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Conduct & Etiquette at Table
CODE OF CONDUCT AND ETIQUETTE AT BRIDGE TABLE

CODE OF CONDUCT AND ETIQUETTE AT BRIDGE TABLE

Courteous behaviour is an exceptionally important part of that enjoyment. Law 74 of the Laws of Bridge sets out rules on courtesy and etiquette.
This code serves as a reminder to all players (members and visitors). Below are some of the DOs & DONTs but is not an exhaustive list. The aim is quite simple :-

MORE ENJOYMENT, MORE FUN and NO AGGRAVATION

1. EXPECTED BEHAVIOUR

1.1. Greeting the pair arriving at the table in a friendly manner.
1.2. Being a good ‘host’ or ‘guest’ at the table.
1.3. Giving credit for good bids or plays.
1.4. Bidding and playing a hand at a uniform speed.
1.5. Explaining fully, when asked, your partnership bids & any related conventions.
1.6. Moving to the next table as soon as possible after the TD calls move.
1.7. Summoning the TD appropriately i.e. ‘Director please’ NOT ‘Director’, and accepting his ruling at the table. Note– you retain a right of appeal.
1.8. Ensure that your mobile phone is turned off or set to silent.
1.9. Take care of your personal grooming.
1.10. The board being played should remain in the centre of the table.
1.11. The bidding cards should not be returned to their boxes until the opening lead has been made and any questions asked and answered.
1.12. There should be strict observance of the rules concerning the STOP and ALERT cards. Only the alerting player may provide explanation / understanding of the bid made.  It is mandatory to alert all non-natural calls as per EBU Blue Book. (see the "EBU announcing rules" on our website)
1.13. Pairs are advised and encouraged to have Convention Cards. For external tournaments organised at the Academy, Convention Cards are compulsory.  To minimise possible misunderstandings please inform your opponents of your basic bidding system when both pairs are at the table.
1.14. The scoring player must ensure that the score is verified by one of the opponents.

2. UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOUR

2.1. General rudeness, insinuation, harassment or intimidation by word, gesture or posture.
2.2. Openly criticising partner’s or opponents bids / plays.
2.3. Talking in a loud voice so that players at adjoining tables can hear the conversation.
2.4. Detaching a card before it is your turn to play.
2.5. Paying insufficient attention to the bid / game in play.
2.6. Objecting to a call for the TD.
2.7. Disputing the TD’s ruling at that time.
2.8. Giving unasked for tuition at the table.
2.9. Leaving the table needlessly before the round is called.
2.10. Looking intently at any other player during the auction and play, or 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 appropriate to act on information acquired by inadvertently seeing
an opponents card.
2.11. Showing an obvious lack of further interest in a deal (as by folding one's cards).
2.12. Varying the normal tempo of bidding or play to give partner information or to disconcert opponents