ASKING QUESTIONS ABOUT THE BIDDING

A player is always entitled to ask questions about either of the opponent’s bids

WHEN IT IS THEIR TURN TO BID

BUT!

If you ask a question and then pass you are suggesting that you may have some interest in entering the auction.

Even worse is to ask a question about a specific suit which draws partner’s attention to it and may attract an unnatural lead.

This is known as “Passing Unauthorised Information”

Now you have placed your partner in a difficult position after you pass.

If your partner subsequently bids the opponents may call the director. The director now has to use his/her judgment to decide if 70% of the room would have made the same bid or lead if they had no “unauthorized information” from partner.

YOU ARE ON LEAD
As a defender you should wait to ask questions until the auction is over.

Even then you should be careful how you word your question trying not to draw attention to any particular suit.

YOUR PARTNER IS ON LEAD

Always wait until partner has selected their opening lead and they have placed it face down before you ask any questions that partner has not asked. If you ask a question before partner has selected their lead it may be considered that you have influenced your partner’s choice of card.

BEST ADVICE. If you are not sure what is going on wait until the auction is over. A good player will be able to tell you, within reasonable limits, what there partner is holding.

DECLARER may ask any question at any time of either opponent as they cannot pass “Unauthorised Information” to anyone.