CHAPTER III
Preparation and Progression 

LAW 6 - THE SHUFFLE AND DEAL 

A. The Shuffle

Before play starts, each pack is thoroughly shuffled. There is a cut if either opponent so requests.

B. The Deal

The cards must be dealt face down, one card at a time, into four hands of thirteen cards each; each hand is then placed face down in one of the four pockets of the board. The recommended procedure is that the cards be dealt in rotation, clockwise

C. Representation of Both Pairs

A member of each side should be present during the shuffle and deal unless the Director instructs otherwise.

D. New Shuffle and Redeal

1. Cards Incorrectly Dealt or Exposed

There must be a new shuffle and a redeal if it is ascertained before the auction begins for both sides (see Law 17A) that the cards have been incorrectly dealt, or that a player could have seen the face of a card belonging to another hand.

2. No Shuffle, or No Deal

No result may stand if the cards are dealt without shuffle from a sorted pack, or if the deal had previously been played in a different session.

3. At Director's Instruction

Subject to Law 22A, there must be a new shuffle and a redeal when required by the Director for any reason compatible with the Laws (but see Law 86C).

E. Director's Option on Shuffling and Dealing

1. By Players

The Director may instruct that the shuffle and deal be performed at each table immediately before play starts.

2. By Director

The Director may perform the shuffle and deal in advance, himself.

3. By Agents or Assistants

The Director may have his assistants, or other appointed agents, perform the shuffle and deal in advance.

4. Different Method of Dealing or Predealing

The Director may require a different method of dealing or predealing.

F. Duplication of Board

If required by the conditions of play, one or more exact copies of each original deal may be made under the Director's instructions.

LAW 7 - CONTROL OF BOARD AND CARDS 

A. Placement of Board

When a board is to be played, it is placed in the centre of the table until play is completed.

B. Removal of Cards from Board

Each player takes a hand from the pocket corresponding to his compass position.

1. Counting Cards in Hand before Play

Each player counts his cards face down to be sure he has exactly 13; after that, and before making a call, he must inspect the face of his cards.

2. Control of Player's Hand

During play each player retains possession of his own cards, not permitting them to be mixed with those of any other player. No player shall touch any cards other than his own (but declarer may play dummy's cards in accordance with Law 45) during or after play except by permission of the Director.

C. Returning Cards to Board

Each player shall restore his original 13 cards to the pocket corresponding to his compass position. Thereafter, no hand shall be removed from the board unless a member of each side, or the Director, is present.

D. Responsibility for Procedures

Any contestant remaining at a table throughout a session is primarily responsible for maintaining proper conditions of play at the table.

LAW 8 - SEQUENCE OF ROUNDS 

A. Movement of Boards and Players

1. Director's Instructions

The Director instructs the players as to the proper movement of boards and progression of contestants.

2. Responsibility for Moving Boards

The North player at each table is responsible for moving the boards just completed at his table to the proper table for the following round, unless the Director instructs otherwise.

B. End of Round

In general, a round ends when the Director gives the signal for the start of the following round; but if any table has not completed play by that time, the round continues for that table until there has been a progression of players.

C. End of Last Round and End of Session

The last round of a session, and the session itself, ends for each table when play of all boards scheduled at that table has been completed, and when all scores have been entered on the proper scoring forms without objection.