Handling The Cards   

How To Handle Cards.   Believe it or not, there are procedures for handling your cards. The most important thing is to never let anyone see any card in your hand - - certainly not your partner or opponent, but also not anyone walking by. If your partner or opponent should drop a card on the floor, look away immediately. Don't look down on the floor to help pick him it up.

Count Every Hand, Face Down. You must count your cards face down before opening your hand. This is in case there is a discrepancy, which will be remedied by a director. Count them face down, being careful to not show anyone the bottom card.

Don't Dawdle. Pick up your cards all at once and sort them quickly to begin bidding. It's extremely irritating to play with people who pick up their cards one at a time and cause others to wait while they casually arrange them into suits. Bridge is a timed game, so don't waste other people's time.

Play Procedure. During the play, place each card face up, flat on the table with nothing obstructing the view of any player. Leave them there, face up, until the winner of the trick turns his card face down; then you do the same. After they are faced down, they may not be turned face up again. (You may ask the opponents about turning up the last trick only, but technically they shouldn't be turned over again. Don't make a habit of this -- remember what's been played.

Your 1 Square Foot. Leave one corner of the table for each player -- card tables at tournaments are small, and there are table markers, boards, bidding boxes  and convention cards which must be available. There isn't room for lots of drinks, purses, etc. In any case, you are entitled to only one corner of the table. Don't be a table hog - someone will call the director on you.

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(c) Robert D. McConnell, 1998  All Rights Reserved