Bridge Etiquette
Bridge is a game that, while social and fun, can also be mentally and emotionally challenging. The complexity of the game often leads to mistakes, and the competitive nature can increase stress levels. Therefore, maintaining composure and politeness is crucial.
General Behavior:
- Composure and Politeness: Always be pleasant and polite to both your partner and your opponents, regardless of the circumstances. This helps create an enjoyable atmosphere for everyone.
- Handling Rudeness: If another player is downright rude, call the Director immediately. Rudeness should not be tolerated in any bridge club.
- Dealing with Grumpiness: If you encounter a grumpy player, remember it is only for a short time. Be generous towards the possibility they might have a chronic or painful illness and enjoy the rest of the session.
- Ongoing Issues: If you have ongoing issues with a particular player, consider sitting in the same direction to avoid contact or aim to get a good score against them, politely of course.
General Courtesies:
- Punctuality: Arrive at least 10 minutes early for the game, or 15 minutes early if you need a partner.
- Mobile Phones: Set your mobile phone to silent before the game. If you need your phone on for emergencies, inform the Director before the game begins.
- Greetings: Greet your opponents when you (or they) arrive at a new table.
- Maintain a Poker Face: Avoid revealing any information through facial expressions or body language. Don’t frown, sigh, or react visibly.
- Thanking Partner: Always thank your partner when they place the dummy cards on the table.
- Silence During Play: Avoid talking or commenting during the bidding or the play. It can convey information and is distracting for everyone.
- Avoid Post-Mortems: Refrain from discussing hands at the end of each round. Save advice for your partner until the end of the session.
- Positive Comments: Praise good play or defense by opponents, but avoid criticism or negative comments.
- No Gloating: Don’t gloat or praise your partner for making a contract due to an opponent’s error. Respect the opponents' loss and move on to the next hand.
- Handling Cards: Do not touch another player’s cards during the game, including Dummy’s cards. If necessary, ask your opponent to show you a particular card.
- Director Calls: Learn not to be offended when a director is called. The director ensures the integrity of the game. Note that Dummy may not call the director until the hand is ended.
Table Manners:
- Dealing with Boards and Cards: Only take your cards out of the board when one of the opponents is at the table. Count your cards face down to ensure you have 13 and report any discrepancies immediately.
- Board Placement: Keep the board on the table during bidding and play.
- North-South Responsibilities: North-South players manage the table, look after the boards, and handle the bidding pad sheets. It is standard for North-South to ask East-West to move the boards at the end of the round.
- Announcing Bids: Announce the point range of partner’s 1NT bid and the length of partner’s 1C bid. No response is required.
- Prompt Bidding and Play: Be ready to bid or play when it is your turn. If your partner is taking too long, you may prompt them with “Are you thinking, partner?”
- Opening Leads: Hold your opening lead face down until you get the go-ahead from your partner to avoid leads out of turn.
- Consistent Tempo: Bid all hands with a consistent tempo and write bids the same size, avoiding full stops.
- Questions on Bids: Ask questions about opponents’ bidding only when it is your turn to bid or after the auction has concluded.
- Alerting Bids: Alert bids as required but do not provide explanations unless asked by opponents. You may not alert your own bid.
- Played Cards: Once a card is tabled or called for, it is considered played. If you have revoked, call for the Director.
- Reviewing Tricks: You may look at your last trick if you have not played to the next trick. Once your card is face down, you cannot review it.
- Confirming No Follow: When your partner fails to follow suit, you may ask, “no hearts, partner?” Do not indicate you are out of a suit when it is your turn to play.
- Detaching Cards: Do not detach a card from your hand before it is your turn to play.
- Dummy’s Role: Dummy should not touch a card before receiving instructions from the declarer and should remain silent except in specific situations (wrong lead, incorrect suit, or misplayed trick).
- Claiming Tricks: Face your cards on the table when claiming the remainder of the tricks and explain your line of play.
- Shuffling Cards: Shuffle your cards before returning them to the board, especially after a passed-out hand.
- Waiting for the Move: Wait for the move to be called before moving to the next table.
This guide aims to ensure that all players contribute to a positive and respectful atmosphere, allowing everyone to enjoy the game of bridge.
