws attention to an irregularity committed 
by his side does not affect the rights of the opponents.
2. 
No player shall take any action until the Director has explained all 
matters in regard to rectification.
C. 
Premature Correction of an Irregularity
Any premature correction of an irregularity by the offender may subject 
him to a further rectification (see the lead restrictions in Law 26B).

A. Right to Determine Rectification
The Director alone has the right to determine rectifications when applica-
ble. Players do not have the right to determine (or waive – see Law 81C5) 
rectifications on their own initiative.
B. Cancellation of Enforcement or Waiver of Rectification
The Director may allow or cancel any enforcement or waiver of a rectifica-
tion made by the players without his instructions.

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C. 
Choice after Irregularity
1. 
When these Laws provide an option after an irregularity, the Director 
shall explain all the options available.
2. 
If a player has an option after an irregularity, he must make his se-
lection without consulting partner.
3. 
When these Laws provide the innocent side with an option after an 
irregularity committed by an opponent, it is appropriate to select the 
most advantageous action.
4. 
Subject to Law 16C2, after rectification of an infraction it is appropri-
ate for the offenders to make any call or play advantageous to their 
side, even though they thereby appear to profit through their own 
infraction (but see Laws 27 and 72C).

TO RECTIFICATION
A. Action by Non-Offending Side
The right to rectification of an irregularity may be forfeited if either mem-
ber of the non-offending side takes any action before summoning the 
Director. If a side has gained through subsequent action taken by an op-
ponent in ignorance of the relevant provisions of the law, the Director 
adjusts only that side’s score by taking away any accrued advantage. The 
other side retains the score achieved at the table.
B. Penalty after Forfeiture of the Right to Rectification
Even after the right to rectification has been forfeited under this Law, the 
Director may assess a procedural penalty (see Law 90).

A. Power to Award an Adjusted Score
On the application of a player within the period established under Law 
92B or on his own initiative the Director may award an adjusted score 
when these Laws empower him to do so (in team play see Law 86B). This 
includes:

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1. 
The Director may award an adjusted score in favour of a non-offend-
ing contestant when he judges that these Laws do not prescribe a 
rectification for the particular type of violation committed.
2. 
The Director awards an artificial adjusted score if no rectification can 
be made that will permit normal play of the board (see C2 below).
3. 
The Director may award an adjusted score if there has been an in-
correct rectification of an irregularity.
B. Objectives of Score Adjustment
1. 
The objective of score adjustment is to redress damage to a non-of-
fending side and to take away any advantage gained by an offending 
side through its infraction. Damage exists when, because of an in-
fraction, an innocent side obtains a table result less favourable than 
would have been the expectation had the infraction not occurred.
2. 
The Director may not award an adjusted score on the grounds that 
the rectification provided in these Laws is either unduly severe or 
advantageous to either side.
C. 
Awarding an Adjusted Score
1. (a) When after an irregularity the Director is empowered by these laws 
to adjust a score and is able to award an assigned adjusted score, he 
does so. Such a score replaces the score obtained in play.
(b) The Director in awarding an assigned adjusted score should seek 
to recover as nearly as possible the probable outcome of the board 
had the infraction not occurred. 
(c) An assigned adjusted score may be weighted to reflect the prob-
abilities of a number of potential results, but only outcomes that 
could have been achieved in a legal manner may be included.
(d) If the possibilities are numerous or not obvious, the Director may 
award an artificial adjusted score (see C2 below).
(e) If, subsequent to the irregularity, the non-offending side has con-
tributed to its own damage by an extremely serious error (unrelat-
ed to the infraction) or by a gambling action, which if unsuccessful 
it might have hoped to recover through rectification, then:
(i) The offending side is awarded the score it would have been 
allotted as the consequence of rectifying its infraction.
(ii) The non-offending side does not receive relief for such part of 
its damage as is self-inflicted.

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2. (a) When owing to an irregularity no result can be obtained [see also 
C1(d)] the Director awards an artificial adjusted score according to 
responsibility for the irregularity: average minus (at most 40% of 
the available matchpoints in pairs) to a contestant directly at fault, 
average (50% in pairs) to a contestant only partly at fault, and aver-
age plus (at least 60% in pairs) to a contestant in no way at fault.
(b) When the Director chooses to award an artificial adjusted score 
of average plus or average minus at IMP play, that score is plus 3 
IMPs or minus 3 IMPs respectively. Subject to approval by the Reg-
ulating Authority, this may be varied by the Tournament Organizer 
as provided for by Laws 78D, 86B3 and (d) hereunder.
(c) The foregoing is modified for a non-offending contestant that ob-
tains a session score exceeding 60% of the available matchpoints 
or for an offending contestant that obtains a session score that is 
less than 40% of the available matchpoints (or the equivalent in 
IMPs). Such contestants are awarded the percentage obtained (or 
the equivalent in IMPs) on the other boards of that session. 
(d) The Regulating Authority may provide for circumstances where a 
contestant fails to obtain a result on multiple boards during the 
same session. The scores assigned for each subsequent board may 
be varied by regulation from those prescribed in (a) and (b) above.
3. 
In individual events the Director enforces the rectifications in these 
Laws, and the provisions requiring the award of adjusted scores, 
equally against both members of the offending side even though 
only one of them may be responsible for the irregularity. But the 
Director shall not award a procedural penalty against the offender’s 
partner if of the opinion that he is in no way to blame.
4. 
When the Director awards non-balancing adjusted scores in knock-
out play, each contestant’s score on the board is calculated separate-
ly and the average of them is assigned to each.

A. No Call Made
If no player with an incorrect number of cards has made a call, then:
2 This Law applies when one or more hands are found to contain more than 13 cards. 
See Law 14 for cases involving a deficient deck

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1. 
The Director shall correct the discrepancy and, if no player has seen 
another’s card, he shall require that the board be played normally.
2. 
When the Director determines that one or more pockets of the board 
contained an incorrect number of cards and a player has seen one or 
more cards of another player’s hand, the Director allows the board to 
be played and scored.  If he then considers the extraneous informa-
tion has affected the outcome of the board the Director shall adjust 
the score [see Law 12C1(b)] and may penalize an offender. 
B. Discovered during the Auction or Play
When the Director determines that a player’s hand originally contained 
more than 13 cards with another player holding fewer, and a player with 
an incorrect hand has made a call:
1. 
If the Director judges that the deal can be corrected and played, then 
the deal may be so played with no change of call. At the end of play 
the Director may award an adjusted score.
2. 
Otherwise when a call has been made with an incorrect number of 
cards, the Director shall award an adjusted score [see Law 12C1(b)] 
and may penalize an offender.
C. 
Surplus Card
Any surplus card not part of the deal is removed if found. The auction 
and play continue without further rectification. No adjusted score may be 
awarded unless such a card is found to have been played to a quitted trick.
D. Play Completed
When it is determined after play ends that a player’s hand originally con-
tained more than 13 cards with another player holding fewer, the result 
must be cancelled and an adjusted score awarded (Law 86B may apply). 
An offending contestant is liable to a procedural penalty.

A. Hand Found Deficient before Play Commences
When one or more hands are found to contain fewer than 13 cards, with 
no hand having more than 13, before the opening lead is faced, the Direc-
tor makes a search for any missing card, and:

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1. 
if the card is found, it is restored to the deficient hand.
2. 
if the card cannot be found, the Director reconstructs the deal by 
substituting another pack.
3. 
the auction and play continue normally without alteration of any of 
the calls made, the restored hand being deemed to have contained 
all of its cards continuously throughout.
B. Hand Found Deficient Afterwards
When one or more hands are found to contain fewer than 13 cards, with 
no hand having more than 13, at any time after the opening lead is faced 
(until the end of the Correction Period), the Director makes a search for 
any missing card, and:
1. 
if the card is found among the played cards, Law 67 applies.
2. 
if the card is found elsewhere, it is restored to the deficient hand. 
Rectification and/or penalties may apply (see B4 following).
3. 
if the card cannot be found, the deal is reconstructed using another 
pack. Rectification and/or penalties may apply (see B4 following).
4. 
a card restored to a hand under the provisions of Section B of this 
Law is deemed to have belonged continuously to the deficient hand. 
It may become a penalty card, and failure to have played it may 
constitute a revoke.
C. 
Information from Replacement of a Card
Knowledge of the replacement of a card is unauthorized for the partner of 
a player whose hand contained an incorrect number of cards.

A. Cards from Wrong Board
1. 
A call is cancelled (together with any subsequent call) if it is made 
by a player holding cards that he has picked up from a wrong board.
2.    (a)     If the offender’s partner has subsequently called, the Director 
shall award an adjusted score.
(b) Otherwise, after looking at the correct hand the offender calls 
again and the auction continues normally from that point.

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(c) Law 16C applies to any call withdrawn or cancelled. 
3. 
If the offender subsequently repeats his call on the board from 
which he mistakenly drew his cards the Director may allow that 
board to be played normally, but the Director shall award an adjust-
ed score when offender’s call differs3 from his original cancelled call.
4. 
A procedural penalty (Law 90) may be assessed in addition to the 
rectifications above.
B. Wrong Board Discovered During Auction or Play Period4
If, after the commencement of the auction period, the Director discovers 
that a contestant is playing a board not designated for him to play in the 
current round, then: 
1. 
if one or more players at the table have previously played the board, 
with the correct opponents or otherwise, the board is cancelled for 
both his side and his opponents.
2. 
if none of the four players have previously played the board the Di-
rector shall require the auction and play to be completed.  He allows 
the score to stand and may require both pairs to play the correct 
board against one another later.
3. 
the Director shall award an artificial adjusted score [see Law 
12C2(a)] to any contestant deprived of the opportunity to earn a 
valid score.

INFORMATION
A. Players’ Use of Information
1. 
A player may use information in the auction or play if:
(a) it derives from the legal calls and plays of the current board (in-
cluding illegal calls and plays that are accepted) and is unaffect-
ed by unauthorized information from another source; or
3 A substituted call differs if its meaning is much different or if it is psychic.
4 This law only applies to pair and individual events – see Law 86B for team events.

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(b) it is authorized information from a withdrawn action (see C); or
(c) it is information specified in any law or regulation to be autho-
rized or, when not otherwise specified, arising from the legal 
procedures authorized in these laws and in regulations (but see 
B1 following); or
(d) it is information that the player possessed before he took his 
hand from the board (Law 7B) and the Laws do not preclude his 
use of this information.
2. 
Players may also take account of their estimate of their own score, of 
the traits of their opponents, and any requirement of the tournament 
regulations.
B. Extraneous Information from Partner
1. 
Any extraneous information from partner that might suggest a call 
or play is unauthorized.  This includes remarks, questions, replies to 
questions, unexpected alerts or failures to alert, unmistakable hes-
itation, unwonted speed, special emphasis, tone, gesture, movement 
or mannerism.
(a) A player may not choose a call or play that is demonstrably 
suggested over another by unauthorized information if the other 
call or play is a logical alternative.
(b) A logical alternative is an action that a significant proportion of 
the class of players in question, using the methods of the part-
nership, would seriously consider, and some might select. 
2. 
When a player considers that an opponent has made such informa-
tion available and that damage could well result he may announce, 
unless prohibited by the Regulating Authority (which may require 
that the Director be called), that he reserves the right to summon 
the Director later (the opponents should summon the Director 
immediately if they dispute the fact that unauthorized information 
might have been conveyed).
3. 
When a player has substantial reason to believe that an opponent 
who had a logical alternative has chosen an action suggested by such 
information, he should summon the Director when play ends5. The 
Director shall assign an adjusted score (see Law 12C1) if he considers 
that an infraction of law has resulted in an advantage for the offender.
5 It is not an infraction to call the Director earlier or later.

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C. 
Information from Withdrawn Calls and Plays
When a call or play has been withdrawn as these laws provide:
1. 
For a non-offending side, all information arising from a withdrawn 
action is authorized, whether the action be its own or its opponents’.
2. 
For an offending side, information arising from its own withdrawn 
action and from withdrawn actions of the non-offending side is 
unauthorized. A player of an offending side may not choose a call or 
play that is demonstrably suggested over another by unauthorized 
information if the other call or play is a logical alternative.
3. 
The Director shall assign an adjusted score (see Law 12C1) if he con-
siders that a violation of C2 has damaged the non-offending side.
D. Extraneous Information from Other Sources
1. 
When a player accidentally receives extraneous information about 
a board he is playing or has yet to play, as by looking at the wrong 
hand; by overhearing calls, results or remarks; by seeing cards at 
another table; or by seeing a card belonging to another player at his 
own table before the auction begins (see also Law 13A), the Direc-
tor should be notified forthwith, preferably by the recipient of the 
information.
2. 
If the Director considers that the information would likely interfere 
with normal play he may, before any call has been made:
(a) adjust the players’ positions at the table, if the type of contest 
and scoring permit, so that the player with information about 
one hand will hold that hand; 
(b) if the form of competition allows of it order the board redealt 
for those contestants;
(c) allow completion of the play of the board standing ready to 
award an adjusted score if he judges that the extraneous infor-
mation affected the result;
(d) award an adjusted score (for team play see Law 86B). 
3. 
If such extraneous information is received after the first call in the 
auction has been made and before completion of the play of the 
board the Director proceeds as in 2(c) or 2(d) above. 

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A. Auction Period Starts
The auction period on a deal begins for a side when either partner with-
draws his cards from the board.
B. The First Call
The player designated by the board as dealer makes the first call.
C. 
Successive Calls
The player to dealer’s left makes the second call, and thereafter each play-
er calls in turn in a clockwise rotation.
D. End of Auction Period
1. 
The auction period ends when, subsequent to the end of the auction as 
in Law 22A, either defender faces an opening lead. (If the lead is out of 
turn then see Law 54.) The interval between the end of the auction and 
the end of the auction period is designated the Clarification Period.
2. 
If no player bids (see Law 22B) the auction period ends when all 
four hands have been returned to the board.
3. 
When a call has been followed by three passes the auction does not 
end if any of those passes was out of rotation, depriving a player of 
his right to call. When this occurs the auction reverts to the player 
who missed his turn, all subsequent passes are cancelled and the 
auction proceeds normally. Law 16C applies to the cancelled calls, 
any player who has passed out of rotation being an offender.

A. Proper Form
A bid designates a number of odd tricks (tricks in excess of six), from one to 
seven, and a denomination. (Pass, double and redouble are calls but not bids.)
B. To Supersede a Bid
A bid supersedes a previous bid if it designates either the same number of 
odd tricks in a higher-ranking denomination or a greater number of odd 
tricks in any denomination.

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C. 
Sufficient Bid
A bid that supersedes the last preceding bid is a sufficient bid.
D. Insufficient Bid
A bid that fails to supersede the last preceding bid is an insufficient bid. 
It is an infraction to make an insufficient bid (see Law 27 for rectification).
E. 
Rank of the Denominations
The rank of the denominations in descending order is: no trump, spades, 
hearts, diamonds, clubs.
F. 
Different Methods
Regulating Authorities may authorize different methods of making calls.

A. Doubles
1. 
A player may double only the last preceding bid. That bid must have 
been made by an opponent; calls other than pass must not have 
intervened.
2. 
In doubling, a player should not state the number of odd tricks or 
the denomination. The only correct form is the single word “Double”.
3. 
If a player, in doubling, incorrectly states the bid, or the number of 
odd tricks or the denomination, he is deemed to have doubled the 
bid as it was made. (Law 16 Unauthorized Information may apply.)
B. Redoubles
1. 
A player may redouble only the last preceding double. That double 
must have been made by an opponent; calls other than pass must 
not have intervened.
2. 
In redoubling, a player should not state the number of odd tricks or 
the denomination. The only correct form is the single word “Redouble”.
3. 
If a player, in redoubling, incorrectly states the doubled bid, or the 
number of odd tricks or the denomination, he is deemed to have 
redoubled the bid as it was made. (Law 16 Unauthorized Information 
may apply.)

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C. 
Double or Redouble Superseded
Any double or redouble is superseded by a subsequent legal bid.
D. Scoring a Doubled or Redoubled Contract
If a doubled or redoubled bid is not followed by a subsequent legal bid, 
scoring values are increased as provided in Law 77.

A. Call Not Clearly Recognized
A player may require clarification forthwith if he is in doubt what call has 
been made.
B. Review of Auction during Auction Period
During the auction period, a player is entitled to have all previous calls 
restated when it is his turn to call, unless he is required by law to pass. 
Alerts should be included when responding to the request.  A player may 
not ask for a partial review of previous calls and may not halt the review 
before it is completed.
C. 
Review after Final Pass
1. 
After the final pass either defender has the right to ask if it is his 
opening lead (see Laws 47E and 41).
2. 
Declarer6 or either defender may, at his first turn to play, require all 
previous calls to be restated. (See Laws 41B and 41C). As in B the 
player may not ask for only a partial restatement or halt the review.
D. Who May Review the Auction
A request to have calls restated shall be responded to only by an opponent.
E. 
Correction of Error in Review
All players, including dummy or a player required by law to pass, are re-
sponsible for prompt correction of errors in restatement (see Law 12C1 
when an uncorrected review causes damage).
6  Declarer’s first turn to play is from dummy unless accepting an opening lead out of turn.

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F. 
Explanation of Calls
1. 
During the auction and before the final pass any player may request7, 
at his own turn to call, an explanation of the opponents’ auction. He 
is entitled to know about calls actually made, about relevant alter-
native calls available that were not made, and about inferences from 
the choice of action where these are matters of partnership under-
standing. Except on the instruction of the Director replies should be 
given by the partner of the player who made the call in question. 
The partner of a player who asks a question may not ask a supple-
mentary question until his turn to call or play. Law 16 may apply 
and the Regulating Authority may establish regulations for written 
explanations.
2. 
After the final pass and throughout the play period, either defender 
at his own turn to play may request an explanation of the opposing 
auction. At his turn to play from his hand or from dummy declarer 
may request an explanation of a defender’s call or card play under-
standings. Explanations should be given on a like basis to 1 and by 
the partner of the player whose action is explained.
3. 
Under 1 and 2 above a player may ask concerning a single call but 
Law 16B1 may apply.
4.     (a)     If a player realizes during the auction that his own explanation 
was erroneous or incomplete, he must summon the Director 
before the end of the Clarification Period and correct the mis-
explanation. He may elect to call the Director sooner, but he is 
under no obligation to do so. (For a correction during the play 
period, see Law 75B2.)
(b) The Director when summoned applies Law 21B or Law 40B3.
5.     (a)     A player whose partner has given a mistaken explanation may 
not correct the error during the auction, nor may he indicate in 
any manner that a mistake has been made. ‘Mistaken explana-
tion’ here includes failure to alert or announce as regulations 
require or an alert (or an announcement) that regulations do not 
require.
(b) The player must call the Director and inform his opponents that, 
in his opinion, his partner’s explanation was erroneous (see Law 
75B) but only at his first legal opportunity, which is:
7 Unless that player is required by law to pass.

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(i) for a defender, at the end of the play.
(ii) for declarer or dummy, after the final pass of the auction.
6. 
If the Director judges that a player has based an action on misinforma-
tion given to him by an opponent see, as appropriate, Law 21 or Law 47E.
G. Incorrect Procedure
1. 
A player may not ask a question if his sole purpose is to benefit 
partner.
2. 
A player may not ask a question if his sole purpose is to elicit an 
incorrect response from an opponent.
3. 
Except as the Regulating Authority allows, a player may not consult 
his own system card and notes during the auction period and play 
[but see Law 40B2(b)].

A. Call or Play Based on Player’s Own Misunderstanding
No rectification or redress is due to a player who acts on the basis of his 
own misunderstanding.
B. Call Based on Misinformation from an Opponent
1.     (a)     Until the end of the auction period (see Law 17D) and provid-
ed that his partner has not subsequently called, a player may 
change a call without other rectification for his side when the 
Director judges that the decision to make the call could well 
have been influenced by misinformation given to the player by 
an opponent. Failure to alert promptly where an alert is re-
quired by the Regulating Authority is deemed misinformation.
(b) The Director is to presume Mistaken Explanation rather than 
Mistaken Call in the absence of evidence to the contrary.
2. 
When a player elects to change a call because of misinformation (as 
in 1 preceding), his LHO may then in turn change any subsequent 
call he may have made, but Law 16C applies.
3. 
When it is too late to change a call and the Director judges that the 
offending side gained an advantage from the irregularity he awards 
an adjusted score.

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LAW 22 – END OF AUCTION
The auction ends when:
A. one or more players having bid, there are three consecutive passes in 
rotation subsequent to the last bid. The last bid becomes the contract 
(but see Law 19D).
B. 
all four players pass (but see Law 25). The hands are returned to the 
board without play. There shall not be a redeal.
LAW 23 – COMPARABLE CALL
A. Definition
A call that replaces a withdrawn call is a comparable call, if it:
1. 
has the same or similar meaning as that attributable to the with-
drawn call, or
2. 
defines a subset of the possible meanings attributable to the with-
drawn call, or
3. 
has the same purpose (e.g. an asking bid or a relay) as that attribut-
able to the withdrawn call. 
B. No Rectification
When a call is cancelled (as per Law 29B) and the offender chooses at his 
proper turn to replace the irregularity with a comparable call, then both 
the auction and play continue without further rectification. Law 16C2 does 
not apply, but see C following.
C. 
Non-Offending Side Damaged
If following the substitution of a comparable call [see Laws 27B1(b), 
30B1(b)(i), 31A2(a) and 32A2(a)] the Director judges at the end of the 
play that without the assistance gained through the infraction the out-
come of the board could well have been different, and in consequence 
the non-offending side is damaged, he shall award an adjusted score [see 
Law 12C1(b)].

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THE AUCTION
When the Director determines that during the auction, because of a play-
er’s own error, one or more cards of that player’s hand were in position for the 
face to be seen by his partner, the Director shall require that every such card 
be placed face up on the table until the auction ends. Information from cards 
thus exposed is authorized for the non-offending side but unauthorized for 
the offending side (see Law 16C). 
A. Low Card Not Prematurely Led
If it is a single card below the rank of an honour and not prematurely led, 
there is no further rectification (but see E following).
B. Single Card of Honour Rank or Card Prematurely Led
If it is a single card of honour rank or is any card prematurely led, offend-
er’s partner must pass when next it is his turn to call (see Law 72C when 
a pass damages the non-offending side).
C. 
Two or More Cards Are Exposed
If two or more cards are so exposed offender’s partner must pass when 
next it is his turn to call (see Law 72C when a pass damages the non-of-
fending side).
D. Declaring side
If the offender becomes declarer or dummy the cards are picked up and 
returned to the hand. 
E. 
Defenders
If at the conclusion of the auction the offender is to become a defender, 
every such card becomes a penalty card (see Laws 50 and 51).

A. Unintended Call
1. 
If a player discovers that he has not made the call he intended to 
make, he may, until his partner makes a call, substitute the call he 

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intended for the unintended call. The second (intended) call stands 
and is subject to the appropriate Law, but the lead restrictions in 
Law 26 do not apply.
2. 
If the player’s original intent was to make the call selected or voiced, 
that call stands.  A change of call may be allowed because of a 
mechanical error or a slip of the tongue, but not because of a loss of 
concentration regarding the intent of the action.
3. 
A player is allowed to replace an unintended call if the conditions 
described in A1 above are met, no matter how he may have become 
aware of his error. 
4. 
No substitution of call may be made when his partner has made a 
subsequent call.
5. 
If the auction ends before it reaches the player’s partner no substitu-
tion may occur after the end of the auction period (see Law 17D).
6. 
If a substitution is allowed the LHO may withdraw any call he made 
over the first call. Information from the withdrawn call is authorized 
to his side and unauthorized to the opponents.
B. Call Intended
1. 
A substituted call not permitted by A may be accepted by the of-
fender’s LHO. (It is accepted if LHO calls intentionally over it.) The 
first call is then withdrawn, the second call stands and the auction 
continues (Law 26 may apply).
2. 
Except as in B1, a substitution not permitted by A is cancelled. The 
original call stands and the auction continues (Law 26 may apply).
3. 
Law 16C applies to any call withdrawn or cancelled.
LAW 26 – CALL WITHDRAWN, LEAD RESTRICTIONS
A. No Lead Restrictions
When an offending player’s call is withdrawn and it is replaced by a com-
parable call (see Law 23A), then if he becomes a defender there are no 
lead restrictions for his side. Law 16C does not apply, but see Law 23C.
B. Lead Restrictions
When an offending player’s call is withdrawn and it is not replaced by 
a comparable call, then if he becomes a defender declarer may, at the 

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offender’s partner’s first turn to lead (which may be the opening lead)  
prohibit offender’s partner from leading any (one) suit which has not been 
specified in the legal auction by the offender.  Such prohibition continues 
for as long as the offender’s partner retains the lead.
LAW 27 – INSUFFICIENT BID
A. Acceptance of Insufficient Bid
1. 
Any insufficient bid may be accepted (treated as legal) at the option 
of offender’s LHO. It is accepted if that player calls.
2. 
If a player makes an insufficient bid out of rotation Law 31 applies.
B. Insufficient Bid not Accepted
If an insufficient bid in rotation is not accepted (see A) it must be corrected 
by the substitution of a legal call (but see 3 following).  Then:
1.     (a)     if the insufficient bid is corrected by the lowest sufficient bid 
which specifies the same denomination(s) as that specified by 
the withdrawn call, the auction proceeds without further rectifi-
cation. Laws 26B and 16C do not apply but see D following.
(b) except as in (a), if the insufficient bid is corrected with a com-
parable call (see Law 23A) the auction proceeds without further 
rectification. Law 16C does not apply but see D following.
2. 
except as provided in B1 above, if the insufficient bid is corrected by 
a sufficient bid or by a pass, the offender’s partner must pass when-
ever it is his turn to call. The lead restrictions in Law 26B may apply, 
and see Law 72C. 
3. 
except as provided in B1(b) above, if the offender attempts to substi-
tute a double or a redouble for his insufficient bid the attempted call 
is cancelled. The offender must replace it as the foregoing allows 
and his partner must then pass whenever it is his turn to call. The 
lead restrictions in Law 26B may apply, and see Law 72C.
4. 
if the offender attempts to replace the one insufficient bid with 
another insufficient bid the Director rules as in 3 if the LHO does not 
accept the substituted insufficient bid as A1 allows.

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C. 
Premature Replacement
If the offender replaces his insufficient bid before the Director has ruled 
on rectification the substitution, if legal, stands unless the insufficient bid 
is accepted as A1 allows (but see B3 above).  The Director applies the rel-
evant foregoing section to the substitution.
D. Non-offending Side Damaged
If following the application of B1 the Director judges at the end of the 
play that without assistance gained through the infraction the outcome 
of the board could well have been different, and in consequence the 
non-offending side is damaged (see Law 12B1), he shall award an ad-
justed score.  In his adjustment he should seek to recover as nearly as 
possible the probable outcome of the board had the insufficient bid not 
occurred.

A. RHO Required to Pass
A call is considered to be in rotation when it is made by a player at his 
RHO’s turn to call if that opponent is required by law to pass.
B. Call by Correct Player Cancelling Call Out of Rotation
A call is considered to be in rotation when made by a player whose turn it 
was to call before rectification has been assessed for a call out of rotation 
by an opponent.  Making such a call forfeits the right to rectification for 
the call out of rotation. The auction proceeds as though the opponent had 
not called at that turn.  Law 26 does not apply, but see Law 16C2.

OF ROTATION
A. Forfeiture of Right to Rectification
Following a call out of rotation offender’s LHO may elect to call thereby 
forfeiting the right to any rectification.

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B. Out-of-Rotation Call Cancelled
Unless A applies, a call out of rotation is cancelled and the auction reverts 
to the player whose turn it was to call.  The offending side is subject to the 
provisions of Law 30, 31 or 32.
C. 
Call Out of Rotation Is Artificial
If a call out of rotation is artificial, the provisions of Laws 30, 31 and 32 ap-
ply to the denomination(s) specified, rather than the denomination named.

When a player has passed out of rotation and the call is cancelled, the 
option in Law 29A not having been exercised, the following provisions apply 
(if the pass is artificial see C):
A. RHO’s Turn to Call
When a pass out of rotation is made at offender’s RHO’s turn to call, the 
offender must pass when next it is his turn to call and Law 72C may apply.
B. Partner’s or LHO’s Turn to Call
1. 
When the offender has passed at his partner’s turn to call, or at his 
LHO’s turn to call if the offender has not previously called, then:
(a) Offender’s partner may make any legal call at his proper turn, 
but Law 16C2 applies.
(b) Offender may make any legal call at his correct turn and:
(i) When the call is a comparable call (see Law 23A), there is no 
further rectification.  Law 26B does not apply, but see Law 
23C.
(ii) When the call is not a comparable call (see Law 23A), 
offender’s partner must pass when next it is his turn to call.  
Laws 16C, 26B and 72C may apply.
2. 
If the offender has previously called, a pass out of rotation at offend-
er’s LHO’s turn to call is treated as a change of call. Law 25 applies.
C. 
When Pass Is Artificial
When a pass out of rotation is artificial or is a pass of an artificial call, Law 
31, not Law 30, applies.

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When a player has bid out of rotation, has passed artificially or has passed 
partner’s artificial call (see Law 30C) and the call is cancelled, the option in 
Law 29A not having been exercised, the following provisions apply:
A. RHO’s Turn to Call
When the offender has called at his RHO’s turn to call, then:
1. 
If that opponent passes, offender must repeat the call out of rota-
tion, and when that call is legal there is no rectification.
2. 
If that opponent makes a legal8 bid, double or redouble, offender 
may make any legal call: 
(a) When the call is a comparable call (see Law 23A), there is no 
further rectification.  Law 26B does not apply, but see Law 23C.
(b) When the call is not a comparable call (see Law 23A), offender’s 
partner must pass when next it is his turn to call.  Laws 16C, 26B 
and 72C may apply.
B. Partner’s or LHO’s Turn to Call
When the offender has bid at his partner’s turn to call, or at his LHO’s turn 
to call if the offender has not previously called, then:
1. 
Offender’s partner may make any legal call at his proper turn, but 
Law 16C2 applies.
2. 
Offender may make any legal call at his correct turn and the Director 
rules as in A2(a) or A2(b) above.
C. 
Later Bids at LHO’s Turn to Call
Later bids at LHO’s turn to call are treated as changes of call and Law 25 
applies.

A double or redouble out of rotation may be accepted at the option of the 
opponent next in rotation (see Law 29A), except that an inadmissible double 
8 An illegal call by RHO is rectified as usual.

2017 LAWS OF DUPLICATE BRIDGE
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or redouble (see Law 36) may never be accepted. If the call out of rotation is 
not accepted it is cancelled and: 
A. RHO’s Turn to Call
If a double or redouble out of rotation has been made at offender’s RHO’s 
turn to call, then:
1. 
If offender’s RHO passes, offender must repeat his out-of-rotation 
double or redouble and there is no rectification unless the double or 
redouble is inadmissible, in which case Law 36 applies.
2. 
If offender’s RHO bids, doubles or redoubles, the offender may in 
turn make any legal call:
(a) When the call is a comparable call (see Law 23A), there is no 
further rectification. Law 26B does not apply, but see Law 23C.
(b) When the call is not a comparable call (see Law 23A), offender’s 
partner must pass when next it is his turn to call. Laws 16C, 26B 
and 72C may apply.
B. Offender’s Partner’s Turn to Call
If a double or redouble out of rotation has been made when it was the 
offender’s partner’s turn to call, then:
1. 
Offender’s partner may make any legal call, but Law 16C2 applies.
2. 
Offender may make any legal call at his proper turn and the Director 
rules as in A2(a) or A2(b) above.
C. 
Later Calls at LHO’s Turn to Call
Later calls at LHO’s turn to call are treated as changes of call and Law 25 
applies.

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

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When following a call there have been three consecutive passes, one or 
more being out of rotation, Law 17D3 applies.

The following calls are inadmissible:
A.  A double or redouble not permitted by Law 19. Law 36 applies.
B.  A bid, double or redouble by a player required to pass. Law 37 applies.
C.  A bid of more than seven. Law 38 applies.
D.  A call after the final pass of the auction. Law 39 applies.

A. Offender’s LHO Calls before Rectification
If offender’s LHO calls before rectification of an inadmissible double or 
redouble the inadmissible call and all subsequent calls are cancelled. The 
auction reverts to the player whose turn it was to call and proceeds as 
though there had been no irregularity. The lead restrictions in Law 26B 
do not apply.
B. Offender’s LHO does not Call before Rectification
When A does not apply: 
1. 
any double or redouble not permitted by Law 19 is cancelled.  
2. 
the offender must substitute a legal call, the auction continues, and 
the offender’s partner must pass whenever it is his turn to call. 
3. 
Law 72C may apply. The lead restrictions in Law 26B may apply.
4. 
if the call is out of turn the auction reverts to the player whose turn 
it was to call, the offender may make any legal call at his turn, and 
his partner must pass whenever it is his turn to call. Law 72C may 
apply. The lead restrictions in Law 26B may apply.

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C. 
Irregularity Discovered after the Auction Period 
When attention is drawn to an inadmissible double or redouble only after 
the opening lead has been faced, the final contract is scored as if the in-
admissible call had not been made.

A. Offender’s LHO Calls before Rectification
If the inadmissible call was a bid or a double or redouble by a player 
required by law to pass (but not an action contrary to Law 19A1 or Law 
19B1) and offender’s LHO calls before the Director has ruled on rectifica-
tion, that call and all subsequent calls stand. If the offender was required 
to pass for the remainder of the auction he must still pass at subsequent 
turns. The lead restrictions in Law 26B do not apply.  
B. Offender’s LHO does not Call before Rectification
When A does not apply: 
1. 
any bid, double or redouble, by a player required by law to pass is 
cancelled.
2. 
a pass is substituted, the auction continues and each member of the 
offending side must pass whenever it is his turn to call. Law 72C may 
apply. The lead restrictions in Law 26B may apply.

A. No Play Permissible
No play of a contract of more than seven is ever permissible.
B. Bid and Subsequent Calls Cancelled
A bid of more than seven is cancelled together with any subsequent calls.
C. 
Offending Side Must Pass
A pass must be substituted; the auction continues unless completed and 
each member of the offending side must pass whenever it is his turn to 
call. 

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D. Possible Lack of Recourse to Laws 26B and 72C
Law 72C may apply and the lead restrictions in Law 26B may apply, except 
that if the offender’s LHO had called subsequent to the infraction and 
before rectification there is no recourse to these Laws.

A. Calls Cancelled
All calls after the final pass of the auction are cancelled.
B. Pass by Defender or Any Call by Declaring Side
If offender’s LHO calls before rectification, or if the infraction is a pass by 
a defender or any call by the future declarer or dummy, then there is no 
further rectification.
C. 
Other Action by Defender
If offender’s LHO has not called subsequent to the infraction and the in-
fraction is a bid, double or redouble by a defender, then the lead restric-
tions in Law 26B may apply.

A. Players’ Systemic Agreements
1.     (a)     Partnership understandings as to the methods adopted by a 
partnership may be reached explicitly in discussion or implicitly 
through mutual experience or awareness of the players.
(b) Each partnership has a duty to make its partnership under-
standings available to its opponents. The Regulating Authority 
specifies the manner in which this is done.
2. 
Information conveyed to partner through such understandings must 
arise from the calls, plays and conditions of the current deal. Each 
player is entitled to take into account the legal auction and, subject 
to any exclusions in these laws, the cards he has seen. He is entitled 
to use information specified elsewhere in these laws to be autho-
rized. (See Law 73C.)

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3. 
A player may make any call or play without prior announcement pro-
vided that such call or play is not based on an undisclosed partner-
ship understanding (see Law 40C1).
4. 
The agreed meaning of a call or play shall not alter by reference to 
the member of the partnership by whom it is made (this requirement 
does not restrict style and judgement, only method).
B. Special Partnership Understandings
1.     (a)     An agreement between partners, whether explicit or implicit, is 
a partnership understanding.
(b) In its discretion the Regulating Authority may designate certain 
partnership understandings as ‘special partnership understand-
ings’. A special partnership understanding is one whose meaning, 
in the opinion of the Regulating Authority, may not be readily 
understood and anticipated by a significant number of players in 
the tournament.
(c) Unless the Regulating Authority decides otherwise, any call 
that has an artificial meaning constitutes a special partnership 
understanding.
2.     (a)     The Regulating Authority:
(i) is empowered without restriction to allow, disallow, or allow 
conditionally, any special partnership understanding. 
(ii) may prescribe a System Card, with or without supplementa-
ry sheets, for the prior listing of a partnership’s understand-
ings, and regulate its use.
(iii) may prescribe alerting procedures and/or other methods of 
disclosure of a partnership’s methods. 
(iv) may disallow prior agreement by a partnership to vary its 
understandings during the auction or play following an 
irregularity committed by the opponents.
(v) may restrict the use of psychic artificial calls.
(b) Unless the Regulating Authority provides otherwise a player may 
not consult his own system card between the commencement of 
the auction period and the end of play, except that players of the 
declaring side (only) may consult their own system card during 
the Clarification Period.
(c) Unless the Regulating Authority provides otherwise a player may 
consult his opponent’s system card:

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(i) prior to the commencement of the auction,
(ii) during the Clarification Period,
(iii) during the auction and during the play but only at his turn 
to call or play, and
(iv) following an opponent’s request for an explanation, pursu-
ant to Law  20F, for the purpose of correctly explaining the 
significance of his partner’s call or play.
(d) Unless the Regulating Authority provides otherwise a player is 
not entitled to any aids to his memory, calculation or technique 
during the auction period and play.
3.     (a)     A side that is damaged as a consequence of its opponents’ 
failure to provide disclosure of the meaning of a call or play, as 
these laws require, is entitled to rectification through the award 
of an adjusted score.
(b) Repeated violations of requirements to disclose partnership 
understandings may be penalized.
4. When a side is damaged by an opponent’s use of a special part-
nership understanding that does not comply with the regulations 
governing the tournament the score shall be adjusted. A side in 
breach of those regulations may be subject to a procedural pen-
alty.
5.     (a)     When explaining the significance of partner’s call or play in re-
ply to an opponent’s enquiry (see Law 20) a player shall disclose 
all special information conveyed to him through partnership 
agreement or partnership experience but he need not disclose 
inferences drawn from his knowledge and experience of matters 
generally known to bridge players.
(b) The Director adjusts the score if information not given in an 
explanation is crucial for an opponent’s choice of action and the 
opponent is thereby damaged.
C. 
Deviation from System and Psychic Action
1. 
A player may deviate from his side’s announced understandings, 
provided that his partner has no more reason than the opponents to 
be aware of the deviation [but see B2(a)(v) above]. Repeated devi-
ations lead to implicit understandings which then form part of the 
partnership’s methods and must be disclosed in accordance with the 
regulations governing disclosure of system. If the Director judges 

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there is undisclosed knowledge that has damaged the opponents he 
shall adjust the score and may assess a procedural penalty.
2. 
Other than in C1 above, no player is obliged to disclose to the oppo-
nents that he has deviated from his announced methods.

A. Face-down Opening Lead
After a bid, double or redouble has been followed by three passes in ro-
tation, the defender on presumed declarer’s left makes the opening lead 
face down9. The face-down lead may be withdrawn only upon instruction 
of the Director after an irregularity (see Laws 47E and 54); 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 (but not the presumed dummy) each may require a review of the 
auction, or request explanation of an opponent’s call (see Law 20F2 and 
20F3). Declarer10 or either defender may, at his first turn to play a card, re-
quire 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 own11 turn to play.
C. 
Opening Lead Faced
Following this Clarification Period, the opening lead is faced, the play pe-
riod 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), declarer or either defender, at his own11 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 
9 Regulating Authorities may specify that opening leads be made face up.
10 Declarer’s first turn to play is from dummy unless accepting an opening lead out of turn.
11 Declarer may enquire at his turn to play from dummy or from his own hand.

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ranking cards towards declarer, and in separate columns pointing length-
wise towards declarer. Trumps are placed to dummy’s right. Declarer plays 
both his hand and that of dummy.

A. Absolute Rights
1. 
Dummy is entitled to give information, in the Director’s presence, as 
to fact or law.
2. 
He may keep count of tricks won and lost.
3. 
He plays the cards of the dummy as declarer’s agent as directed and en-
sures that dummy follows suit (see Law 45F if dummy suggests a play).
B. Qualified Rights
Dummy may exercise other rights subject to the limitations stated in Law 43.
1. 
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. 
He may try to prevent any irregularity.
3. 
He may draw attention to any irregularity, but only after play of the 
hand is concluded.

Except as Law 42 allows:
A. Limitations on Dummy
1.     (a)     Dummy may not initiate a call for the Director during play un-
less another player has drawn attention to an irregularity.
(b) Dummy may not call attention to an irregularity during play.
(c) Dummy must not participate in the play, nor may he communi-
cate anything about the play to declarer.
2.     (a)     Dummy may not exchange hands with declarer.
(b) Dummy may not leave his seat to watch declarer’s play of the 
hand.

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(c) Dummy may not look at the face of a card in either defender’s 
hand.
3. 
A defender may not show dummy his hand.
B. If Violation Occurs
1. 
Dummy is liable to penalty under Law 90 for any violation of the 
limitations listed in A1 and A2.
2. 
If dummy, after his violation of the limitations listed in A2:
(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 consti-
tutes 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. 
If dummy after his violation of the limitations listed in A2 is the first 
to draw attention to a defender’s irregularity, there is no immediate 
rectification. Play continues as though no irregularity had occurred. 
At the end of play if the defending side has gained through its irreg-
ularity the Director adjusts only its score, taking away that advan-
tage. The declaring side retains the score achieved at the table.

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 obliga-
tion takes precedence over all other requirements of these Laws.

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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 contrib-
uted 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.

A. Play of Card from a Hand
Each player except dummy plays a card by detaching it from his hand and 
facing12 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. 
Card Deemed to be Played
1. 
A defender’s card held so that it is possible for his partner to see 
its face is deemed played to the current trick (if the defender has 
already made a legal play to the current trick, see Law 45E).
2. 
Declarer is deemed to have played a card from his hand if it is:
(a) held face up, touching or nearly touching the table; or
12  The opening lead is first made face down unless the Regulating Authority directs 
otherwise.

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(b) maintained in such a position as to indicate that it has been 
played.
3. 
A card in the dummy is played if it has been deliberately touched by 
declarer except for the purpose either of arranging dummy’s cards, or 
of reaching a card above or below the card or cards touched.
4.     (a)     A card is played if a player names or otherwise designates it as 
the card he proposes to play (but see Law 47).
(b) Declarer may correct an unintended designation of a card from 
dummy until he next plays a card from either his own hand or 
from dummy. A change of designation may be allowed after 
a slip of the tongue, but not after a loss of concentration or a 
reconsideration of action.  If an opponent has, in turn, played a 
card that was legal before the change in designation, that oppo-
nent may withdraw the card so played, return it to his hand, and 
substitute another (see Laws 47D and 16C1).
5. 
A penalty card, major or minor, may have to be played (see Law 50).
D. Dummy Picks up a Non-designated Card
1. 
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 with-
draw a card he had subsequently played to that trick. (See Law 16C.)
2. 
When it is too late to change dummy’s wrongly placed card (see 
above), the play continues normally without alteration of the cards 
played to this or any subsequent trick. If the wrongly placed card 
was the first card of the trick, then the failure to follow suit to that 
card may now constitute a revoke (see Laws 64A, 64B7 and 64C). If 
the wrongly placed card was contributed to a trick already in prog-
ress and dummy thereby has revoked, see Laws 64B3 and 64C.
E. 
Fifth Card Played to Trick
1. 
A fifth card contributed to a trick by a defender becomes a penalty 
card, subject to Law 50, unless the Director deems that it was led, in 
which case Law 53 or 56 applies.
2. 
When declarer contributes a fifth card to a trick from his own hand 
or dummy, it is returned to the hand without further rectification un-
less the Director deems that it was led, in which case Law 55 applies.

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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.
G. Turning the Trick
No player should turn his card face down until all four players have played 
to the trick.
LAW 46 – INCOMPLETE OR INVALID DESIGNATION 
OF A CARD FROM DUMMY
A. Proper Form for Designating Dummy’s Card
When calling for a card to be played from dummy declarer should clearly 
state both the suit and the rank of the desired card.
B. Incomplete or Invalid Designation
In the case of an incomplete or invalid designation, the following restric-
tions apply (except when declarer’s different intention is incontrovertible):
1.     (a)     If declarer in playing from dummy calls ‘high’, or words of like 
meaning, he is deemed to have called the highest card of the 
suit led. 
(b) If 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) If he calls ‘low’, or words of like meaning, he is deemed to have 
called the lowest card of the suit led.
2. 
If declarer designates a suit but not a rank he is deemed to have 
called the lowest card of the suit indicated.
3. 
If declarer designates a rank but not a suit:
(a) In leading, declarer is deemed to have continued the suit with 
which dummy won the preceding trick provided there is a card 
of the designated rank in that suit.

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(b) 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 desig-
nate which is intended.
4. 
If declarer calls for a card that is not in dummy the call is invalid 
and declarer may designate any legal card.
5. 
If declarer indicates a play without designating either a suit or a 
rank (as by saying ‘play anything’ or words of like meaning) either 
defender may designate the play from dummy.

A. In Course of Rectification
A card once played may be withdrawn when required by rectification fol-
lowing 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 Unintended 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 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 16C and 62C2 may apply.)
E. 
Change of Play Based on Misinformation
1. 
A lead out of turn (or play of a card) is retracted without further 
rectification if the player was mistakenly informed by an opponent 
that it was his turn to lead or play (see Law 16C). A lead or play may 
not be accepted by his LHO in these circumstances and Law 63A1 
does not apply.

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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 (see Law 16C). An opening 
lead may not be retracted after dummy has faced any card.
(b) When it is too late to correct a play under (a) the Director may 
award an adjusted score.
F. 
Other Retraction
1. 
A card may be withdrawn as Law 53B provides.
2. 
Except as this Law specifies, a card once played may not be with-
drawn.

A. 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.
B. Declarer Faces Cards
1. 
When declarer faces his cards after an opening lead out of turn, Law 
54 applies.
2. 
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.

Except in the normal course of play or application of law (see for exam-
ple Law 47E), 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 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 defend-
er’s concession.

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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 
72C may apply).
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.
B. Major or Minor Penalty Card
A single card below the rank of an honour exposed unintentionally (as 
in playing two cards to a trick, or in dropping a card accidentally) be-
comes a minor penalty card. Any card of honour rank, or any card ex-
posed 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.
C. 
Disposition of Minor Penalty Card
When a defender has a minor penalty card, he may not play any other card 
of the same suit below the rank of an honour until he has first played the 
penalty card, but he is entitled to play an honour card instead. Offender’s 
partner is not subject to lead restriction, but see E following.
D. Disposition of Major Penalty Card
When a defender has a major penalty card, both the offender and his part-
ner may be subject to restriction, the offender whenever he is to play, the 
partner whenever he is to lead.
1.     (a)     Except as provided in (b) below, a major penalty card must be 
played at the first legal opportunity, whether in leading, follow-
ing 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) The 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.

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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 require13 the defender to lead the suit of the penalty card, or 
to prohibit13 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 and the penalty card remains on the table as a 
penalty card14. If this option is selected Law 50D continues to 
apply for as long as the penalty card remains.
E. 
Information from a Penalty Card 
1. 
Information derived from a penalty card and the requirements for 
playing that penalty card are authorized for all players for as long as 
the penalty card remains on the table.
2. 
Information derived from a penalty card that has been returned to 
hand [as per Law 50D2(a)] is unauthorized for the partner of the 
player who had the penalty card (see Law 16C), but authorized for 
declarer.  
3. 
Once a penalty card has been played, information derived from the 
circumstances under which it was created is unauthorized for the 
partner of the player who had the card. (For a penalty card which 
has not yet been played, see E1 above.)
4. 
If following the application of E1 the Director judges at the end of 
play that without the assistance gained through the exposed card 
the outcome of the board could well have been different, and in 
consequence the non-offending side is damaged (see Law 12B1), 
he shall award an adjusted score. In his adjustment he should seek 
to recover as nearly as possible the probable outcome of the board 
without the effect of the penalty card(s).
13 If the player is unable to lead as required see Law 59.
14  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.

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A. Offender to Play
If it is a defender’s turn to play and that 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.     (a)     When a defender has two or more penalty cards in one suit, and 
declarer requires13 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) When a defender has two or more penalty cards in one suit, and 
declarer prohibits13 the defender’s partner from leading that suit, 
the defender picks up every penalty card in that suit and may 
make any legal play to the trick. The prohibition continues until 
the player loses the lead.
2.     (a)     When a defender has penalty cards in more than one suit [see 
Law 50D2(a)] and his partner is to lead, declarer may require15 
the defender’s partner to lead a specified suit in which the de-
fender has a penalty card [but B1(a) preceding then applies].       
(b) When a defender has penalty cards in more than one suit and 
his partner is to lead, declarer may prohibit15 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 player loses the lead.
(c) When a defender has penalty cards in more than one suit 
and his partner is to lead, declarer may elect not to require or 
prohibit a lead, in which case the defender’s partner may lead 
any card and the penalty cards remain on the table as penalty 
cards16. If this option is selected Laws 50 and 51 continue to 
apply for as long as the penalty cards remain.
15 If the player is unable to lead as required see Law 59.
16  If the partner of the defender with the penalty cards retains the lead, then all the 
requirements and options of Law 51B2 apply again at the following trick.

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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 or Law 51, he may not, on his own initiative, withdraw any other card 
he has played.
B. Defender Plays Another Card
1.     (a)     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 such lead or play if he has thereafter 
played from his own hand or dummy.
(c) If the played card is accepted under either (a) or (b) any un-
played penalty card remains a penalty card.
2. 
If declarer does not accept the card illegally played or led the de-
fender 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.

A. Lead Out of Turn Treated as Correct Lead
Prior to the thirteenth trick17, 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 irreg-
ular lead (but see B). 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).
B. 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 ir-
17 A lead out of turn at trick thirteen must be retracted.

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regular lead. When this occurs, the proper lead stands and all cards played 
in error to this trick may be withdrawn, but Law 16C applies.
C. 
Wrong Defender Plays Card to Declarer’s Irregular Lead
If declarer leads out of turn from either his own hand or from dummy, and 
the defender to the right of the irregular lead plays a card (but see B), the 
lead stands and Law 57 applies.

When an opening lead out of turn is faced 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 be-
comes declarer.
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 accor-
dance with Law 41.
1. 
The second card to the trick is played from declarer’s hand.
2. 
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 dum-
my may have exposed during the auction and that were subject to Law 
24), he must accept the lead and the presumed declarer then becomes 
declarer.
D. Declarer Refuses Opening Lead
Declarer 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.

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E. 
Opening Lead by Wrong Side
If a player of the declaring side attempts to make an opening lead Law 
24 applies.

A. Declarer’s Lead Accepted
If declarer has led out of turn from his or dummy’s hand then either de-
fender may accept the lead as provided in Law 53 or require its retraction 
(after misinformation, see Law 47E1). If the defenders choose differently 
then the option expressed by the player next in turn to the irregular lead 
shall prevail.
B. Declarer Required to Retract Lead
1. 
If declarer has led from his or dummy’s hand when it was a defend-
er’s turn to lead, and has been required to retract such lead per Law 
55A, declarer restores the card led in error to the proper hand. No 
further rectification applies.
2. 
If declarer has led from the wrong hand when it was his turn to lead 
from his hand or dummy’s, and has been required to retract the lead 
per Law 55A, 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 infor-
mation obtained through his infraction, Law 16 applies.

When a lead out of turn is faced, declarer may:
A. Accept the irregular lead as provided in Law 53, or
B. Require the defender to retract his faced lead out of turn.  The with-
drawn card becomes a major penalty card and Law 50D applies.

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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, the 
card so led or played becomes a major penalty card, and declarer selects 
one of the following options. He may:
1. 
require offender’s partner to play the highest card he holds of the 
suit led, or
2. 
require offender’s partner to play the lowest card he holds of the suit 
led, or
3. 
require offender’s partner to play a card of another suit specified by 
declarer, or
4. 
forbid offender’s partner to play a card of another suit specified by 
declarer.
B. Offender’s Partner Cannot Comply with Rectification
When offender’s partner is unable to comply with the rectification select-
ed by declarer (see A above) 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 part-
ner if declarer has played from both hands.  However a card is not 
considered to be played from dummy until declarer has instructed 
(or otherwise indicated18) the play.
2. 
A defender is not subject to rectification for playing before his part-
ner if dummy has of his own volition prematurely selected a card 
before his RHO or has illegally suggested that one be played.  
3. 
A premature play (not a lead) by declarer from either hand is a 
played card and if legal may not be withdrawn.
D. Premature Play at RHO’s Turn
When a defender attempts to play (not lead) to a trick at his RHO’s turn, 
Law 16 may apply. If his card can be legally played to the trick, it must be 
played at his proper turn: otherwise, it becomes a major penalty card.
18 as by a gesture or nod

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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. 
If the face of only one card is visible, that card is played; all other 
cards are picked up and there is no further rectification (see Law 
47F).
2. 
If the face of more than one card is visible, the offending 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 an offending player withdraws a visible card, an opponent who 
subsequently played to that trick may withdraw his play and substi-
tute another card without further rectification (but see Law 16C).
4. 
If the simultaneous play remains undiscovered until both sides have 
played to the next trick, Law 67 applies.

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.

A. Play of Card after Irregularity
1. 
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 offence.

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2. 
Once the right to rectification has been forfeited, the illegal play is 
treated as though it were in turn (except when Law 53B applies).
3. 
If 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.
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 major penalty card (Law 50).
C. 
Play by Offending Side before Assessment of Rectification
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.

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.)
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.
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 one another (at the risk of creating 
unauthorized information).
C. 
Right to Inspect Tricks
A claim of a revoke does not automatically warrant inspection of quitted 
tricks (see Law 66C).

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A. Revoke Must Be Corrected
A player must correct his revoke if attention is drawn to the irregularity 
before it becomes established.
B. Correcting a Revoke
To correct a revoke the offender withdraws the card he played and substi-
tutes a legal card.
1. 
A card so withdrawn becomes a major penalty card (Law 50) if it was 
played from a defender’s unfaced hand.
2. 
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.
C. 
Subsequent Cards Played 
1. 
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 16C).
2. 
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 (see Law 16C). 
3. 
If both sides revoke on the same trick and only one side has played 
to the subsequent trick, then both revokes must be corrected (see 
Law 16C2).  Every card withdrawn by the defending side becomes a 
penalty card.
D. Revoke on Trick Twelve
1. On the twelfth trick, a revoke, even if established, must be correct-
ed if discovered before all four hands have been returned to the 
board.
2. 
If a defender revokes on the twelfth trick before his partner’s turn to 
play to the trick, Law 16C applies.

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A. Revoke Becomes Established
A revoke becomes established:
1. 
when the offender or his partner leads or plays to the following trick 
(any such play, legal or illegal, establishes the revoke).
2. 
when the offender or his partner names or otherwise designates a 
card to be played to the following trick.
3. 
when a member of the offending side makes a claim or concession 
of tricks orally or by facing his hand or in any other way.
4. 
when agreement is established (as per Law 69A) to an opponent’s 
claim or concession; the offending side having raised no objection to 
it before the end of the round, or before making a call on a subse-
quent board.
B. Revoke May Not Be Corrected
Once a revoke is established, it may no longer be corrected (except as pro-
vided in Law 62D for a revoke on the twelfth trick or as in Law 62C3), and 
the trick on which the revoke occurred stands as played.

OF A REVOKE
A. Automatic Trick Adjustment
When a revoke is established:
1. 
and the trick on which the revoke occurred was won by the offend-
ing player19, 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. 
2. 
and the trick on which the revoke occurred was not won by the 
offending player19 then, if the offending side won that or any subse-
quent trick, after play ends one trick is transferred to the non-offend-
ing side.  
19 A trick won in dummy is not won by declarer for the purposes of this Law.

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B. No Automatic Trick Adjustment
There is no automatic trick adjustment following an established revoke 
(but see Law 64C) if:
1. 
the offending side did not win either the revoke trick or any subse-
quent trick.
2. 
it is a subsequent revoke in the same suit by the same player, the 
first revoke having been established. 
3. 
the revoke was made in failing to play a penalty card or any card 
belonging to dummy.
4. 
attention was first drawn to the revoke after a member of the 
non-offending side has made a call on the subsequent deal.
5. 
attention was first drawn to the revoke after the round has ended.
6. 
it is a revoke on the twelfth trick.
7. 
both sides have revoked on the same board and both revokes have 
become established.
8. 
the revoke has been corrected as per Law 62C3.
C. 
Redress of Damage
1. 
When, after any established revoke, including those not subject to 
trick adjustment, the Director deems that the non-offending side is 
insufficiently compensated by this Law for the damage caused, he 
shall assign an adjusted score.
2.     (a)     After repeated revokes by the same player in the same suit (see 
B2 above), the Director adjusts the score if the non-offending 
side would likely have made more tricks had one or more of the 
subsequent revokes not occurred.
(b) When both sides have revoked on the same board (see B7 
above) and the Director deems that a contestant has been 
damaged, he shall award an adjusted scored based on the likely 
result had no revokes occurred.

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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. 
If the player’s side has won the trick, the card is pointed lengthwise 
toward his partner.
2. 
If the opponents have won the trick, the card is pointed lengthwise 
toward the opponents.
3. 
A player may draw attention to a card pointed incorrectly, but this 
right expires when his side leads or plays to the following trick. If 
done later Law 16B may apply.
C. 
Orderliness
Each player arranges his own cards in an orderly overlapping row in the 
sequence played, so as to permit review of the play after its completion, if 
necessary to determine the number of tricks won by each side or the order 
in which the cards were played.
D. Agreement on Results of Play
A player should not disturb the order of his played cards until agreement 
has been reached on the number of tricks won. A player who fails to com-
ply with the provisions of this Law jeopardizes his right to claim owner-
ship of doubtful tricks or to claim (or deny) a revoke.

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 his side has led or played to the next trick, declarer or either defend-
er may inspect, but not expose, his own last card played.

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C. 
Quitted Tricks
Thereafter, until play ceases, the cards of quitted tricks may not be in-
spected (except at the Director’s specific instruction; for example, if neces-
sary 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 set-
tle 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 the Director can no longer as-
certain the facts after such a claim has been made, and only one side has 
mixed its cards, the Director shall rule in favour of the other side.

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 irregular-
ity before a player on each side has played to the following trick.
1. 
To rectify omission to play to a trick, the offender supplies a card he 
can legally play.
2. 
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
When the Director determines that there has 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); both sides having 
played to the next trick, he proceeds as follows:
1. 
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
(a) 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.

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(b) 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.
2.     (a)     When the offender has played more than one card to the defec-
tive trick, the Director inspects the played cards and requires the 
offender to restore to his hand all extra cards20, 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.
(b) 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.
3. 
When the Director determines that the offender did play a card to the 
trick, but that card was not placed among the quitted tricks, the Director 
finds the card and places it correctly among the offender’s played cards. 
The Director shall award an adjusted score if the same card was played 
to a subsequent trick and it is too late to correct the illegal play.

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 the statement or action pertains only to the winning or losing of an un-
completed trick currently in progress, play proceeds regularly; cards exposed 
or revealed by a defender do not become penalty cards, but Laws 16 and 57A 
may apply. 
A. Claim Defined
Any statement by declarer or a defender to the effect that a side will win 
a specific number of tricks is a claim of those tricks. A player also claims 
when he suggests that play be curtailed, or when he shows his cards (un-
20 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).

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less 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).
B. Concession Defined
1. 
Any statement by declarer or a defender to the effect that a side 
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, if a defender attempts to concede one or more 
tricks and his partner immediately objects; neither a concession nor 
a claim 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 16C applies to information arising from its 
exposure and the information may not be used by the partner of the 
defender who has exposed it.
C. 
Clarification Required
A claim should be accompanied at once by a clear statement of the line 
of play or defence through which the claimer proposes to win the tricks 
claimed, including the order in which the cards will be played. The player 
making the claim or concession faces his hand.
D. Suspension of Play
After any claim or concession, play is suspended. 
1. 
If the claim or concession is agreed, Law 69 applies. 
2. 
If it is doubted by any player (dummy included); either
(a) the Director may immediately be summoned and no action 
should be taken pending his arrival, Law 70 applies; or
(b) upon the request of the non-claiming or non-conceding side, 
play may continue subject to the following:
(i) all four players must concur; otherwise the Director is sum-
moned, who then proceeds as in (a) above. 
(ii) the prior claim or concession is void and not subject to 
adjudication.  Laws 16 and 50 do not apply, and the score 
subsequently obtained shall stand.

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A. Establishment of Agreement
Agreement is established when a side assents to an opponent’s claim or con-
cession, and raises no objection to it before making 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.
B. Withdrawal of Established Agreement
Agreement with a claim or concession (see A) 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.

A. General Objective
In ruling on a contested claim or concession, the Director adjudicates the 
result of the board as equitably as possible to both sides, but any doubt-
ful point as to a claim shall be resolved against the claimer. The Director 
proceeds as follows.
B. Clarification Statement Repeated
1. 
The Director requires claimer to repeat the clarification statement 
he made at the time of his claim.
2. 
Next, the Director hears the opponents’ objections to the claim (but 
the Director’s considerations are not limited only to the opponents’ 
objections).
3. 
The Director may require players to put their remaining cards face 
up on the table. 
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:

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1. 
claimer made no statement about that trump, and  
2. 
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. 
a trick could be lost to that trump by any normal21 play.
D. Director’s Considerations
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 normal21 line of play that would be less successful.
2. 
The Director does not accept any part of a defender’s claim that de-
pends on his partner selecting a particular play from among alterna-
tive normal21 plays.
E. 
Unstated Line of Play 
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 normal21 line of play.
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).

A concession must stand, once made, except that within the Correction 
Period established under Law 79C the Director shall cancel a concession:
A. if a player conceded a trick his side had, in fact, won; or
B. 
if a player has conceded a trick that could not be lost by any nor-
mal22 play of the remaining cards.
The board is rescored with such trick awarded to his side.
21  For the purposes of Laws 70 and 71, “normal” includes play that would be careless or 
inferior for the class of player involved.
22  For the purposes of Laws 70 and 71, “normal” includes play that would be careless or 
inferior for the class of player involved.

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A. Observance of Laws
Duplicate bridge tournaments should be played in strict accordance with 
the Laws. The chief object is to obtain a higher score than other contes-
tants whilst complying with the lawful procedures and ethical standards 
set out in these laws.
B. Infraction of Law
1. 
A player must not infringe a law intentionally, even if there is a pre-
scribed rectification he is willing to accept.
2. 
In general there is no obligation to draw attention to an infraction 
of law committed by one’s own side (but see Law 20F for a mistaken 
explanation and see Laws 62A and 79A2).
3. 
A player may not attempt to conceal an infraction, as by committing 
a second revoke, concealing a card involved in a revoke or mixing 
the cards prematurely.
C. 
Awareness of Potential Damage
If the Director determines that an offender could have been aware at the 
time of his irregularity that it could well damage the non-offending side, 
he shall require the auction and play to continue (if not completed).  At the 
conclusion of play the Director awards an adjusted score if he considers 
the offending side has gained an advantage through the irregularity.
LAW 73 – COMMUNICATION, BEHAVIOUR,  
TEMPO AND DECEPTION
A. Proper Forms of Communication between Partners
1. 
Communication between partners during the auction and play shall 
be effected only by means of calls and plays, except as specifically 
authorized by these laws.
2. 
Calls and plays shall be made without emphasis, mannerism or 
inflection, and without intentional haste or hesitation (but see Law 
73D3).

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B. Prohibited Forms of Communication between Partners
Players must not communicate, nor attempt to communicate, via means 
other than those described in Law 73A.
C. 
Incidental Unauthorized Information from Partner
1. 
When a player has available to him incidental unauthorized informa-
tion from his partner, such as from a remark, question, explanation, 
gesture, mannerism, inflection, haste or hesitation, or an unexpected 
alert or failure to alert, he must carefully avoid taking advantage of 
it [see Law 16B1(a)].
2. 
A penalty may be assessed against a player who violates C1, but if 
the opponents have been damaged, see also Law 16B3.
D. Variations in Tempo or Manner
1. 
It is desirable for players to maintain steady tempo and unvarying 
manner. Players should be particularly careful when variations 
may work to the benefit of their side. Otherwise, unintentionally 
to vary the tempo or manner in which a call or play is made is not 
an infraction. Inferences from such variations are authorized only 
to the opponents, who may act upon the information at their own 
risk.
2. 
A player may not attempt to mislead an opponent by means of a 
question, remark or gesture; by the haste or hesitancy of a call or 
play (for example hesitating before playing a singleton); by the man-
ner in which a call or play is made; or by any purposeful deviation 
from correct procedure (see also Law 73E2).
3. 
Regulating Authorities may require mandatory pauses, such as on the 
first round of the auction, or after a skip-bid warning, or on the first 
trick.
E. 
Deception
1. 
A player may appropriately attempt to deceive an opponent through 
a call or play (so long as the deception is not emphasized by man-
nerism, unwonted haste or hesitancy, nor protected by concealed 
partnership understanding or experience).
2. 
If the Director determines that an innocent player has drawn a 
false inference from a question, remark, manner, tempo or the like, 
of an opponent who has no demonstrable bridge reason for the ac-
tion, and who could have been aware, at the time of the action, that 

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it could work to his benefit, the Director shall award an adjusted 
score.

A. Proper Attitude
1. 
A player should maintain a courteous attitude at all times.
2. 
A player should carefully avoid any remark or extraneous action 
that might cause annoyance or embarrassment to another player or 
might interfere with the enjoyment of the game.
3. 
Every player should follow uniform and correct procedure in calling 
and playing.
B. Etiquette
As a matter of courtesy a player should refrain from:
1. 
paying insufficient attention to the game.
2. 
making gratuitous comments during the auction and play.
3. 
detaching a card before it is his turn to play.
4. 
prolonging play unnecessarily (as in playing on although he knows 
that all the tricks are surely his) for the purpose of disconcerting an 
opponent.
5. 
summoning and addressing the Director in a manner discourteous to 
him or to other contestants.
C. 
Violations of Procedure
The following are examples of violations of procedure:
1. 
using different designations for the same call.
2. 
indicating approval or disapproval of a call or play.
3. 
indicating the expectation or intention of winning or losing a trick 
that has not been completed.
4. 
commenting or acting during the auction or play so as to call 
attention to a significant occurrence, or to the number of tricks still 
required for success.
5. 
looking intently at any other player during the auction and play, or 

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at another player’s hand as for the purpose of seeing his cards or 
of observing the place from which he draws a card (but it is appro-
priate to act on information acquired by unintentionally seeing an 
opponent’s card23).
6. 
showing an obvious lack of further interest in a deal (as by folding 
one’s cards).
7. 
varying the normal tempo of bidding or play for the purpose of dis-
concerting an opponent.
8. 
leaving the table needlessly before the round is called.

OR MISTAKEN CALL
After a misleading explanation has been given to opponents the respon-
sibilities of the players (and the Director) are as follows:
A. Mistake Causing Unauthorized Information
Irrespective of whether or not an explanation is a correct statement of 
partnership agreement, a player, having heard his partner’s explanation, 
knows that his own call has been misinterpreted.  This knowledge is un-
authorized information (see Law 16A) and the player must carefully avoid 
taking any advantage from it (see Law 73C); otherwise the Director shall 
award an adjusted score.
B. Mistaken Explanation
1. 
When the partnership agreement is different from the explanation 
given, the explanation is an infraction of Law.  When this infrac-
tion results in damage to the non-offending side, the Director shall 
award an adjusted score.
2. 
If a player becomes aware of his own mistake, he must summon 
the Director before the opening lead is faced (or during the play, if 
discovered later), and then provide a correction.  The player is also 
permitted to call the Director before the auction ends, but he is 
under no obligation to do so (see Law 20F4).
3. 
The player’s partner must do nothing to correct the mistaken explana-
23 See Law 73D2 when a player may have shown his cards intentionally.

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tion while the auction continues and if he subsequently becomes a de-
fender, he must call the Director and correct the explanation only after 
play ends.  If the player’s partner is to be declarer or dummy, he must, 
after the final pass, call the Director and then provide a correction.
C. 
Mistaken Call
When the partnership agreement has been explained correctly, the mis-
take being the call made and not the explanation, there is no infraction. 
The explanation must not be corrected (nor must the Director be notified) 
immediately and there is no obligation to do so subsequently.  Regardless 
of damage, the result stands [but see Law 21B1(b)].
D. Director’s Determination
1. 
Players are expected to disclose their partnership agreements accu-
rately (see Law 20F1); failure to do so constitutes Misinformation.
2. 
It is a condition of any partnership agreement that both players 
possess the same mutual understanding, and it is an infraction to 
describe an agreement where the same mutual understanding does 
not exist.  If the Director determines that the misleading explanation 
was not based upon a partnership agreement, he applies Law 21B.
3. 
When there is an infraction (as per B1 or D2) and sufficient evidence 
exists as to the agreed meaning of the call, the Director awards an 
adjusted score based upon the likely outcome had the opponents 
received the correct explanation in a timely manner.  If the Director 
determines that the call has no agreed meaning, he awards an ad-
justed score based upon the likely outcome had the opponents been 
so informed.

A. Control
1. 
Spectators in the playing area24 are subject to the control of the 
Director under the regulations for the tournament.
24  The playing area includes all parts of the accommodation where a player 
may be present during a session in which he is participating. It may be fur-
ther defined by regulation.

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2. 
Regulating Authorities and Tournament Organizers who grant facili-
ties for electronic transmission of play as it occurs may establish by 
regulation the terms by which such transmissions are viewed and 
prescribe acceptable conduct for viewers. (A viewer must not com-
municate with a player in the course of a session in which the latter 
is playing.)
B. At the Table
1. 
A spectator may not look at the hand of more than one player unless 
allowed by regulation.
2. 
A spectator must not show any reaction to the bidding or play when 
a deal is in progress.
3. 
During a round a spectator must refrain from mannerisms or remarks 
of any kind and must have no conversation with a player.
4. 
A spectator must not disturb a player.
5. 
A spectator at the table shall not draw attention to any aspect of the 
game.
C. 
Participation
1. 
A spectator may speak as to fact or law within the playing area24 
only when requested to do so by the Director.
2. 
Regulating Authorities and Tournament Organizers may specify how 
to deal with irregularities caused by spectators.
D. Status
Any person in the playing area24, other than a player or a tournament offi-
cial, has the status of a spectator unless the Director specifies differently.

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LAW 77 – DUPLICATE BRIDGE SCORING TABLE
Trick Score
Scored by declarer’s side if the contract is fulfilled.
If Trumps are:
♣
♦
♥
♠
For each odd trick bid and made
Undoubled
20
20
30
30
Doubled
40
40
60
60
Redoubled
80
80
120
120
At a No-trump Contract
For first odd trick bid and made
Undoubled
40
Doubled
80
Redoubled
160
For each additional odd trick
Undoubled
30
Doubled
60
Redoubled
120
A trick score of 100 points or more, made on one board, is GAME.
A trick score of less than 100 points is a PARTSCORE.
Premium Score
Scored by declarer’s side
Slams
For making a slam
Not Vulnerable
Vulnerable
Small Slam (12 tricks)  
bid and made
500
750
Grand Slam (all 13 tricks)  
bid and made
1000
1500

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Overtricks
For each  
(tricks made in excess of contract)
Not Vulnerable
Vulnerable
Undoubled
Trick Value
Trick Value
Doubled
100
200
Redoubled
200
400
Premiums for Game, Partscore, Fulfilling Contract
For making GAME vulnerable
500
For making GAME, not vulnerable
300
For making any PARTSCORE
50
For making any doubled, but not redoubled contract
50
For making any redoubled contract
100
Undertrick Penalties
Scored by declarer’s opponents if the contract is not fulfilled
Undertricks
Tricks by which declarer falls short of the contract
For first undertrick
Not Vulnerable
Vulnerable
Undoubled
50
100
Doubled
100
200
Redoubled
200
400
For each additional undertrick
Undoubled
50
100
Doubled
200
300
Redoubled
400
600
Bonus for the fourth and each subsequent undertrick
Undoubled
0
0
Doubled
100
0
Redoubled
200
0
If all four players pass (see Law 22) each side enters a zero score.

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OF CONTEST
A. Matchpoint Scoring
In matchpoint scoring each contestant is awarded, for scores made by dif-
ferent contestants who have played the same board and whose scores are 
compared with his, two scoring units (matchpoints or half matchpoints) 
for each score inferior to his, one scoring unit for each score equal to his, 
and zero scoring units for each score superior to his.
B. International Matchpoint Scoring
In international matchpoint scoring, on each board the total point differ-
ence between the two scores compared is converted into IMPs according 
to the following scale.
Difference 
in points
IMPs
Difference 
in points
IMPs
Difference in 
points
IMPs
20-40
1
370-420
9
1500-1740
17
50-80
2
430-490
10
1750-1990
18
90-120
3
500-590
11
2000-2240
19
130-160
4
600-740
12
2250-2490
20
170-210
5
750-890
13
2500-2990
21
220-260
6
900-1090
14
3000-3490
22
270-310
7
1100-1290
15
3500-3990
23
320-360
8
1300-1490
16
4000 +
24
C. 
Total Point Scoring
In total point scoring, the net total point score of all boards played is the 
score for each contestant.
D. Conditions of Contest
If approved by the Regulating Authority other scoring methods (for exam-
ple conversions to Victory Points) may be adopted. The Tournament Or-
ganizer should publish Conditions of Contest in advance of a tournament 
or contest. These should detail conditions of entry, methods of scoring, 
determination of winners, breaking of ties, and the like. The Conditions 

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must not conflict with law or regulation and shall incorporate any infor-
mation specified by the Regulating Authority. They should be available to 
contestants.

A. Agreement on Tricks Won
1. 
The number of tricks won shall be agreed upon before all four hands 
have been returned to the board.
2. 
A player must not knowingly accept either the score for a trick that 
his side did not win or the concession of a trick that his opponents 
could not lose. 
B. Disagreement on Tricks Won
If a disagreement arises, the Director must be called, then:
1. 
The Director determines whether there has been a claim or conces-
sion and, if so, applies Law 69B or Law 71.
2. 
If B1 above does not apply, the Director rules what score is to be 
recorded. 
3. 
If the Director is not called before the round ends, the score may be 
changed for both sides only when he is clearly convinced as to the 
result obtained at the table. Otherwise he should either allow the 
recorded score to stand, or decrease the score for one side without 
increasing it for the other.
C. 
Error in Score
1. 
An error in recording or computing the agreed-upon score, whether 
made by a player or an official, may be corrected until the expiration of 
the period(s) specified by the Tournament Organizer. Unless the Tourna-
ment Organizer specifies a later25 time, this Correction Period expires 30 
minutes after the official score has been made available for inspection.
2. 
Subject to approval by the Tournament Organizer, a scoring error 
may be corrected after expiry of the Correction Period if the Director 
is satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the record is wrong. 
25 An earlier time may be specified when required by the special nature of a contest

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A. The Regulating Authority
1. 
The Regulating Authority under these laws is:
(a) for its own world tournaments and events the World Bridge 
Federation.
(b) the respective Zonal Authority for tournaments and events held 
under its auspices.
(c) for any other tournament or event the National Bridge Organiza-
tion under whose  auspices the tournament takes place.
2. 
The Regulating Authority has the responsibilities and powers speci-
fied in these laws.
3. 
The Regulating Authority may delegate its powers (retaining ul-
timate responsibility for their exercise) or it may assign them (in 
which case it has no further responsibility for their exercise). 
B. Tournament Organizer
1. 
The Regulating Authority may recognize an entity, designated the 
‘Tournament Organizer’, which subject to the requirements of the 
Regulating Authority and these laws is responsible for arranging 
and preparing a tournament or event. The Tournament Organizer’s 
powers and duties may be delegated but the responsibility for their 
performance is retained. The Regulating Authority and the Tourna-
ment Organizer may be the same body.
2. 
The Tournament Organizer’s powers and duties include:
(a) appointment of the Director. If there is no appointed Director 
the players should designate a person to perform his functions.
(b) to make advance arrangements for the tournament, including 
playing quarters, equipment and all other logistical require-
ments.
(c) to establish the date and time of each session.
(d) to establish the conditions of entry.
(e) to establish the conditions for bidding and play in accordance 
with these laws, together with any special conditions (as, for ex-
ample, play with screens – provisions for rectification of actions 
not transmitted across the screen may be varied).

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(f) to announce regulations supplementary to, but not in conflict 
with, these Laws.
(g) (i)    to arrange26 for the appointment of any assistants required 
for the Director.
(ii) to appoint other staff and prescribe their duties and respon-
sibilities.
(h) to arrange26 for entries to be accepted and listed.
(i) to establish suitable conditions of play and announce them to 
the contestants.
(j) to arrange26 for scores to be collected, results tabulated, and an 
official record made of them.
(k) to make suitable arrangements for the conduct of appeals under 
Law 93.
(l) any other powers and duties conferred in these laws.

A. Official Status
The Director is the official representative of the Tournament Organizer.
B. Restrictions and Responsibilities
1. 
The Director is responsible for the on-site technical management 
of the tournament. He has powers to remedy any omissions of the 
Tournament Organizer.
2. 
The Director applies, and is bound by, these Laws and supplementary 
regulations announced under authority given in these Laws.
C. 
Director’s Duties and Powers
The Director (not the players) has the responsibility for rectifying irregu-
larities and redressing damage. The Director’s duties and powers normally 
include also the following:
1. 
to maintain discipline and to ensure the orderly progress of the game.
26  It is normal in some jurisdictions for the Director to assume responsibility for some or 
all of the tasks that the Tournament Organizer is here required to arrange.

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2. 
to administer and interpret these Laws and to advise the players of 
their rights and responsibilities thereunder.
3. 
to rectify an error or irregularity of which he becomes aware in any 
manner, within the periods established in accordance with Laws 79C 
and 92B.
4. 
to assess rectification when applicable and to exercise the powers 
given him in Laws 90 and 91.
5. 
to waive rectification for cause, in his discretion, upon the request of 
the non-offending side.
6. 
to adjust disputes.
7. 
to refer any matter to an appropriate committee.
8. 
to report results for the official record if the Tournament Organizer 
requires it and to deal with any other matters delegated to him by 
the Tournament Organizer.
D. Delegation of Duties
The Director may delegate any of his duties to assistants, but he is not 
thereby relieved of responsibility for their correct performance.

OF PROCEDURE
A. Director’s Duty
It is the responsibility of the Director to rectify errors of procedure and 
to maintain the progress of the game in a manner that is not contrary to 
these Laws.
B. Rectification of Error
To rectify an error in procedure the Director may:
1. 
award an adjusted score as permitted by these Laws.
2. 
require, postpone, or cancel the play of a board.
3. 
exercise any other power given to him in these Laws.

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C. 
Director’s Error
If a ruling has been given that the Director subsequently determines to be 
incorrect, and if no rectification will allow the board to be scored normally, 
he shall award an adjusted score, treating both sides as non-offending for 
that purpose.

If the Director believes that a review of his decision on a point of fact or ex-
ercise of his discretionary power could well be in order, he shall advise a contes-
tant of his right to appeal or may refer the matter to an appropriate committee.

When the Director is called to rule on a point of law or regulation, and the 
facts are agreed, he rules as follows:
A. No Rectification
If no rectification is prescribed by law, and there is no occasion for him to 
exercise his discretionary powers, he directs the players to proceed with 
the auction or play. 
B. Law Provides Rectification
If the case is clearly covered by a Law that prescribes the rectification 
for the irregularity, he determines that rectification and ensures that it is 
implemented. 
C. 
Player’s Option
If a Law gives a player a choice of rectification the Director explains the 
options and sees that the choice is made and implemented.
D. Director’s Option
The Director rules any doubtful point in favour of the non-offending side. 
He seeks to restore equity. If in his judgement it is probable that a non-of-
fending side has been damaged by an irregularity for which these laws 
provide no rectification he adjusts the score (see Law 12).

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When the Director is called upon to rule on a point of law or regulation in 
which the facts are not agreed upon, he proceeds as follows:
A. Director’s Assessment
1. 
In determining the facts the Director shall base his view on the bal-
ance of probabilities, which is to say in accordance with the weight 
of the evidence he is able to collect.
2. 
If the Director is then satisfied that he has ascertained the facts, he 
rules as in Law 84.
B. Facts Not Determined
If the Director is unable to determine the facts to his satisfaction, he 
makes a ruling that will permit play to continue.

A. Substitute Board
The Director shall not exercise his Law 6 authority to order one board 
redealt when the final result of a match without that board could be 
known to a contestant.  Instead, he awards an adjusted score.
B. Result Obtained at Other Table
1. 
Single Result Obtained
In team play when the Director awards an adjusted score and the 
result at the other table between the same contestants is clearly fa-
vourable to one side, the Director shall award an assigned adjusted 
score [see Law 12C1(c), but for multiple adjusted scores see B2 fol-
lowing].
2. 
Multiple Results Obtained at One or More Tables27
In team play when two or more non-comparable results have been 
obtained between the same contestants or when these Laws other-
wise require the Director to award more than one adjusted score:
27  including results from a fouled board

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(a) If no contestant was at fault, the Director shall cancel the boar-
d(s) and award one or more artificial adjusted scores [see Law 
12C2] or, if time permits, play one or more substitute boards (but 
see A above). 
(b) If only one contestant was at fault, the Director shall award to 
the non-offending side, for each board in question, either an 
artificial adjusted score of average plus [see Law 12C2(b)] or an 
assigned adjusted score, whichever is more favourable.  The of-
fending side shall receive the complement of the score awarded 
to their opponents.
(c) If both contestants were at fault, the Director shall cancel the 
board(s) and award one or more artificial adjusted scores [see 
Law 12C2].
3. 
The Regulating Authority may provide differently for circumstances 
where boards have been played at only one table between the same 
or multiple contestants.  The score awarded for each such board may 
be varied by regulation from that prescribed in B2, however in the 
absence of a relevant regulation, the Director proceeds as above.

A. Definition
A board is considered to be fouled if the Director determines that a card 
(or more than one) was displaced in the board, or if he determines that 
the dealer or vulnerability differed between copies of the same board, and 
the contestants who should have had a score comparison did not play the 
board in identical form for such reason.
B. Pairs and Individual Scoring
In scoring a fouled board the Director determines as closely as possible 
which scores were obtained on the board in its correct form and which in 
the changed form(s). He divides the scores on that basis into groups and 
rates each group separately as provided in the regulations for the tour-
nament. (In the absence of a relevant regulation the Director selects and 
announces his method.)
C. 
Teams Scoring
See Law 86B2.

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See Law 12C2.
LAW 89 – PROHIBITED BEHAVIOUR AND 
REPREHENSIBLE CONDUCT
A. It is an offence to:
1. 
Seek to obtain via illicit means information about the board current-
ly in play; or about boards designated for later play.
2. 
Use illicit information about the board currently in play; or about 
boards designated for later play.
3. 
Convey, or attempt to convey, via prohibited means information to 
partner about a board currently in play.
4. 
Convey, or attempt to convey, to other players information about 
boards designated for later play.
B. A player who violates A above shall be subject to the sanctions relating 
to reprehensible conduct, as specified by the relevant disciplinary code.28
C. 
Statistical or probabilistic analysis may be used to establish or support a 
charge that a contestant has utilized prohibited methods of communication.
D. Any of the following may be considered grounds for a determination of 
wrongdoing; irrespective of the actual outcome on the boards in ques-
tion or the subsequent actions (or lack thereof) by partner:
1. 
The existence of a statistically significant correlation between a 
player’s manner or behaviour and the cards held by that player.
2. 
The existence of a statistically significant correlation between a 
player’s anomalous choice of action and the cards held by either 
their partner or an opponent.
3. 
The possession of information illicitly obtained that relates to un-
played boards or unpublished results.
28  A Regulating Authority may also consider evidence arising from events played out-
side of its jurisdiction, including disciplinary actions taken by another Regulating 
Authority.

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A. Director’s Authority
The Director, in addition to implementing the rectifications in these Laws, 
may also assess procedural penalties for any offence that unduly delays 
or obstructs the game, inconveniences other contestants, violates correct 
procedure, or requires the award of an adjusted score.
B. Offences Subject to Procedural Penalty
The following are examples of offences subject to procedural penalty (but 
the offences are not limited to these):
1. 
arrival of a contestant after the specified starting time.
2. 
unduly slow play by a contestant.
3. 
discussion of the bidding, play or result of a board, which may be 
overheard at another table.
4. 
unauthorized comparison of scores with another contestant.
5. 
touching or handling of cards belonging to another player (see Law 7).
6. 
placing one or more cards in an incorrect pocket of the board.
7. 
errors in procedure (such as failure to count cards in one’s hand, playing 
the wrong board, etc.) that require an adjusted score for any contestant.
8. 
failure to comply promptly with tournament regulations or with 
instructions of the Director.

A. Director’s Powers
In performing his duty to maintain order and discipline, the Director is em-
powered to assess disciplinary penalties in points or to suspend a player 
or contestant for the current session or any part thereof. The Director’s 
decision under this clause is final (see Law 93B3).
B. Right to Disqualify
The Director is empowered to disqualify a player or contestant for cause, 
subject to approval by the Tournament Organizer.

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A. Contestant’s Right
A contestant or his captain may appeal for a review of any ruling made at 
his table by the Director. Any such request, if deemed to lack merit, may be 
the subject of a sanction imposed by regulation.
B. Time of Appeal
The right to request or appeal a Director’s ruling expires 30 minutes after 
the official score has been made available for inspection unless the Tour-
nament Organizer has specified a different time period.
C. 
How to Appeal
All requests for a review of a ruling shall be made through the Director.
D. Concurrence of Appellants
An appeal shall not be heard unless:
1. 
in a pairs event both members of the partnership concur in mak-
ing the appeal (but in an individual contest an appellant does not 
require his partner’s concurrence).
2. 
in a team event the team captain concurs in making the appeal.

A. No Appeals Committee
The Director in charge shall hear and rule upon all appeals if there is no 
Appeals Committee [or if no alternative arrangement has been made un-
der Law 80B2(k)], or if such cannot operate without disturbing the orderly 
progress of the tournament.
B. Appeals Committee Available
If a committee (or authorized alternative) is available:
1. 
The Director in charge shall hear and rule upon such part of the 
appeal as deals solely with the Law or regulations. His ruling may be 
appealed to the committee.
2. 
The Director in charge shall refer all other appeals for adjudication.

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3. 
In adjudicating appeals, the committee (or the authorized alternative) 
may exercise all powers assigned by these Laws to the Director, except 
that it may not overrule the Director in charge on a point of law or 
regulations, or on exercise of his Law 91 disciplinary powers. (It may 
recommend to the Director in charge that he change such a ruling.)
C. 
Further Possibilities of Appeal
1. 
Regulating Authorities may establish procedures for further appeals 
after the foregoing procedures have been exhausted. Any such fur-
ther appeal, if deemed to lack merit, may be the subject of a sanction 
imposed by regulation.
2. 
The Director in charge or the reviewing body may refer a matter 
for later consideration by the Regulating Authority. The Regulating 
Authority has authority to resolve any matter finally.
3.    (a)     Notwithstanding 1 and 2 above, where deeming it crucial to 
the progress of the tournament, the Regulating Authority may 
assign to a specified tournament body the responsibility for 
dealing finally with any appeal and, along with the parties to 
the appeal, is then bound by the outcome.
(b) With due notice given to the contestants a Regulating Authority 
may authorize the omission or modification of such stages as it 
wishes of the appeals process set out in these Laws.29
29  The Regulating Authority is responsible for compliance with any national law that 
may affect its action.