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 deck 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.
Chapters: I - Definitions II - Preliminaries III - Preparation and Progression IV - General Laws Governing Irregularities V - The Auction VI - The Play VII - Proprieties VIII - The Score IX - Tournament Sponsorship X - Tournament Director XI - Appeals
Last modified: Mon Apr 13 17:50:16 1998