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.
See Duplicate Decisions
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.
See Duplicate Decisions
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.
See Duplicate Decisions
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.
See Duplicate Decisions
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.
