Wishing all members a very happy Christmas and every good wish for 2026. Our first game of bridge after Christmas will be on January 6th.
Your attention is drawn to Laws 12,16 and 73 relating to hesitations. Also Law 66 relating to arrangement of tricks.
HESITATIONS
By far the most common form of unauthorised information is the pause that suggests doubt, generally called a hesitation. It is important to understand that thinking about the hand IS hesitating.
In deciding whether a "hesitation" points to a particular course of action by Partner, the Director may be helped by the following rule of thumb.
1.If a player hesitates and then passes he would welcome a bid or double from partner.
2. If a player hesitates and then doubles, he would be unhappy if his partner removed the double.
3. After a suit is agreed if a player hesitates and then bids no trumps , he would not be unhappy to hear his partner go back to the agreed sui
ARRANGEMENT OF TRICKS
EXAMINING THE LAST CARD PLAYED (LAW 66)
Until a lead is made to the following trick, Declarer or either Defender may re-examine his own card played, taking care not to expose it to any other player. A player who has not yet turned over his card may require all cards just played to the trick to be refaced.
HESITATIONS AND UNAUTHORISED INFORMATION
"Authorised information" on which players are entitled to base their own Calls and Plays can be imparted between partners only through Calls, (bids, passes doubles and redoubles) and plays Information which a player receives which is not "Authorised" as above may not be put too use. Examples of actions which may convey "Unauthorised Information" during an Auction are:
A remark or question by partner. Partner's answer to the question. Special emphasis or tone of voice. A gesture, movement or mannerism. An unmistakeable hesitation (or undue haste) before calling.