BEGINNERS’ GUIDE TO THE BRIDGE ROOM

• St Annes Bridge Club is an active, friendly club with over 200 members
• Nine sessions of bridge are played weekly
• Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons
• Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday evenings
• Thursday mornings

Hosted sessions: are those where you can attend without a partner, currently, on Tuesday Evening, Thursday mornings and Friday afternoons.

Always arrive in good time for your game preferably 20-25minutes early, and no later than 15minutes, before the advertised start of the game

While waiting for the game to start:

• You should have your table money ready for collection.  Please aid our administration by paying with the correct amount
• You may wish to clarify your proposed play routine with your partner but do not forget that your opponents may be present and social discussion may be appropriate

TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR (TD)

The TD is in charge of the bridge session and will

      ▪︎ Ensure players are seated at the right tables

      ▪︎ Choose the best movement - how the boards and players move during the game

      ▪︎ Adjudicate regarding difficulties during the game

• Use the computer to produce the results at the end of the session

Most importantly, the TD is there to make sure that you have an enjoyable game.  

CALLING THE TD

The role of the TD includes sorting out problems that arise at the table e.g.

• Wrong boards
• Wrong number of cards
• Bid or lead out of turn
• Revoke
• Duplimate machine problems
• Incorrect explanations
• Unauthorised information

Remember

• Calling the TD is NOT a criticism - he/she is there to help you and make your game as pleasant as possible
• The TD will deal with any irregularity equitably and fairly within the rules of bridge

MANNERS MAKETH MAN

• Although Bridge is a competitive game, it is best played in a friendly atmosphere avoiding aggressive and bad behaviour
• Act as a good host - greet your opponents when they arrive at your table and thank them when they leave
• Be polite
• Avoid criticism of your partner or opponents
• If there is any irregularity at the table, call the TD 

NORTH IS “IN CHARGE” AT THE TABLE

North’s job is to ensure that:

• The correct boards have arrived at the table the correct opponents have arrived at the table
• The board that is being played remains on the table in the correct orientation not necessarily kept in the centre
• The correct data is entered in the Bridgemate the score for each board is confirmed by East

ANNOUNCEMENTS

When a player opens 1NT his partner says the range i.e. “12 - 14”. These are announcements.

Other examples include:

• 2♣  after a 1NT opening is announced by opener as - “Stayman”
• 2♦ /2♥ after a 1NT opening is announced by opener as - “Transfer to ♥/♠”
• Partner of Opener’s 2 of a suit announces - “Strong and forcing”
• All 1NT and 2 Level Openings are announced

ALERT CARD

This is used to indicate an artificial bid* eg 2♣  : P : 2♦ *

The alert card should be shown to both of the opponents’

BIDDING BOXES

Think before you make your bid!

• Avoid fiddling with the bidding box cards - this gives away unauthorised information
• A call is deemed to have been made if the card is removed from the bidding box with apparent intent
• A bid can be corrected only if it is a mechanical error and is corrected immediately the error is noted

STOP CARD

Use the “STOP CARD” before any JUMP bid - e.g. Opener bids 1♥ and rebids 3♥

• Put the Stop card on the table just before making the jump bid
• LHO must wait 10 seconds before bidding
• Replace the STOP card in the bidding box

AT THE END OF THE AUCTION

• The bidding cards must remain on the table until the opening lead has been made face down
• Questions may be asked during the auction by the player who is next to bid, but questions are often better left until the auction is completed and before the opening lead is faced

CARD PLAY

• Leader should select his lead card, place it face downwards on the table and ask partner “Any questions”
• Once placed face downwards, the lead card cannot be changed unless the lead is being made from the incorrect hand
• Declarer should call for the cards played from dummy.  Once called, that card must be played
• Penalty cards: Minor - single accidentally exposed card below a ten Major - any card that is exposed intentionally, an honour card or when a defender has > 2 penalty cards

DUMMY

Dummy Cannot:

• Take part in the play other than play the cards as instructed by declarer
• Draw attention to any irregularity during the play nor suggest calling the TD
• Look at any other players’ cards

Dummy is allowed to prevent declarer from:

• Committing an irregularity e.g. “Are you not in Dummy?”
• Creating a revoke e.g. “Having no clubs?” correct the alignment of quitted cards of other players, but only before the next trick is started

AT THE END OF THE PLAY

• All players at the table should agree the number of tricks made BEFORE the cards are collected, counted and returned to the board
• North will then enter the agreed score into the Bridgemate and East is asked to confirm the result
• At the end of the round, North will pass the boards to the next table.
• At the end of the game, it is North’s responsibility to ensure that the table is left neat and tidy, the chairs are arranged
• Around the table, rubbish/glasses are removed and the bidding boxes are placed together centrally

ALWAYS ENJOY YOUR GAME OF BRIDGE

Bridge is a fascinating and challenging game. There is always something new to learn and, once you have spent a little time practicing, you may wish to develop your game.   

At St Annes Bridge Club we offer courses for Improver and Advanced players.  Information is posted on the Noticeboard, on the Website and is advertised via the Club Newsletter.