Manchester Bridge Club Etiquette 

    On Arrival

• Please arrive at least 5 minutes before the start of the session.
• If you need a partner please either let Jeff or David know in advance or arrive for the session at least 10 minutes prior to the start.
• Make sure the Director is aware that you want to play or you can reserve your place at a table when you arrive.
• Please put your mobile phone on silent and do not answer it during the playing session.  If it may be essential for you to answer an important call please let the Director know in advance.

Each New Round

• Greet your opponents as they arrive at your table.
• Try not to be critical of your own partner or other players.
• If asked about your system, explain it simply. Answer any questions for clarification clearly.
• Try not to use bridge jargon especially when describing your system to less experienced players.
• Count you cards face down and sort them promptly so you are ready to bid when it your turn.
• You cannot ask what a bid means unless it is your turn and you are intending to bid.  Ask any questions when the auction is over before the lead card is shown.

The Play

• Do not put your bidding cards away until the initial lead has been made.
• When you are making the initial lead, play your card before you enter the contract on your score card or into the Bridgemate – 3 people are waiting!
• As dummy, lay the cards out before you write down the contract or enter the details on your score card – 3 people are waiting!
• As dummy, do not play the first card (even if it is a singleton) until declarer has worked out their plan and called for a card from dummy.
• If there is a problem, call the Director straight away. Trying to sort things out between yourselves can sometimes make things worse.
• When making a claim, explain your intended line of play clearly.
• When the hand has been completed, North should fill in the score on the Bridgemate and East/West accept it prior to any discussion about the board.

On Completion of the Play

• Do not discuss the boards in detail until you have completed all the boards for that round unless you are clearly well ahead of the other tables.
• Do not discuss the final board if ‘move to next table’ has been called.
• Check the Clock so you are aware if you are ahead or behind the expected playing time.
• Thank your opponents at the end of each round and move quickly to your new table.