[freewindy]

I'm sangho in South Korea.

Recently there is an issue related with procedure of playing dummy's card.

It is usual that Declarer plays a card from dummy by naming the card.

However, there are some persons who always pick up dummy's card by himself even through dummy is present at table.

One day opponents claims that this is not correct procedure and they want declarer to name the card and dummy play the card.

I think that it is not correct procedure but acceptable. but opponents want to punish declarer.


I want to know procedure of playing dummy's card in other country.

Is it acceptable that declarer pick up dummy's card to play in every trick even though dummy is present at table?


As far as I know, It is not unusual that declarer pick up dummy's card to play trick in some countries even through dummy is present at table.

and I also saw that declarer pick up dummy's card to play trick in internaltional competition and director said nothing about it.



Law 45 is related with this issue.

What is your interpretation of "if necessary" in Law 45B?


Law 45 - Card Played

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.

[Vampyr]

"If necessary" is generally understood to mean if dummy is away from the table or has some physical disability.

[barmar]

"if necessary" means if dummy isn't able to pick up the card himself. For instance, if he's disabled, or he leaves the table to go to the rest room.

[gordontd]

Some players do this on occasion when it's not strictly necessary, often when they are used to playing rubber bridge, and it is usually condoned. However, if a player tries to do it routinely in spite of knowing what the law says then there is no reason why they shouldn't be given a procedural penalty for it. It's certainly annoying and distracting for the others at the table.