When to use the 'STOP' Card

The 'STOP' card is used when a person is about to make a bid at a higher level than necessary.

Correct procedure to use the 'STOP' Card

Before making the bid, withdraw the 'STOP' card from the bidding box and place it on the table. Then place the intended bid on the table. Wait for about 10 seconds (try counting 'One thousand and one, one thousand and two...') and then withdraw the card.

When your right-hand opponent makes a Jump Bid

You should not make your next call until the 'STOP' card has been removed OR until ten seconds has passed. It is an offence to not pause for ten seconds, or to show indifference while pausing (see later). If the opponent withdraws the 'STOP' card very quickly you should still wait for the ten seconds before making your call.

When the 'STOP' card is used but no Jump Bid is made

Putting out the 'STOP' card does not force a player to make a jump bid and of itself is not part of a bid (so the laws about insufficient bid/ call out of turn do not apply.) If a jump bid is not made there is no need to advise the person that they have not, actually made a jump bid.

Problems that may arise out of abuse of the 'STOP' card procedure.

Most of the problems have to do with 'tempo' - a Jump Bid is regarded as being unexpected and so the following player is given 10 seconds 'free thinking time' to enable them to readjust their thoughts due to this development in the auction. The aim of this 'free thinking time' is to try and minimise any unauthorised information that may pass between the next player and their partner. A fast response (usually a pass) indicates that the player has nothing to think about - and usually indicates a weak hand (if a pass) or else an obvious call. This information is unauthorised. Equally a very long pause would indicate that the player hasn't an obvious response. Note that passing unauthorised information is not an offence, however the partner must carefully try and avoid taking advantage of it.

The second problem that may arise is if a player uses the 'STOP' card and then does not jump. This is not an offence BUT their partner must be very careful. Maybe the player thought he was showing extra strength by making a jump bid, or he might have missed a call made by the player on his right, or he might have pulled out the wrong card.

Summary

The 'STOP' card is used to indicate a jump in the auction and allow the next player the opportunity to adjust their thought processes to cope with the unexpected bid. Failure to obey the correct procedure may result in unauthoirsed information being present.

An EBU Director would allow two breaches of following the 'STOP' card regulations before awarding a procedural penalty (typically 10% of as top)