151.3 Modifications of penalties

The Laws of Duplicate Contract Bridge 1997 are in effect except as specified below:

151.3.1 Law 9A2(b)(1); Law 42B(3); Law 43A(1)(b)
Dummy calling attention to irregularity

151.3.2 Law 13
Incorrect number of cards

The artificial adjusted score and penalty prescribed in the first paragraph apply only if the call has been transmitted to the other side of the screen.

151.3.3 Laws 25 through 32; Law 34; Laws 36 through 39
Changes of call; Insufficient bids; Calls out of rotation; Inadmissible calls

Both Sides at Fault. When the infringing call is nonetheless passed across the screen, both sides being at fault (as when either player commits a bidding infraction and the proper player - North or South - moves the tray before rectification), both players on the other side of the screen are responsible for calling attention to the infraction and summoning the Director. The Director shall return the tray to the offending players for rectification of the irregularity without penalty. These infringing calls may not be accepted.

Only One Side at Fault. When a call is passed across the screen both players on the other side of the screen are responsible for drawing attention to any infraction and summoning the Director. If only one side is found to be at fault, and except as otherwise provided in these or any other Conditions, a call placed and transferred to the other side of the screen is subject to the normal provisions of the Laws.

Irregularity not Noticed. When the infringing call is passed across the screen, and neither player there draws attention to it, the tray eventually being returned to the side of the screen where the bidding irregularity was committed, the auction stands without penalty or rectification. However, in the case of an inadmissible call, Law 35 applies.

Information - Authorised or Not. Information from withdrawn calls is unauthorised for any partnerships at fault but authorised for a player or partnership that has committed no irregularity. If the Director determines that the unauthorised information from withdrawn calls precludes normal bidding, he shall award an artificial adjusted score.

151.3.4 Law 33 Simultaneous calls

The call deemed to be subsequent by Law 33 is cancelled without penalty.

151.3.5 Law 41A; Law 54 Opening Lead Out of Turn

The offender's screen-mate should attempt to prevent any opening lead out of turn. A faced down lead out of turn is retracted without penalty. A faced opening lead out of turn is retracted without penalty if the screen has not been raised.

When the screen has been raised after a faced opening lead out of turn - through no fault of the declaring side

and the other partner has not yet led face up, the lead is considered to be out of turn and Law 54 applies;

and the other partner has also led face up, the card becomes a major penalty card.

When the declaring side has incorrectly opened the screen, the lead is accepted. The Director shall award an adjusted score if he considers that the player who opened the screen could have known that it would be to his advantage to accept the lead.

151.3.6 Law 76 Spectators

Spectators may not sit so they can see both sides of the screen.