The Standard Game is Partnership, with two Teams seated at each table. Dealer is determined by direction indicated on the Official Score Sheet. The deck consists of 52 cards (with no Jokers). Prior to each hand, the deck is shuffled and offered for a cut. All 52 cards are dealt. In the event a card is exposed by the dealer, the hand is voided, and the cards are re-dealt. An incorrect number of cards will also cancel the deal. A bid deck is used separately.

SCORING AND SCORE LIMIT

Each Round will consist of a game of +500 points; minus 250 points; or 10 hands which ever comes first. Each trick in a successful Team contract is worth ten points (eg. a bid of 7 making 7 scores +70 points).

Overtricks or "bag" are worth one point each. Defeated set contracts result in a deduction of ten points for each trick bid. An accumulation of ten bags by either Team will result in a deduction of 100 points. A successful Nil (bid of zero tricks) bid is worth +100 points. A "set" Nil Bid loses 100 points. Remember, a Nil is a separate contract; however, any tricks taken by the Nil bidder count as bags toward that Teams accumulated bag total. There are no double nil bids!

The scorer is the player seated in the North position, unless another player is designated by mutual consent.

BIDDING PROCEDURE

The opening bid is made by the person seated to the immediate left of the dealer. This is accomplished by taking a card from the bid deck (one suit) and turning it upright. Bids are ranked from one (the Ace) to ten (the ten). An eleven bid is designated by the Jack; a twelve bid by the Queen, and a Nil bid by upturning the KING. Please do not use the Jack or Queen for a Nil bid the Nil will be voided. The Scorer then records the bids on the Official Form.

Note: the bid cards for each player are left upturned as a reminder of each bid. The use of the bid deck will be reviewed prior to Round One.

OPENING LEAD/ROTATION OF PLAY/FOLLOWING SUIT

The Opening Lead is made by the player seated to the immediate left of the dealer. He/she removes a card from their hand, and places it face up in the middle of the table. As soon as a played card touches the table, it is boarded, and cannot be retracted. Any card may be led with the exception of a trump. Spades cannot be led until the trump suit is broken or the player on lead holds nothing but spades.

Each player in clockwise rotation, plays a card and the four cards become a trick or book. A player must follow suit; otherwise, he/she may discard any side suit card or trump with a spade. The winner of the previous trick then leads the first card to the next trick. It is suggested that each player keep his/her respective won tricks separately from those won by his/her partner.

COMPLETION OF HAND/SCORING

After all 13 tricks have been completed, the scores for that hand are reconciled by a comparison of the number of tricks won and the actual bid contracts. The score for each hand must be checked, before the next hand is dealt. At the conclusion of the Round, the players will sign the Scoresheet on the back side before it is brought to the Director's table for posting.

IRREGULARITIES AND PROCEDURAL VIOLATIONS

• Renege (Revoke)
  If a player discards or trumps when able to follow suit, he/she is said to Revoke. A Revoke may be corrected before the first card of the next trick is led. This is called a Renounce and will result in a Penalty Card. If the next trick is led to, then the Revoke becomes established.



• Exposed Card
  If a player accidentally or prematurely exposes a card during the course of a hand, he/she is subject to a penalty card ruling.



• Bid out of turn
  The person to the left of the dealer has the opening bid of each hand. In the event that any other player bids, this is deemed as a bid out of turn, and will result in a ruling.



• Lead out of turn (Incorrect lead)
  Any lead made by a player who is NOT on lead is a rules violation.

PENALTIES AND RULINGS

In the event that a procedural violation occurs, the Director must be called and will make an appropriate ruling.

• Revoke
  The penalty for an established revoke is the loss of bid against the offender's Team and credit for a successful bid to the opponents.



• Exposed Card/Penalty Card
  If a player prematurely exposes the Ace or King, or Queen of spades during the play of the hand, or bidding, a 50 point penalty will be assessed. If a player exposes any other card, a 25 point penalty will be assessed. In addition, the exposed card will remain upturned in front of the offender and will be played at first legal opportunity. In the event that the exposed card conveys information affecting strategy, the Director will make an adjusted ruling. Please note that a Renounce will also result in a Penalty Card Ruling.



• Bid out of Turn
  If a player other than the proper bidder, makes a bid (using the bidding deck) out of turn, there will be a 25 point penalty. In addition, the opponents will be allowed to consult, and determine if they want to accept said bid. If this course is taken, then the bid out of turn will become the first bid, and the rotation of bidding will continue. If the bid out of turn is declined, the bidding will revert to the proper position. The Director may have to adjudicate any situation which may arise because of an improper bid.



• Lead out of Turn
  In the event that a player inadvertently leads a card out of turn, the opponents may consult and determine if they wish to accept said lead. If the incorrect lead is rejected, then the lead reverts to the proper position, and a penalty card ruling is made.



• Claims and Concessions
  If a player exposes his/her hand and claims all remaining tricks, he/she must announce the order of play. If they fail to do so, the Director must be called to make a final ruling. It is strongly recommended that all hands be played out to a conclusion.

It is imperative that you follow the schedule and Round Assignments. Don't be late - a loss will be your fate! The Rules and Penalties are in place for your protection.

The Director must be called in the event of any irregularities or Penalty situations. Please do not make your own rulings!

Good Luck and have a pleasant Tournament!

FORMAT FOR MSO WORLD EVENT ONLY - AUGUST 2000

All teams are guaranteed four qualifying Rounds which are progressively Swiss-Paired, as in Chess Tournaments. Teams with identical or similar records are paired together after every Round. (Round One Pairings are randomly drawn). Playoffs are single-elimination, and Teams are seeded in the brackets according to their qualifying Round results. Teams with three or four wins will advance to playoffs. Pairings are always posted 10 minutes prior to each Round.