A method for avoiding lock out conditions during connection set up between near field communication devices (140, 142) each being capable to be operated as a reader, said method comprising the succession of steps for a particular near field communication device (140, 142) comprising a transmitter, receiver and/or transceiver: performing a first initiation procedure in a first data format according to a first protocol, comprising sending a first radio frequency signal sequence using the transmitter or transceiver for a first predetermined period of time, activating the receiver or transceiver for receiving data signals in the first data format after said sending said first radio frequency signal sequence, and sending a second radio frequency signal sequence using the transmitter or transceiver for a second predetermined period of time, if no data signal has been received, after activating said receiver or transceiver during the first initiation procedure; performing a second initiation procedure in a second data format different to the first data format according to a second protocol different to the first protocol, comprising sending a first radio frequency signal sequence using the transmitter or transceiver for a first predetermined period of time, activating the receiver or transceiver for receiving data signals in the second data format after said sending said first radio frequency signal sequence, and sending a second radio frequency signal sequence using the transmitter or transceiver for a second predetermined period of time, if no data signal has been received, after activating said receiver or transceiver during the second initiation procedure; waiting (12, 16) for a changing random length delay period in a delay state, with the receiver or transceiver of the particular near field communication device deactivated, detecting wake up signals from other near field communication devices, during said delay period in said delay state; and repeating these steps in this succession. performing a first initiation procedure in a first data format according to a first protocol, comprising sending a first radio frequency signal sequence using the transmitter or transceiver for a first predetermined period of time, activating the receiver or transceiver for receiving data signals in the first data format after said sending said first radio frequency signal sequence, and sending a second radio frequency signal sequence using the transmitter or transceiver for a second predetermined period of time, if no data signal has been received, after activating said receiver or transceiver during the first initiation procedure; performing a second initiation procedure in a second data format different to the first data format according to a second protocol different to the first protocol, comprising sending a first radio frequency signal sequence using the transmitter or transceiver for a first predetermined period of time, activating the receiver or transceiver for receiving data signals in the second data format after said sending said first radio frequency signal sequence, and sending a second radio frequency signal sequence using the transmitter or transceiver for a second predetermined period of time, if no data signal has been received, after activating said receiver or transceiver during the second initiation procedure; waiting (12, 16) for a changing random length delay period in a delay state, with the receiver or transceiver of the particular near field communication device deactivated, detecting wake up signals from other near field communication devices, during said delay period in said delay state; and repeating these steps in this succession. sending a first radio frequency signal sequence using the transmitter or transceiver for a first predetermined period of time, activating the receiver or transceiver for receiving data signals in the first data format after said sending said first radio frequency signal sequence, and sending a second radio frequency signal sequence using the transmitter or transceiver for a second predetermined period of time, if no data signal has been received, after activating said receiver or transceiver during the first initiation procedure; performing a second initiation procedure in a second data format different to the first data format according to a second protocol different to the first protocol, comprising sending a first radio frequency signal sequence using the transmitter or transceiver for a first predetermined period of time, activating the receiver or transceiver for receiving data signals in the second data format after said sending said first radio frequency signal sequence, and sending a second radio frequency signal sequence using the transmitter or transceiver for a second predetermined period of time, if no data signal has been received, after activating said receiver or transceiver during the second initiation procedure; waiting (12, 16) for a changing random length delay period in a delay state, with the receiver or transceiver of the particular near field communication device deactivated, detecting wake up signals from other near field communication devices, during said delay period in said delay state; and repeating these steps in this succession.