Bridge is a social game. Proper demeanor is expected. Civility is required.
The ACBL's Zero Tolerance Policy is in effect at all times.

For you smokers, we provide a conveniently located ashtray outside the club. It's right next to the lawn chairs we put out every morning. The window sill is not an ashtray. The shrubbery bed that looks like a giant kitty litter box is not an ashtray. This shouldn't be too difficult.

Your director is there to assist with any dispute or procedural question. The director is responsible for maintaining order and equity. Please call the director politely for any issue that arises at the table. Do not view calls to the director as intimidating or for fixing fault or blame.

We will always reserve stationary North/South seats for immobile players. Please call in advance. It helps us maintain proper stratification. Otherwise, North/South seats are available on a first come, first served basis. As always, we appreciate your willingness to play East/West when you prefer North/South allowing less mobile players stationary seating.

Your entry indicates both section and direction. Tables are not assigned unless reserved. Please sit in the direction and section appearing on your entry. Once play has begun, you may not switch directions without permission of the director.

It's a great idea to check your scores on the internet. We occasionally mis-enter scores. More often they are recorded incorrectly. If a pickup has been signed and entered with a mis-scored board, we can only correct obvious errors without the opponents' agreement.

Cell phones are an unappreciated annoyance. If you believe an urgent call is due, notify your director. We'll likely keep the phone up front where it can be immediately answered. Due to an increasing number of disturbances, penalties may be assessed if your phone does ring.

You may have noticed the sign ahead of the front parking area. The fellow that owns Chances Are does not appreciate our patrons parking in his lot. As a result, we hope to reserve the seven spaces in the front of the building for patrons who have difficulty walking from street parking to the front door. Please be considerate of our less mobile friends. If you park in the shopping center lot, please do not park in front of other stores. Stick to the central spaces.

Strata A players; please make an effort not to sit adjacent to another A strata pair. It helps if you sit at an odd numbered table.

Limit your discussion of hands during the session. Frequently we overhear remarks that others could use to their advantage. You risk losing a board and may affect the final results.

There are a number of books on the shelves near the men's restroom.  Non-bridge books are there for the taking. Bring in your used books if you wish to share. The bridge books are there
for reference. Please feel free to borrow one but be sure to return it for others to enjoy and learn from.

Your director is not a waiter or errand person.

North, you are responsible for your table. Be certain you have the correct boards and
opponents at the beginning of each round. Scoring is your responsibility. East/West should check and initial the pick-up. You must move boards at the end of the round. If your table is still in play when the round is called, pass all but your last board when the round is called. Make sure your last round pick-up gets to the front desk for entering.

Close the bathroom door. On your way in and out. Thanks.

Please keep purses and other personal belongings off the floor in the area surrounding your table. Many of us are not as sure on our feet as when we were younger.

Do not fold up your hand at the end of play until there is agreement as to the final result.

Before you make your opening lead, place your lead face down on the table and ask if partner has any questions concerning the auction. This has the added benefit of protecting you from a lead out of turn. Face your opening lead before doing any paperwork. Let declarer begin mulling her line of play while you complete your personal score.

You may ask if partner is out of a suit when partner fails to play to that suit.
This may prevent a revoke.

The object is to bid and play in tempo. Failure to do so can result in unauthorized information to partner (or authorized implication for your opponents). Make every effort to bid and play in tempo. Skip bids, whether the STOP card is used or not, require a 10 second delay. You must not display your assessment of the bid during the delay.

Using the STOP card is optional. You must be consistent. Either use the card or not. Don't use it sometimes and not others.

Your effort to keep your bidding box in order is appreciated.

Bidding boxes are used for all bids and calls. Do not reach for the box until you have determined your call. Hesitation at the box or moving from one section to another can provide partner with unauthorized information.

It's inappropriate to question an opponent about a bid in order to alert partner to its meaning, a desired lead or some unusual aspect of the auction.

Bridge is a timed game. It is necessary to complete the round within the allotted time. If you are still playing when the round is called be sure to pass boards to the next table so they may begin the next round. 

Normally, you are allowed 7 minutes per board. Occasionally, we all run into a hand that takes extra time, however, habitual slow play delays everyone's game and is subject to penalty.

There is a difference between misinformation and misbidding. Misinformation must be corrected. We are all entitled to our misbids. Everyone makes mistakes. As long as partner and you have no agreement and you have simply made a bidding error, there can be no correction on the board. In the event that you or partner fails to alert a call or either of you provides inaccurate information to the opponents, you must correct the situation. If your side declares, the opponents should be told before the opening lead. If you are defending (now there is a chance you will awaken partner), the opponents must be notified at the completion of play.

Each partner should have a completed convention card available for opponent's review. They must be identical. Each partner should keep an accurate personal score. Failure to have an accurate personal score can result in an adverse ruling on a disputed board.

We try very hard to provide a comfortable playing environment. Room temperature is set at a level comfortable for the majority of the room. As play begins, room temperature is usually a little higher because of all the activity ... it'll cool down again. Players must leave the thermostats alone!

You are not allowed to touch another player's hand without permission. If you believe there has been an infraction, call your director.

Finally, because I do all the work on this website, I get to vent.
We do a lot of preparation before your games and clean-up afterward. There is an amazing amount of garbage generated during and following the game. That's just part of the business.  However, picking up soiled personal items should not be. Please don't leave your used Kleenex and soiled personal items on the floor or table. It shouldn't be too much trouble to put them in a nearby trash container.
If you value your North/South, pick up your area at the conclusion of the game.
We all really appreciate this.