Tips

1. Fill out identical convention cards with your partner and have them available for the opponents to read if they ask.

2. Learn/know which of your partnership's conventions require announcing or alerting when your partner bids them.

3. If your partner bids NT, announce the point range you are playing (before RHO bids).

4. If your partner bids a Jacoby Transfer, state the suit you are being asked to bid, not simply “Transfer”.

5. Always count your cards before you look at them.

6. Don’t touch ("fondle") the bidding box until you are ready to make your bid. Make your bid without comment, gesture, or any other "extra" (illegal) information.

7. Try to make all bids with a consistent tempo. Avoid possibly providing partner with illegal information with long delays, as well as fast passes, doubles etc. All jump bids should be followed by an appropriate hesitation (at least 5 seconds).

8. Do not detach a card from your hand before it is your turn to play. When it is your turn to play a card to trick, decide which card you are going to play BEFORE pulling any card from your hand.

9. Place your bids and played cards where the opponents and your partner can easily see them. Please refrain from cluttering the table with cups, plates, or other extraneous items. If you are moving to another table, please clean up after yourself before leaving so the next pair taking your seats doesn't have to.

10. The only time you may ask an opponent what a bid means is when it is your turn to bid. When inquiring about the meaning of a bid, you may only ask the partner of the bidder what it means. If the information would have no impact on your bid or play, you should not ask - it delays play and may be seen as an illegal attempt to alert your partner.

11. If you are to lead to the first trick, put the lead face down and ask your partner if she has any questions before facing your card. Third hand questions must not be asked until the opening lead has been selected. This also will prevent leads out of turn.

12. North hand keeps score and should always allow East or West to confirm before the next board is positioned for play. North also handles the boards, but may ask South to assume this duty. East-West should ask before handling boards.

13. You may not alert your own bid or remind your partner to alert your bid. When the auction ends (3 Passes) and before the opening lead is placed face down on the table, you should notify the opponents if there was a failure to alert.

14. If an opponent asks you what your partner’s bid means, respond with the expected suit(s), cards (Aces/Kings), points (min/max), or other information conveyed by the bid, not the name of the convention. If you do not have a partnership agreement for the questioned bid, simply say so - do not give your interpretation. "Not sure but I think it means ..." is not correct - it tells your partner what you are thinking - that provides your partner with illegal information. 

15. A player may ask to see the last trick played only if he has not yet turned his own card face down.

16. If you are declarer, it is always nice to tell your partner thank you when she lays down her hand.

17. The only cards you may touch are your own.

18. When your partner fails to follow suit the first time, it is appropriate to ask “no hearts, partner?” (or diamonds, etc.). This prevents reneges and the subsequent delays and "Director, please"  calls they cause.

19. Do not claim unless you are on lead. Be sure you have pulled or can account for all the trumps.

20. If anyone does not agree with a claim - do not debate who is right - simply summon the Director, immediately! Do not get into a debate.

21. Do not discuss a board until after you have played all the boards on the table, and then only if there is time. 

22. If you discuss your boards, please keep your voices down. Players at the next table may not have played these boards yet.

23. Do not expose your individual score card to opponents. Do not discuss hands played in previous rounds. Your opponents may not have played those boards and should not be allowed (or tempted) to inadvertently see the contracts played.

24. Remember, bridge is a partnership game. It requires (a very particular set of) communication skills  (skills you may or may not have acquired over a very long career, skills that may make you a formidable opponent for other players). Strive to develop your ability to share information with your partner.

25. Do not criticize your partner. And if you made a mistake, just say, “sorry, partner”

26. Learn from your mistakes and most important of all, HAVE FUN.

Be GRACIOUS at the table:

G—greeting the opponents; treating them with respect and courtesy
R—refusing to participate in accusatory post mortems (WHO IS TO BLAME???!!!)
A—accepting bidding and play disasters with composure (make someone happy...)
C—complimenting the opponents for fine bidding or play (especially beginners)
I—indulging in modesty when finding that right bid or line of play (gloating is ugly!!!)
O—offering retraction of inadvertent bid or card by opponent (inexperience, nerves, age)
U—understanding that directors are often fallible (quiet discussion after the game)
S—supporting partner at all times; pard is on your side and is trying his/her best