The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1932-12-15
By BEATRICE BURTON
Contract
Bridge
BY 2. v. SHEPARD
PROPERTIES OF CONTRACT
BRIDGE

Whist players observe scru-
pulously the ethics of the game.
All forms of bridge belong to
the whist family, and players
continue to observe the ethics.
The laws are intended to settle
in advance what players may
do or may not do. The laws
presume players are honest and
willing to observe the niceties
of the game. The proprieties,
as set forth in the new laws, call
especial attention to what is i'm
proper. Some of these points
are given below.
A player offends, if he fails to
avoid the following:
Undue delay in making a call.
Calling with special emphasis,
infection, or intonation. Vary
ing the formulae in calling. Elk.
ceptional haste or reluctance in
passing or in doubling. An I'M
necessary request for review
of calls made.
In any way attracting atten-
ton to the score, except when
necessary for his own informa-
ton. Giving by word, manner
or gesture any information or
indication of the nature of any
hand held, allowing differences
to be drawn from any act Of
his, or making misleading re-
marks or gestures.
Calling attention to the num-
Der of tricks played, or to the
number of tricks required to de-
feat or complete the contract.
Influenced BY Remarks
Indicating approval or disap-
prevail of his partners call or
play. Allowing his partners
acts or remarks to influence a
call or play. Any unnecessary
request to place the cards played
to a trick. Playing a card with
special emphasis. Preparing to
gather a trick before all four
hands have played to it. De-
taching a card from his hand
before it is his turn to lead or
play. Volunteering information
that should only be given in
reply to a question.
Handling Or moving the still
pack at the end of the hand
when not the next dealer. Fail.
ing to keep tricks in order, or
allowing some of them to be
placed at the opposite side of
the table.
1t is particularly discourteous
and meddlesome to push for
ward a card from the dummy,
unless you happen to be the de-
clarer.
It is dishonest to employ any
convention not known to every
player at the table, or to use
any term in any manner differ.
ing from that usually en-
ployed.
Bystanders never should stand
behind a player. Nor may any
onlooker call attention to any
irregularity or mistake, or give
any information concerning
any point of fact or law, ex-
cept when requested to do so.
Mean Acts
Dishonorable acts include
watching the manner in which
player arranges his cards. or
the place in hand from which
he draws a card, or drawing
any inference therefrom.
Trying to annoy or upset a
player by needless delays in
calling or playing, or remarks
intended to disturb any player,
place the guilty one outside the
circle of ethical and honest
players.
It always has been consid-
cred legitimate to keep quiet
the fact that you have revoked
through inadvertence, but on
the other hand it is illegal to
knowingly revoke second
time to conceal the fact that
you have previously revoked.
No player wishes to benefit
by score containing an error
in his favor, and it is proper to
call attention to any error,
either for or against your side.
Along the same lines is calling
attention to the fact that a
player is holding his cards so
that some of them may be