Best Behaviour

Bridge is an extremely enjoyable game. Courteous behaviour is an exceptionally important part of that enjoyment. This code serves as a brief reminder of how to behave at the bridge table. We are sure that all players naturally follow this code of conduct, but there are times when concentration and pressure can take their toll and it is for these situations that we issue this as a reminder:

- Greet others in a friendly manner prior to start of play on each round. 

- Be a good "Host" or "guest" at the table.

- Make your convention card readily available to your opponents and fill it out completely.

- Make Bridge enjoyable for yourself, partner and opponents.

- Give credit when opponents make a good bid or play.

- Take care of your personal grooming.

- Ensure that your mobile phone is turned off.

- Enjoy the company as well as the game.

Remember that it is rude to criticise your partner or opponents in public, to be less than polite at the table, to gloat over good results or object to a call for the tournament director or to dispute or argue about a director's ruling.

As in all games that are governed by rules and regulations, bad behaviour will be penalised.

- If a player at the table behaves in an unacceptable manner the director should be called immediately. Annoying behaviour, embarrassing remarks, or any other conduct which might interefere with the enjoyment of the game is specifically prohibited by Law 74A. Law 91A gives the director authority to assign disciplinary penalties. This can include immediate disciplinary board penalties, and if a future violation is incurred at the same event, disqualification from future competition in that event. Any further violations may result in a disciplinary hearing where the player(s) future participation in events may be terminated.

Please call the Director if you think you may have been affected by bad behaviour. you will be helping others as well as yourselves.   

                                             Petersfield Guidance Notes

1. You must call the Director as soon as attention is drawn to an irregularity. The right to redress might be lost otherwise. ONLY THE DIRECTOR CAN GIVE RULINGS.

2. Make your convention card readily available to your opponents and fill it out completely (see Best Behaviorat Bridge).

3. After taking your cards from the board, always count them face down. At the end of play, shuffle your cards and return them to the correct pocket.

4. It saves time to make your opening lead before you write the contract on your personal score card.

5. A player has the right to ask questions at his turn, but should be aware that exercising this right has consequences. If you do not need to have a call explained immediately, it is better to defer all questions until the end of the auction. You may then ask what all the alerted calls mean before you make the opening lead, or, when partner's lead is face down on the table. (It is a good idea to do so)

6. Hesitation is THINKING about the hand. It is not illegal, nor does it force Partner to pass, but it does put a requirement on Partner to avoid taking any advantage - it may convey "unauthorised information". A player is entitled to "reserve his rights" to summon the Director later.

7. North normally completes the BridgeMate carefully, before writing the score on his personal scorecard. (If he has difficulty, then South or even E/W can assist). He then shows it to East, who checks all entries are correct. Show the result to East and West before moving on to the next board. Please keep your voices down and do not waste time reading out all the other scores, or holding "post mortems". Copies of the hands are available at the end of the session, and will appear on the website with the results.

8. If your partner gives an incorrect explanation of your bid, or fails to alert it, you must NOT correct the error during the auction, not indicate in any manner that a mistake has been made. You must call the Director and inform your opponents at the first LEGAL opportunity, whis is

     i)            for a defender, at the end of play

    ii)            for declarer or dummy, after the final Pass of the auction.

9. If you inadvertently make a wrong call, you may be allowed to change it, if you call the Director before your partner has called.