General Rules
84. Where a player and his partner have an option of exacting from their adversaries one of two penalties, they should agree who is to make the election, but must not consult with one another which of the two penalties it is advisable to exact; if they do so consult they lose their right;35 and if either of them, with or without consent of his partner, demand a penalty to which he is entitled, such decision is final.
This rule does not apply in exacting the penalties for a revoke; partners have then a right to consult.
85. Any one during the play of a trick, or after the four cards are played, and before, but not after, they are touched for the purpose of gathering them together, may demand that the cards be placed before their respective players.
86. If any one, prior to his partner playing, should call attention to the trick—either by saying that it is his, or by naming his card, or, without being required so to do, by drawing it towards him—the adversaries may require that opponent’s partner to play the highest or lowest of the suit then led, or to win or lose36 the trick.
87. In all cases where a penalty has been incurred, the offender is bound to give reasonable time for the decision of his adversaries.
88. If a bystander make any remark which calls the attention of a player or players to an oversight affecting the score, he is liable to be called on, by the players only, to pay the stakes and all bets on that game or rubber.
89. A bystander, by agreement among the players, may decide any question.
90. A card or cards torn or marked must be either replaced by agreement, or new cards called at the expense of the table.
91. Any player may demand to see the last trick turned, and no more. Under no circumstances can more than eight cards be seen during the play of the hand, viz.: the four cards on the table which have not been turned and quitted, and the last trick turned.
Footnotes
1 Vide Law 72.
2 e.g. If a single is scored by mistake for a double or treble, or vice versâ.
3 In cutting for partners.
4 Example. A three, two sixes, and a knave are cut. The two sixes cut again, and the lowest plays with the three. Suppose at the second cut, the two sixes cut a king and a queen, the queen plays with the three.
If at the second cut a lower card than the three is cut, the three still retains its privileges as original low, and has the deal and choice of cards and seats.
5 Example. Three aces and a two are cut. The three aces cut again. The two is the original high, and plays with the highest of the next cut.
Suppose at the second cut, two more twos and a king are drawn. The king plays with the original two, and the other pair of twos cut again for deal.
Suppose instead, the second cut to consist of an ace and two knaves. The two knaves cut again, and the highest plays with the two.
6 i.e., his prior right.
7 And last in the room (vide Law 16).
8 Vide Law 34.
9 Vide Law 37.
10 After the two packets have been re-united, Law 38 comes into operation.
11 i.e., the same dealer must deal again. Vide also Laws 47 and 50.
12 Except as provided in Laws 45 and 50.
13 Vide also Law 36.
14 Or more.
15 The pack being perfect. Vide Law 47.
16 i.e., until after he has played to the first trick.
17 Vide also Law 70, and Law 44, paragraph iv.
18 It is not usual to call the trump card if left on the table.
19 Any one may inquire what the trump suit is, at any time.
20 In the manner described in Law 55.
21 Face upwards.
22 Detached cards (i.e., cards taken out of the hand but not dropped face upwards on the table, or dropped face downwards on the table), are only liable to be called, if named; vide Law 60.
23 If two or more cards are played at once, the adversaries have a right to call which they please to the trick in course of play, and afterwards to call the others.
24 And then lead without waiting for his partner to play.
25 Without waiting for his partner to play.
26 i.e., the first time that side obtains the lead.
27 i.e., the penalty of calling a suit must be exacted from whichever of them next first obtains the lead. It follows that if the player who leads out of turn is the partner of the person who ought to have led, and a suit is called, it must be called at once from the right leader. If he is allowed to play as he pleases, the only penalty that remains is to call the card erroneously led.
28 i.e., whichever of them next first has the lead.
29 At every trick.
30 Vide also Law 46.
31 Vide also Law 61.
32 And add them to their own.
33 Vide Law 77.
34 In the manner prescribed in Law 72.
35 To demand any penalty.
36 i.e., refrain from winning.