or if the deal has been imported from a different session. (These provisions shall not prevent arrangements, where desired, for exchange of boards between tables).A. The Shuffle
Before play starts, each pack is thoroughly shuffled. There is a cut if either opponent so requests.
B. The Deal
The cards must be dealt face down, one card at a time, into four hands of thirteen cards each; each hand is then placed face down in one of the four pockets of the board. The recommended procedure is that the cards be dealt in rotation, clockwise.
C. Representation of Both Pairs
A member of each side should be present during the shuffle and deal unless the Director instructs otherwise.
D. New Shuffle and Re-deal
1. If it is ascertained before the auction first begins on a board that the cards have been incorrectly dealt or that during the shuffle and deal a player could have seen the face of a card belonging to another player there shall be a new shuffle and deal. Thereafter Law 16C applies to the accidental sighting of a card belonging to another player's hand before completion of the play of the board (but see Law 24). Any illegally dealt board is a fouled board, and for any other irregularity see the relevant Law.
2. Unless the purpose of the tournament is the replay of past deals no result may stand if the cards are dealt without shuffle from a sorted deck or if the deal has been imported from a different session. (These provisions shall not prevent arrangements, where desired, for exchange of boards between tables).
3. Subject to Law 22A, there must be a new shuffle and a redeal when required by the Director for any reason compatible with the Laws (but see Law 86C).
E. Director's Option on Shuffling and Dealing
1. The Director may instruct that the shuffle and deal be performed at each table immediately before play starts.
2. The Director may himself perform the shuffle and deal in advance.
3. The Director may have his assistants or other appointed agents perform the shuffle and deal in advance.
4. The Director may require a different method of dealing or pre-dealing to produce the same wholly random expectations as from A and B above.
F. Duplication of Board
If required by the conditions of play, one or more exact copies of each original deal may be made under the Director's instructions. When he so instructs there shall normally be no redeal of a board (although the Director has powers to order it).
A „sorted deck” is a pack of cards not randomized from its prior condition.
 Law 5 - ASSIGNMENT OF SEATS |  |
Law 7 - CONTROL OF BOARD AND CARDS  |