And That’s The Law!
Submitted by Roz Dixon

LAWS 50, 51, 52
MAJOR PENALTY CARD

      A major penalty card (PC) is any honor card (A, K, Q, J, 10) exposed accidentally, prematurely led,

or two or more penalty cards (regardless of size).

                    DURING AUCTION

                Offender’s partner must pass one time

       If the pass damages the non-offending side, Law 23 may apply.

            DURING PLAY

       PC must be played at the first legal opportunity. Failure to lead or play the PC by playing another card

causes all illegally played cards to become major PCs. If the defender does play another card, then:

PC remains a major penalty card

Declarer may accept the lead

   Declarer may require the PC/PCsuit to be played

      Declarer has three options each time offender’s partner is on lead.

      Offender’s partner may not lead to a new trick until declarer has selected an option. If offender’s

      partner makes a premature lead, it also becomes a PC.

      1. Require the lead of the PC suit just once.

  (All PCs of this suit are restored to the offender’s hand.)

      2. Prohibit the lead of the PC suit as long as offender’s partner remains on lead

(All PCs of this suit are restored to the offender’s hand.)

      3. PC remains a PC

      Offender’s partner may lead any card.

      As long as a PC is exposed, declarer has the same options available to him each

time offender’s partner is on lead

      Declarer has no options when the player with the PC is on lead and the defender properly leads the PC.

      If a defender has two PCs which can be legally played declarer may designate which one will be played.

               If leader’s partner has two or more PCs in more than one suit, the declarer may require the lead of one

              of the suits, for the first trick only unless offender’s

              partner retains the lead. (All PCs in that suit are then restored to hand.) Declarer may forbid the lead of

              any PC suit as long as the lead is retained. (All PCs in that suit are restored to hand.)

MINOR PENALTY CARD

            A prematurely exposed card (9 or less) — a card inadvertently exposed,

            dropped accidentally, or playing two cards to a trick is a minor penalty card and must be tabled face-up.

BEFORE AUCTION

Board has never been played.

Not fully dealt, shuffle and redeal.

FULLY DEALT

Adjust for unauthorized information (Law 16)

Board previously played.

Play and score normally.

If not possible, adjustment, may be required.

DURING PLAY

Defender exposes card

        If accidentally dropped, minor penalty card.

        If it is held so partner could have seen the face of the card or to name it as being in his hand it becomes a

major penalty card. Declarer exposes a card

        If accidentally dropped, card is restored to hand.

        If intentionally faces card, it is a claim/concession unless in response to an opening lead
        (either face-up or face-down If declarer faces one or more cards in an out-of-turn,

opening lead dummy becomes declarer.

DISPOSITION OF MINOR PENALTY CARD

        It does not have to be played or led at first opportunity.

        A card from any other suit may be played.

        If the Minor Penalty Card is played, any honor in that suit may be played.

        A small card in that suit may not be played until after the minor penalty card has been played.

        Offender’s partner is not subject to a lead penalty; however, unauthorized information may apply (Law 16).