We are a friendly club and we want to keep it that way. Please help us by observing the following.

Speeding up play…

• Try not to discuss each hand before going on to the next. Restrict your discussion to the end of the round, if there is time
• If you are on opening lead, always make your lead as soon as possible and before writing the contract down on your score card.  This enables dummy to go down and speeds up play
• If you are dummy, once the opening lead has been faced, put your cards down on the table as soon as possible. Then, put away your bidding cards.  You will have plenty of time afterwards to note the contract on your scorecard
• If it is a Howell movement, take note of your pair number, which table you will move to next and who you are following, as you will do this all night
• Before pairs move, it is North's duty to pass the boards to the next table (normally down one table)
• Wait for the Director to call the movement, then move promptly

How do we want to behave?  Good bridge manners at the table...

• Please switch off your mobile phone before the start of play
• Be a good 'host' or 'guest' at the table
• Always greet your opponents at the start of the round
• Don't give unasked for 'tuition' after a hand
• Don't gloat over a good result nor moan over a bad one
• We have bidding boxes, so try not to discuss the bidding or results so that other tables can hear
• Give credit to your opponents (or partner) when they have bid or played well and avoid public criticism of others' play
• Remember that calling the Director for a decision is helpful and not a critical action
• Always be polite to your Director. He/she is there to help you
• In fact, always be polite…there is no excuse for rudeness in bridge or any other situation in life
• AND PLEASE, if anything has occurred during the evening to upset you, don't go home unhappy - have a quiet word with the Director or any member of the Committee before you leave.

Fair Play

Most of you have told us you are happy to play 27 Boards (to allow E/W to play 24 Boards when the movement calls for it). We need to make sure that we finish at a reasonable time, and that means doing all that we can to speed up play. 

1. All players need to arrive at the club by 6.45 and at least one of your pair needs to draw a card from the director to determine starting position and to be seated by 6.50.  Only take a seat if you are sure you have a partner.  Once the Bridgemates are live, both pairs’ club numbers need to be entered.  The movement will be set by 6.55.  Any players arriving after the movement has been set may not be able to play. 

2. While we all enjoy the social side of Bridge,  it would be really helpful if any chat can be mainly reserved until the end of the round i.e. when all 3 or 4 Boards have been played.

3. Shouting out the contract, or the number of tricks made, can create unfairness e.g.  a game contract the others may not have bid or, when the number of tricks made show that game could have been bid.  With Bridgemates, there is no need to say anything at all, the score can just be shown to everyone at your table.

4. Talking loudly about the detail of a particular hand could create an unfair situation and ruin other peoples’ evening. For example, players who hear too much about a hand are ethically required to tell the Director that they can’t play it.  Also, players overhearing some information may have unfair advantage over others.   We would be genuinely reluctant to apply penalties, like point deductions, for persistent offenders.

5. It would save a lot of time if these simple things are done:

• If you are on lead, make it before writing on your scorecard, or entering the contract into the Bridgemate. This will enable dummy to go down and play to start.
• If you are dummy, put the hand on the table before writing on your scorecard/Bridgemate.
• After each hand, please feel free to look at the scores on the Bridgemate, but save any QUIET discussion until the end of the round.

6. At the end of the round, North should pass the Boards promptly to the next table. If one Board is still in play, please pass the other two.