S c o t t i s h B r i d g e U n i o n

Laws and Ethics Forum:    October 2010



The Bidding Box & Stop Card – some questions answered 

We have received some enquiries about use of the bidding box, and particularly the STOP card.

Question 1 -  “I’ve been told that once I touch a card in the bidding box, I’ve got to play it.  Is that so?

Not so.  The regulations say “A call is considered to be made when the card is removed from the box, with apparent intent”.  There are some important qualifications, however.  There is an exception for a mechanical error, covered in question 2.   Secondly, a player should not touch or partially remove then replace cards in the bidding box.  This is likely to convey “unauthorised information” and if opponents feel that they have been damaged, they should call the Director.

Question 2 -  “Sometimes the cards are sticky, and the wrong bid appears on the table.  I suppose I’ve got to make that now?”

Again not so.  The regulations allow for correction of a “mechanical error” when it is clear that this is the reason for the wrong bid.  This will often be a card stuck to or missing from the pile of cards removed.  It is very unlikely that a bid from a different part of the bidding box will ever be interpreted as a mechanical error.  The player may have placed the bid on the table, and can even attempt to rectify the bid after left hand opponent has called (lho may change his bid if correction is allowed), as long as partner has not called or the bidding is complete.

The key points are that the player must attempt rectification as soon as he or she notices the error, and that it is clear that the error was a mechanical one, and not a change of mind.  An insufficient bid will usually be ruled as such, but rectification may be allowed without penalty if the player corrects it instantly, with no underlying inference of the bids having different meanings.

Question 3 -    “The STOP card just slows things up.  Surely I don’t need to pause for 10 seconds if I’ve absolutely nothing to think about?”

The pause is 100% obligatory, under all circumstances. 

As background, it may be helpful to clarify why the STOP card was introduced.  Bidders should generally make their bids in reasonably even tempo, as in many situations long thought before a call will convey additional information illegally to the “pauser’s” partner.  One situation where this is a particular problem is when a player’s right hand opponent jumps the bidding.  Deprived of bidding space, the player may have to consider the bidding plan afresh. 

The pause of about 10 seconds was therefore introduced to help the player on the left of a jump bidder.  It was not designed to help the side making the bid, perhaps to clarify that “I have jumped the bidding, partner!” which seems to be the interpretation in some quarters.

If a player does not pause as required, it is highly probable that unauthorised information will have been conveyed.  A quick pass may say “I’m weak”, or a quick bid “I’ve got a clearcut bid, partner”.  Additionally and most importantly, an obvious show of disinterest during the pause is totally inappropriate, as it conveys the same “I’m weak, partner” message as a quick pass.

A player who has been “stopped” should thus always pause (10 seconds is approximate) and have a neutral demeanour throughout the pause.  Any deviation from this may incur a penalty.