The Project Gutenberg EBook of Bridge Axioms and Laws, by J. B. Elwell

This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org


Title: Bridge Axioms and Laws

Author: J. B. Elwell

Release Date: November 24, 2011 [EBook #38120]

Language: English

Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1

*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BRIDGE AXIOMS AND LAWS ***




Produced by Chuck Greif and the Online Distributed
Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was
produced from images available at The Internet Archive)

Copyright, 1907
BY E. P. DUTTON & CO.
The Plimpton Press Norwood Mass. U.S.A.

BRIDGE AXIOMS

The best Bridge players are undoubtedly those who can draw inferences quickly and correctly.

Observation is an art enabling one to discover what other people's play conceals—as well as reveals.

Observation always infers, and one inference will lead to another.

Each card played speaks through its silence, and its language must be understood.

To converse intelligently through the medium of the cards, each must be seen as it falls with eyes that grasp its meaning.

Failure to note the play of a card is not lack of memory, but lack of heed.

Situations are kaleidoscopic and constant, and success may only be achieved by being perpetually alert to note them.

All time at Bridge should be devoted earnestly to what confronts a player, not to what is past.

It is better not to play at all, than to play without earnestness.

One careful game is worth any number of slipshod, careless efforts which are disconcerting to your partner, and the delight of your adversaries.

Bridge abounds with situations which must be learned.

Promptness in making a conclusion is a mental inspiration as well as an aid to expeditious play.

Hap-hazard play, first from one suit and then from another, will not induce a successful campaign in Bridge.

Haste and waste are anti-types in Bridge, as they are in everything.

To improve your Bridge, theory and practice must go hand in hand.

Bridge is a game of which much is learned through the mistakes made and heeded.

Do not fail to profit in future games by the mistakes that you discover in present play.

When you see clever plays that are new to you, analyse the motives that underlie them.

The soundest play will sometimes lose, and the worst will sometimes win.

Uniform good play, no matter what the luck may be, will ultimately triumph over bad play.

Tricks heedlessly lost mar the successful enjoyment of Bridge.

That you happily did not lose on a hand, is no palliation for the bad play of which you may have been guilty.

Do not overlook the tricks which may be gained by the use of a little card strategy.

Memory is simply a matter of observation and practice.

Careful Bridge cultivates memory.

What is done with a hand cannot be undone.

A successful partnership game must be based on perfect faith and confidence between partners.

Combined play in Bridge is absolutely essential to success.

When you accept a partner, you accept him as he is, not as you might wish him to be.

A trust in your partner's Bridge ability will overcome many obstacles in the way of drawing inferences.

If your partner objects to moving, do not advise him to change.

Do not begin by abusing your partner for the make; you practically say your hand is weak and the situation hopeless.

Your partner will play a better game if he does not fear your adverse criticism.

Do not tell your partner, after seeing all the cards, what he should have done; but think what you would have done in your partner's place.

The chronic complainant is a pessimistic partner and a peevish adversary.

One grain of encouragement is worth a pound of scolding in Bridge.

If you take advantage of your partner's breach of etiquette, you lay yourself open to adverse criticism.

The moment that you show subserviency you admit superiority.

Cards do not carry with them a license to be unfair or rude.

It is more important to inform your partner than to deceive your adversary.

Be generous with your praise of a well played hand.

Play the weak hands as interestedly as the strong.

Do not criticise at all; but—if you must—criticise fairly.

Never call attention to the score after the cards have been dealt.

No matter how cleverly the cards are managed, the player who underestimates the attention the state of the score demands will unnecessarily lose many a rubber.

The necessity for keeping the score constantly in mind grows upon all players as their experience in Bridge increases.

Know the requisite number of tricks to be taken, both to win and to save the game.

When you are a game behind, do not hesitate to gamble.

When you are a game to the good, make none but a conservative and sound declaration.

When the score is 18 to nothing against you on the first game, or when you are a game to the good, avoid a doubtful declaration which may enable the adversaries to win the game on your deal.

When the make is passed to you at a score of 24 all on the rubber game, declare your best suit.

When the game is saved, but cannot possibly be won, the seventh trick should be the objective point.

When you cannot reach game, never hazard the odd trick in an attempt to win two odd.

Many times the game can only be won or saved in case the cards lie in a certain position. Assume that the cards are favourably placed and play the hand accordingly.

When the game is seemingly lost, take the one chance of finding in your partner's hand the cards that will save it.

It is surprising how often a desperate expedient will overcome a desperate situation.

To force luck is to attempt to make it—a most idle task.

Human nature tempts mortals to lose more than they can win, sometimes more than they can afford.

Press good fortune while it lasts and do not linger when it refuses to smile.

If you win with invincible cards, your victory is cheap.

Do not ascribe to bad luck the result of bad play.

Whoever is favoured by luck may usually take all manner of chances and succeed.

More rubbers are lost by bad makes than by bad plays.

Often the result of one hand, which proves nothing, will encourage the tendency toward unsound makes.

The question "What will be the probable make if I pass?" is of great assistance in determining the declaration.

It is remarkable how many passed "no-trumpers" go astray; and the number proves the necessity for more cautious passed makes.

A good player can take more chances with the make because of his ability to play the cards properly.

No-trump play is an effort to establish and bring in small cards of a long suit.

Many a hand is ruined by careless and hasty play at the first trick.

Do not play your adversary's game for him, lend him no aid in establishing his suit.

Take all your finesses against the player who holds an established suit.

If, as dealer, you wish to make four tricks in a suit with but three in sight, give the adversaries a chance to discard.

When there are tricks that the adversaries must win, try to make this necessity a benefit to your hand.

Rid yourself of any high card which may interrupt the continuation of your partner's suit.

The dealer's main plan of a trump hand should be to exhaust trumps and bring in a suit.

Be cognisant of what you should accomplish and then decide how best to do it.

Pitfalls in the form of false leads, false cards and clever under-play should be dug for your adversaries at every opportunity.

Too much haste in showing ability to ruff in the weak trump hand frequently brings disaster.

When you are reasonably assured of every trick but one, lead your remaining trump.

As a rule avoid an inclination to ruff in the strong trump hand.

Remember that the partner who doubles usually has trump strength, and do not strew his pathway with obstructions by forcing him.

It is unusually bad play to double when you need only an odd trick to win the game.

The card led by your partner is a message of his holding in that suit.

Many a rubber is lost which the prompt lead of a high card might have saved.

It is too late to force when the adversaries hold the remaining trumps and an established suit.

Ruffing with a commanding trump rarely loses a trick and often gains one.

The temptation to over-trump should frequently be resisted.

Clear your long suit before you part with your card of re-entry.

Cultivate uniformity in your style of play, let there be no remarkable haste or hesitation in making or passing, and look as cheerful as possible.

Hesitation and mannerisms in Bridge should be carefully avoided.

Emphasise no play of your own, and show no pleasure or displeasure at any play.

Superiority of skill is shown by the play of the cards, not by mannerisms.

Continued hesitancy and nervous indecision are serious faults in Bridge.

Make up your mind to do your best with the cards that have been dealt you.

The occupant of the "high-chair" usually has a monopoly for giving advice.

Let your manner be uniformly such that no one can tell from it whether you are winning or losing.

Play Bridge with an eloquent silence; it will command both respect and admiration.

An occasional mistake is preferable to an irritating delay.

Slow play is, more or less, a habit. Its effect amounts to a fault.

When there is an unusual distribution of the cards, remarks are superfluous.

Indecision may tell your adversaries exactly what they are most eager to know.

Deliberation at the beginning of a hand is permissible and should be encouraged.

The player who interrupts the game to discuss the play should be ostracised from the card room.

Make no overt remarks during the play which may tend to give the adversaries information.

It is usually the inexperienced player who offers an astonishing amount of gratuitous and un-sought-for advice.

It is often difficult to refrain from showing pleasure at the accomplishment of a desired purpose, but consider that undue elation is most aggravating to the adversaries.

Post-mortems have their interest and, as a rule, are unmistakably convincing.

Do not venture upon a post-mortem unless you are certain of what the scalpel is going to reveal.

Do not continue to talk of harassing details when another hand is awaiting play.

General rules are formulated as an assistance to intelligent play.

Many brilliant plays are made in contravention to rules.

Certain laws that govern the technicalities are absolute, but rules in general are not the masters of Bridge.

Rules should be considered second to circumstances and to the fall of the cards.

There are hands in Bridge which may be said to play themselves.

All Bridge penalties should be strictly enforced.

You gather the cards when your partner takes the first trick.

Do not ask to have the cards placed unless it is solely for your own information.

A player has not the right to have the cards placed after they have been touched for the purpose of gathering them.

It is unfair to revoke purposely, or to make a second revoke in order to conceal the first.

The revoking side cannot win the game on that hand, nor score more than 28 points.

Clubs is a safer declaration, holding four with two honours, than spades, when but one or two are held without an honour.

Luck is a false friend and only stays with you until you are in trouble.

A poor player is most a poor player when he knows not that he is a poor player.

Lost tricks yield a crop of experience attained at the expense of rubbers.

Inattention is a companion that will never travel alone.

People who find it easy to decide for friends find it hard to decide for themselves.

People who have lots of advice to give dislike to take any.

The man who plays Bridge when he is angry is sure to make a mistake.

There is some hope for the player who discovers he can be mistaken.

Improvement comes from avoiding other people's mistakes.

He who plays the best talks the least of what he is doing.

Don't spend time grieving over a lost rubber that should be used in playing the next.

Sometimes one hasty play will overthrow the results of a carefully planned game.

Discouragement should make the player more resolute.

Preserve us from the bore who insists on turning conversation into argument.

It is the critical who are most sensitive to criticism.

The best way to deal with bad luck is to bear it gracefully.

The best players are always patient with the novice.

There are those who teach one Bridge because they play so badly.

Many people are so busy playing that they don't pause to think how they are playing.

Many call "bad luck" that which is only neglect to improve opportunity.

He who is too busy to consider his faults will never take time to mend them.

Those who think the least have the most time to criticise.

The expertness of the player who is at the pains to announce it may be doubted.

Some people ask for criticism but grow angry if it is adverse.

It is not so much your Bridge knowledge, but the use you make of it, that counts.

The novice plays before he thinks, the expert thinks before he plays.

The silent player, like the dog that bites without growling, gets the best hold on the game.

There are people so absorbed in their own Bridge perfection that it is impossible for them to see merit in anyone else.

A good way to succeed in Bridge is to observe what is most successful with others.

THE LAWS OF BRIDGE
Revised 1907

THE RUBBER

The partners first winning two games win the rubber. If the first two games be won by the same partners, the third game is not played.

SCORING

A game consists of thirty points obtained by tricks alone, exclusive of any points counted for honours, Chicane, or Slam.

Every hand is played out, and any points in excess of thirty points necessary for the game are counted.

Each trick above six counts two points when spades are trumps, four points when clubs are trumps, six points when diamonds are trumps, eight points when hearts are trumps, and twelve points when there are no trumps.

Honours are ace, king, queen, knave, and ten of the trump suit; or the aces when no-trump is declared.

Honours are credited to the original holders and are valued as follows:

If a player and his partner make thirteen tricks, independently of any tricks gained by the revoke penalty, they score Grand Slam and add forty points to their honour count.

Little Slam is twelve tricks similarly scored, and adds twenty points to the honour count.

Chicane (one hand void of trumps) is equal in value to three honours, i.e., if partner of player having Chicane scores honours he adds the value of three honours to his honour score, while, if the adversaries score honours, it deducts an equal value from their honour score. Double Chicane (a player and his partner both void of trumps) is equal in value to four honours, and the value thereof may be deducted from the total honour score of the adversaries.

The value of honours, Slam, Little Slam, or Chicane, is in no wise affected by doubling or re-doubling.

At the conclusion of a rubber the scores for tricks, honours, Chicane, and Slam, obtained by each side, are added, and one hundred points are added to the score of the winners of the rubber. The difference between the completed scores is the number of points won or lost by the winners of the rubber.

If an erroneous score affecting tricks be proven, such mistake must be corrected prior to the conclusion of the game in which it has occurred, and such game shall not be considered as concluded until the following deal has been completed and the trump declared, unless it be that the game is the last one of the rubber,—then the score is subject to inquiry until an agreement between the sides (as to the value of the rubber) shall have been reached.

If an erroneous score affecting honours, Chicane, or Slam be proven, such mistake may be corrected at any time before the score of the rubber has been made up and agreed upon.

CUTTING

In cutting, the ace is the lowest card and, as between cards of otherwise equal value, the lowest is the heart, next the diamond, next the club, and highest the spade.

In all cases every player must cut from the same pack.

Should a player expose more than one card, he must cut again.

FORMING TABLES

The prior right of playing is with those first in the room. If there are more than four candidates for seats at a table, the privilege of playing is decided by cutting. The four who cut the lowest cards play first.

After the table is formed, the players cut to decide on partners; the two lowest play against the two highest. The lowest is the dealer, who has choice of cards and seats, and who, having once made his selection, must abide by it.

Six players constitute a full table, and no player shall have a right to cut into a game which is complete.

When there are more than six candidates, the right to succeed any player who may retire is acquired by announcing the desire to do so, and such announcement shall constitute a prior right to the first vacancy.

CUTTING OUT

At the end of a rubber, should admission be claimed by one or two candidates, the player or players having played a greater number of consecutive rubbers shall withdraw; but when all have played the same number, they must cut to decide upon the outgoers; the highest are out.

RIGHTS OF ENTRY

A candidate desiring to enter a table must declare such wish before any player at the table cuts a card, either for the purpose of beginning a new rubber or of cutting out.

In the formation of new tables, those candidates who have neither belonged to nor played at any other table have the prior right of entry. Those who have already played decide their right of admission by cutting.

A player who cuts into one table while belonging to another shall forfeit his prior right of re-entry into the latter, unless by doing so he enables three candidates to form a fresh table. In this event he may signify his intention of returning to his original table, and his place at the new one can be filled.

Should any player quit the table during the progress of a rubber, he may, with the consent of the other three players, appoint a substitute during his absence; but such appointment shall become void with the conclusion of the rubber, and shall not in any way affect the substitute's rights.

If anyone break up a table, the remaining players have a prior right to play at other tables.

SHUFFLING

The pack must neither be shuffled below the table nor so the face of any card be seen.

The dealer's partner must collect the cards for the ensuing deal and he has the first right to shuffle the cards. Each player has the right to shuffle subsequently. The dealer has the right to shuffle last, but should a card or cards be seen during his shuffling, or whilst giving the pack to be cut, he must re-shuffle.

Each player, after shuffling, must place the cards properly collected and face downward to the left of the player next to deal.

THE DEAL

Each player deals in his turn; the order of dealing goes to the left.

The player on the dealer's right cuts the pack, and in dividing it he must not leave fewer than four cards in either packet; if in cutting or in replacing one of the two packets a card be exposed, or if there be any confusion of the cards or a doubt as to the exact place in which the pack was divided, there must be a fresh cut.

When the player whose duty it is to cut has once separated the pack he can neither re-shuffle nor re-cut the cards.

Should the dealer shuffle the cards, after the pack is cut, the pack must be cut again.

The fifty-two cards shall be dealt face downward. The deal is not completed until the last card has been dealt face downward.

THERE IS NO MISDEAL.

A NEW DEAL

There must be a new deal—

There may be a new deal—

The claim for a new deal by reason of a card exposed during the deal may not be made by a player who has looked at any of his cards. If a new deal does not take place, the card exposed during the deal cannot be called.

Should three players have their right number of cards, and should the fourth, not being dummy, have less than thirteen and not discover such deficiency until he has played any of his cards, the deal stands good; should he have played, he is answerable for any revoke he may have made as if the missing card or cards had been in his hand. The other pack may be searched for the missing card or cards.

If during the play of a deal a pack be proven incorrect or imperfect, such proof renders only the current deal void, and does not affect any prior score. The dealer must deal again.

Any one dealing with the adversaries' cards must be corrected before the play of the first card, otherwise the deal stands good. If any one deals when it is the turn of an adversary, such error must be corrected before the cards are dealt for the following deal.

A player can neither shuffle, cut, nor deal for his partner without the permission of his adversaries.

DECLARING TRUMPS

The trump is declared. No card is turned.

Should the dealer's partner make the trump without receiving permission from the dealer, the eldest hand may demand,

But if any declaration as to doubling, or not doubling, shall have been made, or if a new deal be not claimed, the declaration wrongly made shall stand. The eldest hand is the player on the left of the dealer.

Should the dealer's partner pass the declaration to the dealer, it shall be the right of the eldest hand to claim a new deal or to compel the offending player to declare the trump; provided, that no declaration as to doubling has been made.

If either of the dealer's adversaries make or pass the declaration, the dealer may, after looking at his hand, either claim a new deal or proceed as if no declaration had been made.

A declaration once made cannot be altered.

DOUBLING, RE-DOUBLING, ETC.

The effect of doubling, re-doubling, and so on, is that the value of each trick above six is doubled, quadrupled, and so on.

After the trump declaration has been made by the dealer or his partner, their adversaries have the right to double. The eldest hand has the first right. If he does not wish to double, he may ask his partner, "May I lead?" His partner shall answer, "Yes," or "I double."

If either of their adversaries elect to double, the dealer and his partner have the right to re-double. The player who has declared the trump shall have the first right. He may say, "I re-double" or "Satisfied." Should he say the latter, his partner may re-double.

If the dealer or his partner elect to re-double, their adversaries shall have the right to again double. The original doubler has the first right.

If the right-hand adversary of the dealer double before his partner has asked "May I lead?" the declarer of the trump shall have the right to say whether or not the double shall stand. If he decide that the double shall stand, the process of re-doubling may continue as described above.

The process of re-doubling may be continued indefinitely.^[A] The first right to continue the re-doubling on behalf of a partnership belongs to that player who has last re-doubled. Should he, however, express himself satisfied, the right to continue the re-doubling passes to his partner. Should any player re-double out of turn, the adversary who last doubled shall decide whether or not such double shall stand. If it is decided that the re-double shall stand, the process of re-doubling may continue as described in this and foregoing laws. If any double or re-double out of turn be not accepted, there shall be no further doubling in that hand. Any consultation between partners as to doubling or re-doubling will entitle the maker of the trump or the eldest hand, without consultation, to a new deal.

^[A] In some clubs, doubling ceases whenever the value of the odd trick exceeds one hundred points; in other clubs the limit is placed at two hundred points.

If the eldest hand lead before the doubling be completed, his partner may re-double only with the consent of the adversary who last doubled; but such lead shall not affect the right of either adversary to double.

When the question, "May I lead?" has been answered in the affirmative, or when the player who has the last right to continue the doubling expresses himself satisfied, the play shall begin.

Should the eldest hand lead without asking permission, his partner may double, but only if the maker of the trump consent.

Should the right-hand adversary of the dealer ask permission to lead, the eldest hand does not thereby lose his right to double. Should the right-hand adversary of the dealer double before his partner has asked "May I lead?" the maker of the trump shall have the right to say whether or not the double shall stand. If he decide that the double shall stand, the process of re-doubling may continue.

If the right-hand adversary of the dealer lead out of turn, the maker of the trump may call a suit from the eldest hand, who may only double if the maker of the trump consent.

A declaration as to doubling or re-doubling once made cannot be altered.

DUMMY

As soon as the eldest hand has led, the dealer's partner shall place his cards face upward on the table, and the duty of playing the cards from that hand shall devolve upon the dealer, unassisted by his partner.

Before exposing his cards, the dealer's partner has all the rights of a player, but after his cards have been shown the dealer's partner takes no part whatever in the play, except that he has the right——

Should the dealer's partner call attention to any other incident of the play, in consequence of which any penalty might be exacted, the fact of his so doing precludes the dealer exacting such penalty.

If the dealer's partner, by touching a card or otherwise, suggest the play of a card from dummy, either of the adversaries may, but without consultation, call upon the dealer to play or not to play the card suggested.

Dummy is not liable to the penalty for a revoke; and if he should revoke and the error be not discovered until the trick is turned and quitted, the trick stands good.

A card from the dealer's hand is not played until actually quitted; but should the dealer name or touch a card from the dummy hand, such card is considered as played, unless the dealer in touching the card or cards says, "I arrange," or words to that effect.

CARDS EXPOSED BEFORE PLAY

If, after the deal has been completed and before the trump declaration has been made, either the dealer or his partner expose a card from his hand, the eldest hand may, without consulting with his partner, claim a new deal.

If, after the deal has been completed and before a card is led, any player shall expose a card, his partner shall forfeit any right to double or re-double which he otherwise would have been entitled to exercise; and in case of a card being so exposed by the leader's partner, the dealer may either call the card or require the leader not to lead the suit of the exposed card.

CARDS EXPOSED DURING PLAY

All cards exposed by the dealer's adversaries are liable to be called, and such cards must be left face upward on the table.

The following are exposed cards:

A card dropped on the floor or elsewhere below the table is not an exposed card.

If two or more cards be played at once, by either of the dealer's adversaries, the dealer shall have the right to call which one he pleases to the current trick, and the other card or cards shall remain face upward on the table and may be called at any time.

If, without waiting for his partner to play, either of the dealer's adversaries should play on the table the best card, or lead one which is a winning card, as against the dealer and dummy, or should continue (without waiting for his partner to play) to lead several such cards, the dealer may demand that the partner of the player in fault win, if he can, the first, or any other of these tricks, and the other cards thus improperly played are exposed cards.

If either or both of the dealer's adversaries throw his or their cards on the table face upwards, such cards are exposed and are liable to be called; but if either adversary retain his hand he cannot be forced to abandon it. If, however, the dealer should say, "I have the rest," or any other words indicating that the remaining tricks are his, the adversaries of the dealer are not liable to have any of their cards called should they expose them, believing the dealer's claim to be true, should it subsequently prove false.

If a player who has rendered himself liable to have the highest or lowest of a suit called fail to play as directed, or if, when called on to lead one suit, lead another, having in his hand one or more cards of the suit demanded, or, if called upon to win or lose a trick, fail to do so when he can, he is liable to the penalty for revoke, unless such play be corrected before the trick is turned and quitted.

LEADS OUT OF TURN

If either of the dealer's adversaries lead out of turn, the dealer may call the card erroneously led, or may call a suit when it is the turn of either adversary to lead.

If the dealer lead out of turn, either from his own hand or dummy, he incurs no penalty; but he may not rectify the error after the second hand has played.

If any player lead out of turn and the other three follow him, the trick is complete and the error cannot be rectified; but if only the second, or second and third, play to the false lead, their cards may be taken back; there is no penalty against anyone except the original offender, who, if he be one of the dealer's adversaries, may be penalised as provided above.

In no case can a player be compelled to play a card which would oblige him to revoke.

The call of an exposed card may be repeated at every trick until such card has been played.

If a player called on to lead a suit have none of it, the penalty is paid.

CARDS PLAYED IN ERROR

Should the third hand not have played and the fourth play before his partner, the latter (not being dummy or dealer) may be called upon to play his highest or lowest card of the suit played, or to win or lose the trick.

If anyone, not being dummy, omit playing to a former trick and such error be not corrected until he has played to the next, the adversaries may claim a new deal; should they decide that the deal stands good, the surplus card at the end of the hand is considered to have been played to the imperfect trick, but does not constitute a revoke therein.

If anyone (except dummy) play two cards to the same trick, or mix a card with a trick to which it does not belong, and the mistake be not discovered until the hand is played out, he is answerable for any consequent revokes he may have made. If during the play of the hand the error be detected, the tricks may be counted face downward, in order to ascertain whether there be among them a card too many; should this be the case, the trick which contains a surplus card may be examined and the card restored to its original holder, who (not being dummy) shall be liable for any revoke he may meanwhile have made.

THE REVOKE

A revoke occurs when a player (other than dummy), holding one or more cards of the suit led, plays a card of a different suit. The penalty for a revoke takes precedence of all other counts.

A revoke is established if the trick in which it occurs be turned and quitted, i.e., the hand removed from the trick after it has been gathered and placed face downward on the table; or if either the revoking player or his partner, whether in his right turn or otherwise, have led or played to the following trick.

The penalty for a revoke is three tricks taken from the revoking player and added to those of the adversaries.

The penalty is applicable only to the score of the game in which it occurs.

Under no circumstances can the revoking side score game, in that hand. Whatever their previous score may have been, the side revoking cannot attain a higher score toward game than twenty-eight.

A player may ask his partner whether he has not a card of the suit which he has renounced; should the question be asked before the trick is turned and quitted, subsequent turning and quitting does not establish a revoke, and the error may be corrected unless the question be answered in the negative or unless the revoking player or his partner has led or played to the following trick.

If a player correct his mistake in time to save a revoke, any player or players who have followed him may withdraw their cards and substitute others, and the cards so withdrawn are not exposed cards. If the player in fault be one of the dealer's adversaries, the card played in error is an exposed card, and the dealer can call it whenever he pleases; or he may require the offender to play his highest or lowest card of the suit to the trick in which he has renounced.

If the player in fault be the dealer, the eldest hand may require him to play the highest or lowest card of the suit in which he has renounced, provided both adversaries of the dealer have played to the current trick; but this penalty cannot be exacted against the dealer when he is fourth in hand, nor can it be enforced at all from dummy.

At the end of a hand the claimants of a revoke may search all the tricks. If the cards have been mixed the claim may be urged and proved if possible; but no proof is necessary, and the revoke is established if, after it has been claimed, the accused player or his partner mix the cards before they have been sufficiently examined by the adversaries.

A revoke must be claimed before the cards have been cut for the following deal.

Should the players on both sides subject themselves to the revoke penalty neither can win the game by that hand.

The revoke penalty may be claimed for as many revokes as occur during a hand; but the accumulated penalty shall in no event exceed thirteen tricks.

GENERAL RULES

There should not be any consultation between partners as to the enforcement of penalties. If they do so consult, the penalty is paid.

Once a trick is complete, turned, and quitted, it must not be looked at until the end of the hand.

Any player during the play of a trick, or after the four cards are played and before they are touched for the purpose of gathering them together, may demand that the cards be placed before their respective players.

If either of the dealer's adversaries, prior to his partner's playing, should call attention to the trick, either by saying it is his, or, without being requested so to do, by naming his card or drawing it toward him, the dealer may require that opponent's partner to play his highest or lowest card of the suit led, or to win or lose the trick.

Either of the dealer's adversaries may call his partner's attention to the fact that he is about to lead out of turn, but if he make any unauthorised reference to any incident of the play the dealer may call a suit from the adversary whose turn it is next to lead.

In all cases where a penalty has been incurred, the offender is bound to give reasonable time for the decision of his adversaries; but if a wrong penalty be demanded none can be enforced.

The partner of the eldest hand may inform him that their adversaries have incurred a penalty, but may not give any further information. Should he suggest the penalty, or demand the enforcement of it, such action shall be deemed a consultation, and no penalty can be enforced.

NEW CARDS

Unless a pack be imperfect, no player shall have the right to call for one new pack. If fresh cards are demanded, two packs must be furnished and paid for by the player who has demanded them. If they are furnished during a rubber, the adversaries shall have their choice of new cards. If it is the beginning of a new rubber, the dealer, whether he or one of his adversaries be the party calling for the new cards, shall have the choice. New cards must be called for before the pack is cut for a new deal.

A card or cards torn or marked must be replaced by agreement or new cards furnished.

BYSTANDERS

While a bystander, by agreement among the players, may decide any question, yet he must on no account say anything unless appealed to; and if he make any remark which calls attention to an oversight affecting the score, or to the exaction of a penalty, he is liable to be called on by the players to pay the stakes on that rubber.

SPADE CONVENTION

I.—Where players agree "not to play spades" the rule is, that if the spade make is not doubled, the hand shall be played where either side is 20 or over.

II.—If the third hand player ask, "Shall I play?" or should he lead out of turn, or should the eldest hand lead without asking permission to play, the spade maker may take two on the score or may call a lead and require the hand to be played out.

III.—Should the third hand player double before his partner asks permission to play, the spade maker may decide whether the double shall stand or not; but the hand must be played out.

ETIQUETTE

It has been truthfully said that there is no game in which slight intimations can convey so much information as that of Bridge. In justice to those who, by their manner, give information, it may be stated that most of the apparent unfairness at the Bridge table is unintentional. Hesitation and mannerisms, however, cannot be too carefully avoided; such a breach of etiquette is an offence for which the adversaries have no redress except perhaps a refusal to continue the play.

It is obviously a greater fault to take advantage of information thus given. A play in your judgment may be perfectly sound, but you leave yourself open to criticism if it is in any way contingent on information obtained from your partner's manner.

Cultivate uniformity in your style of play; let there be no remarkable haste or hesitation in making or passing; try always to use the same formula of words, and do not call attention to the score after the cards have been dealt.

Remember that any undue hesitancy in regard to doubling will deprive a fair-minded partner of the privilege of so doing. Such delays are too frequent at spade declarations.

Emphasise no play of your own and show no pleasure or displeasure at any other play.

Do not ask to have the cards placed unless it is solely for your own information.

It is an offence either to revoke purposely or to make a second revoke in order to conceal the first.

The dealer's partner should not call attention to the score nor to any card or cards that he or the other players hold, and neither should he leave his seat for the purpose of watching his partner's play.

THE DECLARATION

Avoid a weak diamond make at a love score or when behind on the game.

Declare clubs at a score of 18 or more when reasonably assured of the game.

Declare spades at a score of 24 or more when reasonably assured of the game.

PASSED MAKES

Be cautious about declaring no-trumps when weak in the red suits.

Avoid all weak red makes on partner's pass.

Declare clubs instead of spades when you hold but one or two spades and a club suit of four or more cards including two honours.

Declare your best suit at a score of 24 all on the rubber game.

ORIGINAL LEADS AGAINST A DECLARED TRUMP

X indicates others.

THE ORIGINAL LEAD AT NO-TRUMP

UNBLOCKING AT NO-TRUMP

THE CHANGE THE SUIT
CALL

"What is new in the game of Bridge?" is a reiterated question of the day, and the invariable answer is "Nothing, nor does the lack of innovation tend to simplify the play."

All Bridge players have experienced the agony of being forced to discard a great suit, thoroughly established, on the dealer's lead, owing to the fact that the partner has made two efforts to establish the suit he originally opened.

Many times this continuation is sound: the leader holds a re-entry card, and he has secured no information as to his partner's strength from the early development of the game.

It is essential to good play that the dealer's adversaries should each gain definite knowledge of the others' holding. Any information that a play can convey is of inestimable help to them and of little or no benefit to the dealer, who is the master of his own two hands.

We all sympathise with that constantly uttered regret, "Oh, partner, if I had only known that you had that suit," and Bridge players the world over have felt the need of some conventional play that would indicate to the original leader an adequate reason for a change of suit.

The Change the Suit Call is a new convention designed to overcome this difficulty, one that will save countless tricks and rubbers, and one that will tend to minimise the dealer's acknowledged advantage in playing the two hands.

The convention is as follows: When the original leader's partner has a great suit, one that is established or one that may be established by a single lead through the dummy hand, an echo should be made in the suit led by the dealer. In other words, an echo in the adversary's suit is a command to the original leader to abandon his own unestablished suit and to switch to his partner's declared strength.

The idea is of course based on the call for trumps in Whist, in which game an echo in any plain suit is a command to the partner to lead trumps. In Bridge it is used principally at no-trump and its application is limited to an echo on the dealer's lead.

The reader will naturally ask, "How, when but two suits have been led, can I determine which of the two remaining to choose?" The cards in the leader's hand combined with those in the dummy will usually simplify the selection. Should the leader hold a re-entry in one of the remaining suits it is obvious that he has been asked to lead the other. When it happens that both the leader and the dummy are weak in both suits, the preference should usually be given to the one in which the combined hands contain the fewer number of cards.

This convention may, moreover, be used to great advantage by the original leader. How frequently he finds his suit hopelessly against him. Perhaps he holds no re-entry and the dealer in winning the first trick false cards. It is then that the original leader can use this echo to effect, to suggest that his suit should not be returned.

"The Change the Suit Call" may also be employed to some advantage on the dealer's trump or plain suit lead, to show great strength in one of the remaining suits, or by the original leader to indicate that the suit first led is not to be returned; but its main importance is in the no-trump application.

"The Change the Suit Call" is an absolutely sound trick-gaining proposition, and the successful results obtained from its use must rapidly establish it as a recognised convention of the game.

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Bridge Axioms and Laws, by J. B. Elwell

*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BRIDGE AXIOMS AND LAWS ***

***** This file should be named 38120-h.htm or 38120-h.zip *****
This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:
        http://www.gutenberg.org/3/8/1/2/38120/

Produced by Chuck Greif and the Online Distributed
Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was
produced from images available at The Internet Archive)


Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions
will be renamed.

Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no
one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation
(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without
permission and without paying copyright royalties.  Special rules,
set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to
copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to
protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark.  Project
Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you
charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission.  If you
do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the
rules is very easy.  You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose
such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and
research.  They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do
practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks.  Redistribution is
subject to the trademark license, especially commercial
redistribution.



*** START: FULL LICENSE ***

THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE
PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK

To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free
distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work
(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project
Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project
Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at
http://gutenberg.org/license).


Section 1.  General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm
electronic works

1.A.  By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm
electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to
and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property
(trademark/copyright) agreement.  If you do not agree to abide by all
the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy
all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession.
If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project
Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the
terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or
entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.

1.B.  "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark.  It may only be
used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who
agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement.  There are a few
things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works
even without complying with the full terms of this agreement.  See
paragraph 1.C below.  There are a lot of things you can do with Project
Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement
and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
works.  See paragraph 1.E below.

1.C.  The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation"
or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project
Gutenberg-tm electronic works.  Nearly all the individual works in the
collection are in the public domain in the United States.  If an
individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are
located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from
copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative
works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg
are removed.  Of course, we hope that you will support the Project
Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by
freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of
this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with
the work.  You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by
keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project
Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others.

1.D.  The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern
what you can do with this work.  Copyright laws in most countries are in
a constant state of change.  If you are outside the United States, check
the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement
before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or
creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project
Gutenberg-tm work.  The Foundation makes no representations concerning
the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United
States.

1.E.  Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:

1.E.1.  The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate
access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently
whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the
phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project
Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed,
copied or distributed:

This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org

1.E.2.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived
from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is
posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied
and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees
or charges.  If you are redistributing or providing access to a work
with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the
work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1
through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the
Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or
1.E.9.

1.E.3.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted
with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution
must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional
terms imposed by the copyright holder.  Additional terms will be linked
to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the
permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work.

1.E.4.  Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm
License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this
work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm.

1.E.5.  Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this
electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without
prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with
active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project
Gutenberg-tm License.

1.E.6.  You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary,
compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any
word processing or hypertext form.  However, if you provide access to or
distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than
"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version
posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org),
you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a
copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon
request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other
form.  Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm
License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.

1.E.7.  Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying,
performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works
unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.

1.E.8.  You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing
access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided
that

- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from
     the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method
     you already use to calculate your applicable taxes.  The fee is
     owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he
     has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the
     Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.  Royalty payments
     must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you
     prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax
     returns.  Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and
     sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the
     address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to
     the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation."

- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies
     you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he
     does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm
     License.  You must require such a user to return or
     destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium
     and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of
     Project Gutenberg-tm works.

- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any
     money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the
     electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days
     of receipt of the work.

- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free
     distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works.

1.E.9.  If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm
electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set
forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from
both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael
Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark.  Contact the
Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below.

1.F.

1.F.1.  Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable
effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread
public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm
collection.  Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain
"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or
corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual
property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a
computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by
your equipment.

1.F.2.  LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right
of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project
Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project
Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project
Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all
liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal
fees.  YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT
LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE
PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3.  YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE
TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE
LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR
INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
DAMAGE.

1.F.3.  LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a
defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can
receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a
written explanation to the person you received the work from.  If you
received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with
your written explanation.  The person or entity that provided you with
the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a
refund.  If you received the work electronically, the person or entity
providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to
receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund.  If the second copy
is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further
opportunities to fix the problem.

1.F.4.  Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth
in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER
WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.

1.F.5.  Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied
warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages.
If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the
law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be
interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by
the applicable state law.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any
provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.

1.F.6.  INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the
trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone
providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance
with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production,
promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works,
harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees,
that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do
or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm
work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any
Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause.


Section  2.  Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm

Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of
electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers
including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers.  It exists
because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from
people in all walks of life.

Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the
assistance they need, are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's
goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will
remain freely available for generations to come.  In 2001, the Project
Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure
and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations.
To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4
and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org.


Section 3.  Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive
Foundation

The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit
501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the
state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal
Revenue Service.  The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification
number is 64-6221541.  Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at
http://pglaf.org/fundraising.  Contributions to the Project Gutenberg
Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent
permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws.

The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S.
Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered
throughout numerous locations.  Its business office is located at
809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email
[email protected].  Email contact links and up to date contact
information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official
page at http://pglaf.org

For additional contact information:
     Dr. Gregory B. Newby
     Chief Executive and Director
     [email protected]


Section 4.  Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg
Literary Archive Foundation

Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide
spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of
increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be
freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest
array of equipment including outdated equipment.  Many small donations
($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt
status with the IRS.

The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating
charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United
States.  Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a
considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up
with these requirements.  We do not solicit donations in locations
where we have not received written confirmation of compliance.  To
SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any
particular state visit http://pglaf.org

While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we
have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition
against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who
approach us with offers to donate.

International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make
any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from
outside the United States.  U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.

Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation
methods and addresses.  Donations are accepted in a number of other
ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations.
To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate


Section 5.  General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
works.

Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm
concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared
with anyone.  For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project
Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.


Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed
editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S.
unless a copyright notice is included.  Thus, we do not necessarily
keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.


Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility:

     http://www.gutenberg.org

This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm,
including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary
Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to
subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.