Gosforth Bridge Club: Guide to Bridge Etiquette
Ethos:
The ethos of Gosforth Bridge Club is to play bridge in a relaxed and friendly manner. This does not preclude also playing competitively. Although we are not affiliated to the EBU, we do follow the principles of the EBU's "Best Behaviour at Bridge" which include the following:
*Greet others in a friendly manner prior to start of play on each round.
*Be a good "host" or "guest" at the table.
*Make bridge enjoyable for yourself, partner and opponents.
*Give credit when opponents make a good bid or play.
*Ensure that your mobile phone is turned off.
*Enjoy the company as well as the game.
To these we can add:
*Please help by trying to keep noise to a minimum at the end of each round and try to avoid discussing hands in a way that can be overheard at nearby tables. Players sitting out at a half-table should be particularly careful about this.
Bridge Etiquette:
We try to play our bridge in an informal way, but there are important rules of bridge etiquette which we should all adhere to:
Unauthorised information: The only legal means of communicating information about your hand to your partner is via your bidding system. Players should avoid gestures of pleasure or dismay (or astonishment!) at partner's bid and should only reach for the bidding box when they have firmly decided what to bid. You should not volunteer an explanation of one of partner's bids (apart from the case of prescribed announcements) unless asked by an opponent, or at the end of the auction. If you are the recipient of unauthorised information from partner, you must do your best to ignore it and must avoid taking advantage of it.
Review of bidding: It is good practice to leave the bidding cards on the table until the opening lead has been made. The opening lead should be made face down initially to allow partner to ask questions before it is faced (or to correct a lead from the wrong hand).
Role of Dummy: Dummy should follow the instructions of Declarer and should not offer guidance or play cards unasked. Dummy may point out incorrect recording of a quitted trick by any player or try to prevent a possible revoke by Declarer. Dummy should not look at Declarer's hand (or curtain card) during play.
Scoring a hand: Both sides should agree the number of tricks made before the hands are collapsed. North should then enter the score on the traveller and has a duty to show the scoresheet to E/W for confirmation. If this is not done, East or West should ask to see the scoresheet.
Finally, whilst we do have a Tournament Director, who can be called upon to sort out difficulties which arise, we prefer, whenever possible, for issues to be settled amicably at the table. The TD likes to enjoy his or her bridge too!
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