Basic Etiquette

Unlike a lot of sports and mind sports, being polite to other people is actually a matter of law and it is not acceptable to be impolite to anyone when playing bridge whether it be partner, opponents, other players in the room, directors, kibitzers, tea ladies or even the girlfriend of the player at the next table. But a lot of impoliteness is unintentional since players often do not know what they should be doing in certain situations.

When you arrive at a table it is polite to greet your opponents. If you are in the middle of a discussion with partner, break off, greet the opponents and, if time permits, resume your discussion. Some people think discussing things with partner is often rude with opponents present, but nearly everyone does it and it has to be accepted as long as it is not while players have cards in their hands. Once the cards are out of the board, such discussion must stop.

How do you call the director? “Director, please” is best. Calling them by name, except in a very social club or on a bridge holiday where everyone knows everyone else, is a little dubious since your opponents may feel that you are trying to put them off and suggesting the director is your friend. Even if that’s not true, it gives the impression that it is.

Do you have a system card also called a convention card? While it’s not required in many clubs, you should have one if your system is not basic. If you are the only pair in the club playing Precision, you should have system cards even if no one else does. When you reach a table, you should make sure your system card is placed where it’s easy for opponents to reach. In the USA, many female competitors keep theirs on their laps, and it’s a brave man who takes it! Some keep it in handbags and never take it out.

What happens at the end of a hand? Of course North or South (it doesn’t matter which) enters the score into the Bridgemate or writes it on the traveller. They then show it to East or West for approval — but some players skip that. In the case of a Bridgemate, the opponent should press the button to accept the score; players who do not pass it are being rude. During this, there’s often discussion, and also when previous scores are seen (not all clubs display them). If they are available, they should be visible to anyone who wants to see them.

The player who looks after the boards usually North must put the next board on the table, and players should then take their cards out. Discussion must then stop. A lot of time is wasted between hands. This is especially important when a table has fallen behind; it doesn’t matter whose fault it is (though players often insist it’s not theirs!) but wasting time between hands is a very annoying and impolite habit when a table is behind.

Table Example

Travis made the obvious nine tricks for two off. Millie ended the discussion with: “Perhaps Jane’s missing planet is Pluto it’s very small you know,” and after a short pause she added forcibly, “Travis, your round I think.” I decided not to point out that Pluto was no longer regarded as a planet.