CHAPTER V
THE AUCTION ![polish version](../poland.gif)
PART I
CORRECT PROCEDURE
SECTION ONE
AUCTION PERIOD
LAW 17
- DURATION OF THE AUCTION ![polish version](../poland.gif)
- A. Auction Period Starts
- The auction period on a deal begins for a side when either partner
looks at the face of his cards.
- B. The First Call
- The player designated by the board as dealer makes the first call.
- C. Successive Calls
- The player to dealer's left makes the second call, and thereafter each
player calls in turn in a clockwise rotation.
- D. Cards from Wrong Board
- If a player who has inadvertently picked up the cards from a wrong
board makes a call, that call is cancelled. If offender's LHO has called
over the cancelled call, the Director shall assign artificial adjusted
scores (see Law 90 for penalty) when
offender's substituted call differs in any significant way from his cancelled
call
. If offender subsequently repeats the cancelled call on the board from
which he mistakenly drew his cards, the Director may allow that board to
be played normally, but the Director shall assign artificial adjusted scores
(see Law 90) when offender's call differs
in any way from his original cancelled call.
- E. End of Auction Period
- The auction period ends when all four players pass, or when, after
three passes in rotation have followed any call, the opening lead is faced
(when a pass out of rotation has been accepted, see Law 34).
Offender's LHO must repeat the previous call.
LAW 18
- BIDS ![polish version](../poland.gif)
- A. Proper Form
- A bid names a number of odd tricks, from one to seven, and a denomination.
(Pass, double and redouble are calls but not bids.)
- B. To Supersede a Bid
- A bid supersedes a previous bid if it names either the same number
of odd tricks in a higher-ranking denomination or a greater number of odd
tricks in any denomination.
- C. Sufficient Bid
- A bid that supersedes the immediately previous bid is a sufficient
bid.
- D. Insufficient Bid
- A bid that fails to supersede the immediately previous bid is an insufficient
bid.
- E. Rank of the Denominations
- The rank of the denominations in descending order is: notrump, spades,
hearts, diamonds, clubs.
- F. Different Methods
- Zonal Organisations may authorise different methods of making calls.
LAW 19
- DOUBLES AND REDOUBLES ![polish version](../poland.gif)
- A. Doubles
- 1. Legal Double
- A player may double only the last preceding bid. That bid must have
been made by an opponent; calls other than pass must not have intervened.
- 2. Proper Form for Double
- In doubling, a player should not state the number of odd tricks or
the denomination. The only correct form is the single word "Double".
- 3. Double of Incorrectly Stated Bid
- If a player, in doubling, incorrectly states the bid, or the number
of odd tricks or the denomination, he is deemed to have doubled the bid
as it was made. (Law 16 - Unauthorised
Information - may apply.)
- B. Redoubles
- 1. Legal Redouble
- A player may redouble only the last preceding double. That double must
have been made by an opponent; calls other than pass must not have intervened.
- 2. Proper Form for a Redouble
- In redoubling, a player should not state the number of odd tricks or
the denomination. The only correct form is the single word "Redouble".
- 3. Redouble of an Incorrectly Stated Bid
- If a player, in redoubling, incorrectly states the doubled bid, or
the number of odd tricks or the denomination, he is deemed to have redoubled
the bid as it was made. (Law 16 -Unauthorised
Information - may apply.)
- C. Double or Redouble Superseded
- Any double or redouble is superseded by a subsequent legal bid.
- D. Scoring a Doubled or Redoubled Contract
- If a doubled or redoubled bid is not followed by a subsequent legal
bid, scoring values are increased as provided in Law 77.
LAW 20
- REVIEW AND EXPLANATION OF CALLS ![polish version](../poland.gif)
- A. Call Not Clearly Heard
- A player who does not hear a call distinctly may forthwith require
that it be repeated.
- B. Review of Auction during Auction Period
- During the auction period, a player is entitled to have all
previous calls restated when it is his turn to call, unless he is required
by Law to pass; Alerts should be included in the restatement.
- C. Review after Final Pass
- 1. Opening Lead Inquiry
- After the final pass either defender has the right to ask if it is
his opening lead (see Law 47E and Law 41).
- 2. Review of Auction
- Declarer or either defender may, at his first turn to play, require
all
previous calls to be restated (see Law 41B
and Law 41C).
- D. Who May Review the Auction
- A request to have calls restated shall be responded to only by an opponent.
- E. Correction of Error in Review
- All players, including dummy or a player required by Law to pass, are
responsible for prompt correction of errors in restatement (see Law 12C1
when an uncorrected review causes damage).
- F. Explanation of Calls
- 1. During the Auction
- During the auction and before the final pass, any player, at his own
turn to call, may request
a full explanation of the opponents' auction (questions may be asked about
calls actually made, or about relevant calls available but not made); replies
should normally be given by the partner of a player who made a call in
question (see Law 75C).
- 2. During the Play Period
- After the final pass and throughout the play period, either defender
at his own turn to play may request
an explanation of opposing auction. At his or dummy's turn to play, the
declarer may request an explanation of a defender's call or card play conventions.
A player may not ask for a partial restatement
of previous calls and may not halt the review before it has been completed.
Law 16 may apply; and sponsoring organisations
may establish regulations for written explanations.
LAW 21
- CALL BASED ON MISINFORMATION ![polish version](../poland.gif)
- A. Call Based on Caller's Misunderstanding
- A player has no recourse if he has made a call on the basis of his
own misunderstanding.
- B. Call Based on Misinformation from an Opponent
- 1. Change of Call
- Until the end of the auction period (see Law 17E),
a player may, without penalty, change a call when it is probable that he
made the call as a result of misinformation given to him by an opponent
(failure to alert promptly to a conventional call or special understanding,
where such alert is required by the sponsoring organisation, is deemed
misinformation), provided that his partner has not subsequently called.
- 2. Change of Call by Opponent Following Correction
- When a player elects to change a call because of misinformation (as
in 1., preceding), his LHO may then in turn change any subsequent call
he may have made, without penalty (unless his withdrawn call conveyed such
information as to damage the non-offending side, in which case the Director
may assign an adjusted score). (For unauthorised information from withdrawn
calls, see Law 16C.)
- 3. Too Late to Change Call
- When it is too late to change a call, the Director may award an adjusted
score (Law 40C may apply).
SECTION TWO
AUCTION HAS ENDED
LAW 22
- PROCEDURE AFTER THE AUCTION HAS ENDED ![polish version](../poland.gif)
- A. No Player Has Bid
- After the auction period has ended, if no player has bid, the hands
are returned to the board without play. There shall not be a redeal.
- B. One or More Players Have Bid
- If any player has bid, the final bid becomes the contract, and play
begins.
PART II
IRREGULARITIES IN PROCEDURE
LAW 23
- DAMAGING ENFORCED PASS ![polish version](../poland.gif)
Reference will be made to this Law from many other Laws that prescribe
penalties for auction-period infractions.
When the penalty for an irregularity under any Law would compel the
offender's partner to pass at his next turn, if the Director deems that
the offender, at the time of his irregularity, could have known that the
enforced pass would be likely to damage the non-offending side, he shall
require the auction and play to continue, and, consider awarding an adjusted
score (see Law 72B1).
SECTION ONE
EXPOSED CARD, AUCTION PERIOD
LAW 24
- CARD EXPOSED OR LED DURING AUCTION ![polish version](../poland.gif)
When the Director determines, during the auction, that because of a
player's action one or more cards of that player's hand were in position
for the face to be seen by his partner, the Director shall require that
every such card be left face up on the table until the auction closes;
and (penalty) if the offender subsequently becomes a defender, declarer
may treat every such card as a penalty card (Law 50).
In addition:
- A. Low Card Not Prematurely Led
- If it is a single card below the rank of an honour, and not prematurely
led, there is no further penalty.
- B. Single Card of Honour Rank, or Card Prematurely
Led
- If the card is a single card of honour rank, or is any card prematurely
led, (penalty) offender's partner must pass when next it is his turn to
call (see Law 23 when a pass damages
the non-offending side).
- C. Two or More Cards Are Exposed
- If two or more cards are so exposed, (penalty) offender's partner must
pass when next it is his turn to call (see Law 23
when a pass damages the non-offending side).
SECTION TWO
CHANGES OF CALLS
LAW 25
- LEGAL AND ILLEGAL CHANGES OF CALL ![polish version](../poland.gif)
- A. Immediate Correction of Inadvertency
- Until his partner makes a call, a player may substitute his intended
call for an inadvertent call but only if he does so, or attempts to do
so, without pause for thought. If legal, his last call stands without penalty;
if illegal, it is subject to the applicable Law.
- B. Delayed or Purposeful Correction
- Until LHO calls, a call may be substituted when section A does not
apply:
- 1. Substitute Call Condoned
- The substituted call may be accepted (treated as legal) at the option
of offender's LHO
; then, the second call stands and the auction proceeds without
penalty. If offender's LHO has called before attention is drawn to the
infraction, and the Director determines that LHO intended his call to apply
over the offender's original call at that turn, offender's substituted
call stands without penalty, and LHO may withdraw his call without penalty
(but see Law 16C2).
- 2. Not Condoned
- If the substituted call is not accepted, it is cancelled; and:
- (a) First Call Illegal
- If the first call was illegal, the offender is subject to the applicable
Law (and the lead penalties of Law 26
may apply to the second call).
- (b) First Call Legal
- If the first call was legal, the offender must either,
- (1) Let First Call Stand
- Allow his first call to stand, in which case (penalty) his partner
must pass when next it is his turn to call (see Law 23
when the pass damages the non-offending side), or,
- (2) Substitute Another Call
- Make any other legal call, in which case (penalty) the auction proceeds
normally (but offender's partner may not base calls on information from
withdrawn calls); the offending side
may receive no score greater than average-minus.
- (c) Lead Penalties
- In either case (b) (1) or (b) (2) above, the offender's partner will
be subject to a lead penalty (see Law 26)
if he becomes a defender.
When the original bid was insufficient, apply
Law 27
The
non-offending side receives the score achieved at the table.
LAW 26
- CALL WITHDRAWN, LEAD PENALTIES ![polish version](../poland.gif)
When an offending player's call is withdrawn, and he chooses a different
final call for that turn, then if he becomes a defender:
- A. Call Related to Specific Suit
- If the withdrawn call related to a specified suit or suits, and,
- 1. Suit Specified
- If that suit was specified by the same player, there is no lead penalty,
but see Law 16C.
- 2. Suit Not Specified
- If that suit was not specified in the legal auction by the same player,
then declarer may (penalty) either require the offender's partner to lead
the specified suit (or one particular specified suit) at his first turn
to lead, including the opening lead; or prohibit offender's partner from
leading the specified suit (or one particular specified suit) at his first
turn to lead, including the opening lead, such prohibition to continue
for as long as offender's partner retains the lead.
- B. Other Withdrawn Calls
- For other withdrawn calls, (penalty) declarer may prohibit offender's
partner from leading any one suit
at his first turn to lead, including the opening lead, such prohibition
to continue for as long as offender's partner retains the lead.
A call repeated with a much different meaning
shall be deemed a different call.
Declarer
specifies the suit when offender's partner first has the lead.
SECTION THREE
INSUFFICIENT BID
LAW 27
- INSUFFICIENT BID ![polish version](../poland.gif)
- A. Insufficient Bid Accepted
- Any insufficient bid may be accepted (treated as legal) at the option
of offender's LHO. It is accepted if that player calls.
- B. Insufficient Bid Not Accepted
- If an insufficient bid made in rotation is not accepted, it must be
corrected by the substitution of either a sufficient bid or a pass.
- 1. Not Conventional, and Corrected by Lowest Sufficient Bid in Same
Denomination
- (a) No Penalty
- If both the insufficient bid and the bid substituted are incontrovertibly
not conventional, and if the bid is corrected by the lowest sufficient
bid in the same denomination, the auction proceeds as though the irregularity
had not occurred (Law 16C2 does not
apply to this situation, but see (b) following).
- (b) Award of Adjusted Score
- If the Director judges that the insufficient bid conveyed such information
as to damage the non-offending side, he shall assign an adjusted score.
- 2. Conventional, or Corrected by Any Other Sufficient Bid or Pass
- If either the insufficient bid or the lowest sufficient bid in the
same denomination may have been conventional, or if the bid is corrected
by any other sufficient bid or by a pass, (penalty) the offender's partner
must pass whenever it is his turn to call (apply Law 10C1
and see Law 23 when the pass damages
the non-offending side; and the lead penalties of Law 26
may apply).
- 3. Attempt to Correct by a Double or Redouble
- If the offender attempts to substitute a double or redouble for his
insufficient bid, the attempted call is cancelled; and (penalty) his partner
must pass whenever it is his turn to call (see Law 23
when the pass damages the non-offending side; and the lead penalties of
Law 26 may apply).
- C. Insufficient Bid out of Rotation
- If a player makes an insufficient bid out of rotation, Law 31
applies.
SECTION FOUR
CALL OUT OF ROTATION
LAW 28
- CALLS CONSIDERED TO BE IN ROTATION ![polish version](../poland.gif)
- A. RHO Required to Pass
- A call is considered to be in rotation when it is made by a player
at his RHO's turn to call if that opponent is required by Law to pass.
- B. Call by Correct Player Cancelling Call out
of Rotation
- A call is considered to be in rotation when made by a player whose
turn it was to call, before a penalty has been assessed for a call out
of rotation by an opponent; making such a call forfeits the right to penalise
the call out of rotation, and the auction proceeds as though the opponent
had not called at that turn, but Law 16C2
applies.
LAW 29
- PROCEDURE AFTER A CALL OUT OF ROTATION ![polish version](../poland.gif)
- A. Forfeiture of Right to Penalise
- Following a call out of rotation, offender's LHO may elect to call,
thereby forfeiting the right to penalise.
- B. Out-of-Rotation Call Cancelled
- Otherwise a call out of rotation is cancelled (but see A preceding),
and the auction reverts to the player whose turn it was to call. Offender
may make any legal call in proper rotation, but his side may be subject
to penalty under Law 30, Law 31
or Law 32.
- C. Call out of Rotation Is Conventional
- If a call out of rotation is conventional, the provisions of Law 30,
Law 31, and Law 32
shall apply to the denominations specified, rather than the denominations
named.
LAW 30
- PASS OUT OF ROTATION ![polish version](../poland.gif)
When a player has passed out of rotation (and the call is cancelled,
as the option to accept the call has not been exercised - see Law 29):
- A. Before Any Player Has Bid
- When a player has passed out of rotation before any player has bid,
(penalty) the offender must pass when next it is his turn to call and Law 72B1
may apply.
- B. After Any Player Has Bid
- 1. At RHO's Turn to Call
- After any player has bid, when a pass out of rotation is made at offender's
RHO's turn to call, (penalty) offender must pass when next it is his turn
to call (if the pass out of rotation related by convention to a specific
suit, or suits, thereby conveying information, the lead penalties of Law 26
may apply).
- 2. At Partner's Turn to Call
- (a) Action Required of Offender
- After any player has bid, for a pass out of rotation made at the offender's
partner's turn to call, (penalty) the offender must pass whenever it is
his turn to call, and Law 72B1 may
apply.
- (b) Action Open to Offender's Partner
- Offender's partner may make any sufficient bid, or may pass, but may
not double or redouble at that turn, and Law 72B1
may apply.
- 3. At LHO's Turn to Call
- After any player has bid, a pass out of rotation at offender's LHO's
turn to call is treated as a change of call and Law 25
applies.
- C. When Pass Is a Convention
- When the pass out of rotation is a convention, Law 31
, not this Law, will apply. A pass is a convention if, by special agreement,
it promises more than a specified amount of strength, or if it artificially
promises or denies values other than in the last suit named.
LAW 31
- BID OUT OF ROTATION ![polish version](../poland.gif)
When a player has bid out of rotation (and the bid is cancelled, as
the option to accept the bid has not been exercised - see Law 29):
- A. RHO's Turn
- When the offender has bid (or has passed partner's call when it is
a convention, in which case section A2b applies) at his RHO's turn to call,
then:
- 1. RHO Passes
- If that opponent passes, offender must repeat the call out of rotation,
and when that call is legal there is no penalty.
- 2. RHO Acts
- If that opponent makes a legal
bid, double or redouble, offender may make any legal call; when this call
- (a) Repeats Denomination
- repeats the denomination of his bid out of rotation, (penalty) offender's
partner must pass when next it is his turn to call (see Law 23).
- (b) Does Not Repeat Denomination
- does not repeat the denomination of his bid out of rotation, the lead
penalties of Law 26 may apply, and (penalty)
offender's partner must pass when ever it is his turn to call (see Law 23).
- B. Partner's or LHO's Turn
- When the offender has bid at his partner's turn to call, or at his
LHO's turn to call if the offender has not previously called
, (penalty) offender's partner must pass whenever it is his turn
to call (see Law 23 when the pass damages
the non-offending side), and the lead penalties of Law 26
may apply.
An illegal call by RHO is penalised as usual.
Later
bids at LHO's turn to call are treated as changes of call, and Law 25
applies.
LAW 32
- DOUBLE OR REDOUBLE OUT OF ROTATION ![polish version](../poland.gif)
A double or redouble out of rotation may be accepted at the option of
the opponent next in rotation (see Law 29),
except that an inadmissible double or redouble may never be accepted (see
Law 35A if the opponent next in rotation
nevertheless does call). If the illegal call is not accepted, it is cancelled,
the lead penalties of Law 26B may apply,
and:
- A. Made at Offender's Partner's Turn to Call
- If a double or redouble out of rotation has been made when it was the
offender's partner's turn to call, (penalty) the offender's partner must
pass whenever it is his turn to call (see Law 23
when the pass damages the non-offending side).
- B. Made at RHO's Turn to Call
- If a double or redouble out of rotation has been made at offender's
RHO's turn to call, then:
- 1. RHO Passes
- If offender's RHO passes, offender must repeat his out-of-rotation
double or redouble and there is no penalty unless the double or redouble
is inadmissible, in which case Law 36
applies.
- 2. RHO Bids
- If offender's RHO bids, the offender may in turn make any legal call
and (penalty) offender's partner must pass whenever it is his turn to call
(see Law 23 when the pass damages the
non-offending side).
LAW 33
- SIMULTANEOUS CALLS ![polish version](../poland.gif)
A call made simultaneously with one made by the player whose turn it
was to call is deemed to be a subsequent call.
LAW 34
- RETENTION OF RIGHT TO CALL ![polish version](../poland.gif)
When a call has been followed by three passes, the auction does not
end when one of those passes was out of rotation, thereby depriving a player
of his right to call at that turn. The auction reverts to the player who
missed his turn. All subsequent passes are cancelled, and the auction proceeds
as though there had been no irregularity.
LAW 35
- INADMISSIBLE CALL CONDONED ![polish version](../poland.gif)
When, after any inadmissible call specified below, the offender's LHO
makes a call before a penalty has been assessed, there is no penalty for
the inadmissible call (the lead penalties of Law 26
do not apply), and:
- A. Double or Redouble
- If the inadmissible call was a double or redouble not permitted by
Law 19, that call and all subsequent
calls are cancelled. The auction reverts to the player whose turn it is
to call and proceeds as though there had been no irregularity.
- B. Action by Player Required to Pass
- If the inadmissible call was a bid, double or redouble by a player
required by Law to pass, that call and all subsequent legal calls stand,
but, if the offender was required to pass for the remainder of the auction,
he must still pass at subsequent turns.
- C. Bid of More than Seven
- If the inadmissible call was a bid of more than seven, that call and
all subsequent calls are cancelled; the offender must substitute a pass,
and the auction proceeds as though there had been no irregularity.
- D. Call after Final Pass
- If the inadmissible call was a call after the final pass of the auction,
that call and all subsequent calls are cancelled without penalty.
SECTION FIVE
INADMISSIBLE CALLS
LAW 36
- INADMISSIBLE DOUBLE OR REDOUBLE ![polish version](../poland.gif)
Any double or redouble not permitted by Law 19
is cancelled. The offender must substitute a legal call, and (penalty)
the offender's partner must pass whenever it is his turn to call (see Law 23
when the pass damages the non-offending side); the lead penalties of Law 26
may apply. (If the call is out of turn, see Law 32;
if offender's LHO calls, see Law 35A.)
LAW 37
- ACTION VIOLATING OBLIGATION TO PASS ![polish version](../poland.gif)
A bid, double or redouble by a player who is required by Law to pass
is cancelled, and (penalty) each member of the offending side must pass
whenever it becomes his turn to call (see Law 23
when the pass damages the non-offending side). The lead penalties of Law 26
may apply. (If offender's LHO calls, see Law 35B.)
LAW 38
- BID OF MORE THAN SEVEN ![polish version](../poland.gif)
No play or score at a contract of more than seven is ever permissible.
A bid of more than seven is cancelled, and (penalty) each member of the
offending side must pass whenever it becomes his turn to call (see Law 23
when the pass damages the non-offending side). The lead penalties of Law 26
may apply. (If offender's LHO calls, see Law 35C.)
LAW 39
- CALL AFTER FINAL PASS ![polish version](../poland.gif)
A call made after the final pass of the auction is cancelled, and:
- A. Pass, or Call by Declaring Side
- If it is a pass by a defender or any call by the future declarer or
dummy, there is no penalty.
- B. Other Action by Defender
- If it is a bid, double or redouble by a defender, the lead penalties
of Law 26 may apply. (If offender's
LHO calls, see Law 35D.)
SECTION SIX
CONVENTIONS AND AGREEMENTS
LAW 40
- PARTNERSHIP UNDERSTANDINGS ![polish version](../poland.gif)
- A. Right to Choose Call or Play
- A player may make any call or play (including an intentionally misleading
call - such as a psychic bid - or a call or play that departs from commonly
accepted, or previously announced, use of a convention), without prior
announcement, provided that such call or play is not based on a partnership
understanding.
- B. Concealed Partnership Understandings Prohibited
- A player may not make a call or play based on a special partnership
understanding unless an opposing pair may reasonably be expected to understand
its meaning, or unless his side discloses the use of such call or play
in accordance with the regulations of the sponsoring organisation.
- C. Director's Option
- If the Director decides that a side has been damaged through its opponents'
failure to explain the full meaning of a call or play, he may award an
adjusted score.
- D. Regulation of Conventions
- The sponsoring organisation may regulate the use of bidding or play
conventions. Zonal organisations may, in addition, regulate partnership
understandings (even if not conventional) that permit the partnership's
initial actions at the one level to be made with a hand of a king or more
below average strength; Zonal organisations may delegate this responsibility.
- E. Convention Card
- 1. Right to Prescribe
- The sponsoring organisation may prescribe a convention card on which
partners are to list their conventions and other agreements, and may establish
regulations for its use, including a requirement that both members of a
partnership employ the same system (such a regulation must not restrict
style and judgement, only method).
- 2. Referring to Opponents' Convention Card
- During the auction and play, any player except dummy may refer to his
opponents' convention card at his own turn to call or play, but not to
his own
.
A player is not entitled, during the auction and
play periods, to any aids to his memory, calculation or technique. However,
sponsoring organisations may designate unusual methods and allow written
defences against opponents' unusual methods to be referred to at the table.
Next: CHAPTER
VI - The Play Top of this Chapter Previous:
CHAPTER
IV - General Laws Governing Irregularities
Last modified: Mon Oct 6 18:35:56
1997