Stratford upon Avon Bridge Club is governed by the “Laws of Duplicate Bridge” 2007, together with the EBU “Handbook of Directives and Permitted Conventions” 2008, (the Orange Book). The Club permits conventions and systems licensed at Level 4. 

The Club encourages a friendly and fair attitude to all its business. We use Tournament Directors to oversee all sessions.  They must always apply the law, but where they are allowed discretion they may treat more gently the less experienced player who is unlikely to be aware of every technicality.

Code of Conduct
Bridge is an extremely enjoyable game. Courteous behaviour is an exceptionally important part of that enjoyment.
This guide 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, (a requirement on competition nights).
Have an identical Convention Card with your partner
Make bridge enjoyable for yourself, partner and opponents.
Give credit when opponents make a good bid or play.
Take care of your personal grooming; (dress, smart casual).
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 interfere with the enjoyment of the game is specifically prohibited by Law 74A. Law 91A gives the director the authority to assess disciplinary penalties.

1. Welcome the pair arriving at the table in a friendly manner.
2. Be a good "host" or "guest" at the table.
3. Make your Convention Card readily available to your opponents and fill it out completely, (a requirement on competition nights).
4. Take care of your personal grooming; (dress, smart casual).
5. Ensure that your mobile phone is turned off.
6. Give credit for good bids or plays (to partner as well as opponents).
7. Bid and playing a hand at a uniform speed.
8. Explain fully, when asked, your partnership bids and any related conventions.
9. Move to the next table as soon as possible after the TD calls the move.
10. Enjoy the company as well as the game.
11. Make bridge enjoyable for yourself, partner and opponents.
12. Summon the TD appropriately i.e. "Director Please" NOT "Director", and accept his ruling at the table.

1. General rudeness, insinuation, harassment or intimidation by word, gesture or posture.
2. Openly criticising partner's or opponents bids/plays.
3. Talking in a loud voice so that players at adjoining tables can hear the conversation.
4. Detaching a card before it is your turn to play.
5. Paying insufficient attention to the bid/game in play.
6. Objecting to a call for the TD.
7. Disputing a TD's ruling at that time.
8. Giving unasked for tuition at the table.