A.
Play of Card from a Hand
Each player except
dummy plays a card by detaching it from his hand and facing* it on the table
immediately before him.
B.
Play of Card from Dummy
Declarer plays a card
from dummy by naming the card, after which dummy picks up the card and faces it
on the table. In playing from dummy’s hand declarer may, if necessary, pick up
the desired card himself.
C.
Compulsory Play of Card
1. A defender’s card held so that it is possible for his partner to see
its face must be played to the current trick (if the defender has already made
a legal play to the current trick, see Law 45E).
2. Declarer must play a card from his hand if it is
(a)
held face up, touching or nearly touching the table; or
(b) maintained
in such a position as to indicate that it has been played.
3. A card in the dummy must be played if it has been deliberately touched
by declarer except for the purpose either of arranging dummy’s cards, or of
reaching a card above or below the card or cards touched.
4. (a) A card must be played if a player names
or otherwise designates it as the card he proposes to play.
(b) Until his
partner has played a card a player may change an unintended designation if he
does so without pause for thought. If an opponent has, in turn, played a card
that was legal before the change in designation, that opponent may withdraw the
card so played, return it to his hand, and substitute another (see Laws 47D and
16D1).
5. A penalty card, major or minor, may have to be played
(see Law 50).
D.
Card Misplayed by Dummy
If
dummy places in the played position a card that declarer did not name, the card
must be withdrawn if attention is drawn to it before each side has played to
the next trick, and a defender may withdraw and return to his hand a card
played after the error but before attention was drawn to it; if declarer’s RHO
changes his play, declarer may withdraw a card he had subsequently played to
that trick. (See Law 16D.)
E.
Fifth Card Played to Trick
1. A fifth card contributed to a trick by a defender becomes a penalty
card, subject to Law 50, unless the Director deems that it was led, in which
case Law 53 or 56 applies.
2. When declarer contributes a fifth card to a trick from his own hand or
dummy, it is returned to the hand without further rectification unless the
Director deems that it was led, in which case Law 55 applies.
F. Dummy Indicates Card
After dummy’s hand is
faced, dummy may not touch or indicate any card (except for purpose of
arrangement) without instruction from declarer. If he does so the Director
should be summoned forthwith and informed of the action. Play continues. At the
end of the play the Director shall award an adjusted score if he considers
dummy suggested a play to declarer and the defenders were damaged by the play
suggested.
G.
Turning the Trick
No player should turn
his card face down until all four players have played to the trick.
* The opening
lead is first made face down unless the Regulating Authority directs otherwise.