CONTROL OF BOARD AND CARDS

Placement of Board

When a board is to be played it is placed in the centre of the table where it shall remain, correctly oriented, until play is completed.

Removal of Cards from Board

1. Each player takes a hand from the pocket corresponding to his compass position.
2. Each player counts his cards face down to be sure he has exactly thirteen; after that, and before making a call, he must inspect the faces of his cards.
3. During play each player retains possession of his own cards, not permitting them to be mixed with those of any other player. No player shall touch any cards other than his own (but declarer may play dummy’s cards in accordance with Law 45) during or after play except by permission of an opponent or the Director.

Returning Cards to Board

After play has finished, each player should shuffle his original thirteen cards, after which he restores them to the pocket corresponding to his compass position. Thereafter no hand shall be removed from the board unless a member of each side, or the Director, is present.

Responsibility for Procedures

Any contestant remaining at a table throughout a session is primarily responsible for maintaining proper conditions of play at the table.