How to Use a Bridge Bidding Box

The popularity of bridge bidding boxes, particularly in bridge tournaments, is spreading. This simple system of cards allows players to make their bids silently, making the game of bridge and bridge tournaments quieter and better managed.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Standard deck of 52 playing cards
• Bridge bidding box (either left or right handed)
• 4 players divided into 2 teams

1. Become familiar with the types of cards in a bridge bidding box. These consist of all the legal calls that can be made in a game of bridge, including the stop, alert and pass calls.

2. Choose your call or bid (the number and suit of cards you plan to take during game play) and select the appropriate bid card.

3. Allow the auction, or bidding process, to continue around the table in the regular fashion, passing from dealer and going clockwise around the table.

4. Use verbal pronouncements only when required by the rules of the game. For example, the American Contract Bridge League requires players to say "Alert" aloud when using this card, except in cases where bidding screens are in use.

5. Know that you may be obligated to keep an erroneously played bid card. As with verbal bidding, the director of the bridge game is allowed to determine whether the incorrectly made bid qualifies for a re-bid. You can avoid selecting and laying down the wrong bid card by placing your thumb over the bid card as you select it, and looking at it before you lay it on the table.

6. Expect that there may be special circumstances under which a bridge bidding box may not be used. For example, if a player is limited by a disability of some kind, an announcement may be made that the table shall not play with a bidding box. Bridge bidding boxes are now required at all American Contract Bridge League Tournaments unless these circumstances exist.

Tips & Warnings

• You should always have your bid in mind before selecting a card from the bridge bidding box. Hesitation over a bidding card may indicate to your opponent your own insecurity in your bid, giving them an unfair advantage over your team.

[petergibbons]

on 3/7/2008 Please explain how and when to use the STOP and ALERT cards