AUCTION BRIDGE.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 248, 19 October 1928, Page 6

AUCTION BRIDGE.

SUPER CONTRACT BRIDGE.

(By A. E. MANNING FOSTER.)

Many valuable hints about American Contract are given in a new book by F. P. Barton. The official laws as laid down by the Whist Club of New York should be studied carefully, as they differ in several important particulars from our Auction laws. The following should be especially, noted. If during the deal a player other than the dealer touches a card so as to face it and so makes a nefe deal necessary, the opponents can score 50 points above the line. A player who undercalls may correct it before another player has declared or drawn attention to the nnder-call. Should any player call attention to- the under-call the offender must either make his call good or may call the correct amount of tricks in a higher call in any suit or no trumps. His partner is not permitted to take part in the auction. This is quite different from the English laWj which allows a player to amend his call only in the same bid as he has previously made.

A bid out of turn does not stand, and the proper bidder makes his bid. The only penalty is that the partner of the offender is not allowed to take any further part in the auction, but the offender is allowed to bid again in his right turn. In the case of a lead out of turn, if either opponent cover the card before attention has been drawn to the error, the lead stands good. This is quite different from the English law, which permits the fourth in hand to draw attention to the wrong lead when all cards played are returned without penalty. Another innovation i» that a trick quitted may be seen by any player provided he or his partner have not led or followed to the next trick. An important difference occurs in the revoke penalty. The penalty for the first revoke is two tricks taken from the revoking partners; for subsequent revokes 100 pointß above the line. The tricks taken for a revoke count as if made, and carry all bonuses and can contribute to the slam if contracted for.

After the two tricks are taken the revoking side may score for the remaining tricks as if it had not revoked. This is diffefent from both the American and English Auction Bridge laws, and should be borne in mind, as it materially affects the game.

Bidding to the score is a very important feature at Contract. Suppose you are 60 up towards game (game, of course, being 100 points) you must put a construction on your partner s minor suit bid of two Diamonds different from the construction you would put upon it at love score. Score bids are exceptions to . rulM, but they do not justify an initial bid without the prescribed minimum of two quick tricks.