The World Bridge Federation (WBF) recommends the following procedures when bidding boxes are in use without screens.
Starting with the dealer, players place bidding cards on the table in front of them, from the left and neatly overlapping so that all calls are visible and faced towards partner; players should refrain from touching any bidding cards until they have determined their call. A call is considered to have been made when the bidding card(s) is removed from the bidding box with apparent intent (but Law 25 may apply).
Alerts should be made by use of the alert card; it is the responsibility of the Alerting player to ensure that his opponents are aware of the Alert.
A player ``announces'' a skip bid by placing the stop card in front of him, then placing his bidding card as usual, and eventually removing the stop card. His LHO should not call until the stop card has been removed.
Until they are removed from the table, a player obtains a review of the auction by inspecting the bidding cards. When such an inspection is not feasible, a player may obtain an oral review of the auction at his first turn to play to trick one.
If the stop card has been removed hastily or has not been used, an opponent may pause as though the stop card had been used correctly.
