RETRACTION OF CARD PLAYED

In Course of Rectification

A card once played may be withdrawn when required by rectification following an irregularity (but a defender’s withdrawn card may become a penalty card, see Law 49).

To Correct an Illegal Play

A played card may be withdrawn to correct an illegal play (for defenders, except as this Law provides, see 49. penalty card). For simultaneous play see Law 58.

To Change an Unintended Designation

A played card may be withdrawn and returned to the hand without further rectification after a change of designation permitted by Law 45C4(b).

Following Opponent’s Change of Play

After an opponent’s change of play a played card may be withdrawn and returned to the hand without further rectification and another card may be substituted. (Laws 16C and 62C2 may apply.)

Change of Play Based on Misinformation

1. A lead out of turn (or play of a card) is retracted without further rectification if the player was mistakenly informed by an opponent that it was his turn to lead or play (see Law 16C). A lead or play may not be accepted by his LHO in these circumstances and Law 63A1 does not apply.
2. 1. A player may retract the card he has played because of a mistaken explanation of an opponent’s call or play and before a corrected explanation, without further rectification, but only if no card was subsequently played (see Law 16C). An opening lead may not be retracted after dummy has faced any card.
   2. When it is too late to correct a play under (a) the Director may award an adjusted score.

Other Retraction

1. A card may be withdrawn as Law 53B provides.
2. Except as this Law specifies, a card once played may not be withdrawn.