Bridge Etiquette

Turn off your mobile phone. (If it is absolutely vital you have it on, leave it on ‘vibrate’.)

It is necessary to play quite quickly. The aim is to be able to play:

Monday and Friday 22 boards Wednesday 27 boards and Thursday 12 boards.

Be pleasant to your partner and opponents (this does not apply to the Director).

Greet your new opponents as they arrive at your table. Do not continue to discuss the previous hand.

Explain your system clearly and simply, if asked. Answer any questions clearly.

Sort and count your cards quickly, so that you can bid promptly when it is your turn.

Do not sort through your cards again when it is your turn to bid.

Do not ask what a bid means unless you are intending to bid. Ask any questions when the auction is over.

Do not touch the bidding box or bidding cards until you are sure of what to bid.

Do not put your bidding cards away until the initial lead has been accepted.

When you are making the initial lead, play your card before you record the contract. (Three people are waiting!)

Place this card face down on the table first, to check whether partner has any questions about the auction.

As dummy, lay out the cards before you write down the contract. (Three people are waiting!)

As declarer, plan your campaign before you select a card from dummy.

As dummy, do not play the first card (even if it is a singleton) until declarer has worked out his plan and called for it.

As declarer, always call for the card you wish dummy to play.

As declarer, when you lead to a trick, wait for LHO to play his card before calling a card from dummy.

When making a claim, explain your intended line of play immediately and clearly.

When the hand has been completed, North should record the score  and East confirm it is correct.

If you fall behind play, the Director may ask you not to play a board

On Completion of the Play

Do not hold long post-mortems.

Do not touch any other players’ cards.

North handles new boards.

Do not move until the Director tells you to.

Thank your opponents at the end of the round and move quickly to your new table.