CHAPTER II
Preliminaries
LAW 1
THE PACK - RANK OF CARDS AND SUITS
Duplicate Contract Bridge is played with a pack of 52 cards, consisting of 13 cards in each of
four suits. The suits rank downward in the order Spades (
), Hearts (
), Diamonds (
), Clubs
(
). The cards of each suit rank downward in the order Ace, King, Queen, Jack, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2.
LAW 2
THE DUPLICATE BOARDS
A duplicate board containing a pack is provided for each deal to be played during a session.
Each board is numbered and has four pockets to hold the four hands, designated North, East,
South and West. The dealer and vulnerability are designated as follows:
| North Dealer | Boards | 1 | 5 | 9 | 13
|
| East Dealer | Boards | 2 | 6 | 10 | 14
|
| South Dealer | Boards | 3 | 7 | 11 | 15
|
| West Dealer | Boards | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16
|
| | | | | | |
| Neither Side Vulnerable | Boards | 1 | 8 | 11 | 14
|
| North-South Vulnerable | Boards | 2 | 5 | 12 | 15
|
| East-West Vulnerable | Boards | 3 | 6 | 9 | 16
|
| Both Sides Vulnerable | Boards | 4 | 7 | 10 | 13
|
The same sequence is repeated for Boards 17-32, and for each subsequent group of 16 boards.
No board that fails to conform to these conditions should be used. If such board is used,
however, the conditions marked on it apply for that session.
LAW 3
ARRANGEMENT OF TABLES
Four players play at each table, and tables are numbered in a sequence established by the
Director. He designates one direction as North; other compass directions assume the normal
relationship to North.
LAW 4
PARTNERSHIPS
The four players at each table constitute two partnerships or sides, North-South against
East-West. In pair or team events, the contestants enter as pairs or teams and retain the same
partnerships throughout a session (except in the case of substitutions authorized by the
Director). In individual events each player enters separately, and partnerships change during
a session.
LAW 5
ASSIGNMENT OF SEATS
- A. Initial Position
-
The Director assigns an initial position to each contestant (individual, pair or team) at the
start of a session. Unless otherwise directed, the members of each pair or team may select
seats among those assigned to them by mutual agreement. Having once selected a compass
direction, a player may change it within a session only upon instruction or with permission of the Director.
- B. Change of Direction or Table
-
Players change their initial compass direction or proceed to another table in accordance with
the Director's instructions. The Director is responsible for clear announcement of
instructions; each player is responsible for moving when and as directed, and for occupying the
correct seat after each change.
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 Jan 21 17:55:42 MET 2002
