LAW 17 – THE AUCTION PERIOD

A.      Auction Period Starts

The auction period on a deal begins for a side when either partner withdraws cards from the board.

B.      The First Call

The player designated by the board as dealer makes the first call.

C.      Successive Calls

The player to dealer’s left makes the second call, and thereafter each player calls in turn in a clockwise rotation.

D.      End of Auction Period

1. The auction period ends when, subsequent to the end of the auction as in Law 22A, either defender faces an opening lead. (If the lead is out of turn then see Law 54.) The interval between the end of the auction and the end of the auction period is designated the Clarification Period.
2. If no player bids (see Law 22B) the auction period ends when all four hands have been returned to the board.
3. When a call has been followed by three passes the auction does not end if any of those passes was out of rotation, depriving a player of the right to call. When this occurs the auction reverts to the player who missed their turn, all subsequent passes are cancelled and the auction proceeds normally. Law 16C applies to the cancelled calls, any player who has passed out of rotation being an offender.

LAW 18 – BIDS

A.      Proper Form

A bid designates a number of odd tricks (tricks in excess of six), from one to seven, and a denomination. (Pass, double and redouble are calls but not bids.)

B.      To Supersede a Bid

A bid supersedes a previous bid if it designates either the same number of odd tricks in a higher-ranking denomination or a greater number of odd tricks in any denomination.

C.      Sufficient Bid

A bid that supersedes the last preceding bid is a sufficient bid.

D.      Insufficient Bid.

A bid that fails to supersede the last preceding bid is an insufficient bid.  It is an infraction to make an insufficient bid (see Law 27 for rectification).

E.       Rank of the Denominations

The rank of the denominations in descending order is: no trump, spades, hearts, diamonds, clubs.

F.      Different Methods

Regulating Authorities may authorize different methods of making calls.

LAW 19 – DOUBLES AND REDOUBLES

A.      Doubles

1. A player may double only the last preceding bid. That bid must have been made by an opponent; calls other than pass must not have intervened.
2. In doubling, a player should not state the number of odd tricks or the denomination. The only correct form is the single word “Double”.
3. If a player, in doubling, incorrectly states the bid, or the number of odd tricks or the denomination, the bid is deemed to have been doubled as it was made. (Law 16 Unauthorized Information may apply.)

B.      Redoubles

1. A player may redouble only the last preceding double. That double must have been made by an opponent; calls other than pass must not have intervened.
2. In redoubling, a player should not state the number of odd tricks or the denomination. The only correct form is the single word “Redouble”.
3. If a player, in redoubling, incorrectly states the doubled bid, or the number of odd tricks or the denomination, the bid is deemed to have been redoubled as it was made. (Law 16 Unauthorized Information may apply.)

C.      Double or Redouble Superceded

Any double or redouble is superseded by a subsequent legal bid.

D.      Scoring a Doubled or Redoubled Contract

If a doubled or redoubled bid is not followed by a subsequent legal bid, scoring values are increased as provided in Law 77.

LAW 20 – REVIEW AND EXPLANATION OF CALLS

A. Call Not Clearly Recognized

A player may require clarification forthwith if in doubt about what call has been made.

B. Review of Auction during Auction Period

During the auction period, a player is entitled to have all previous calls restated at their turn to call, unless required by law to pass. Alerts should be included when responding to the request.  A player may not ask for a partial review of previous calls and may not halt the review before it is completed.

C. Review After Final Pass

1. After the final pass either defender has the right to ask if it is their opening lead (see Laws 47E and 41).
2. Declarer[1] or either defender may, at their first turn to play, require all previous calls to be restated. (See Laws 41B and 41C). As in B the player may not ask for only a partial restatement or halt the review.

D. Who May Review the Auction

A request to have calls restated shall be responded to only by an opponent.

E. Correction of Error in Review

All players, including dummy or a player required by law to pass, are responsible for prompt correction of errors in restatement (see Law 12C1 when an uncorrected review causes damage).

F. Explanation of Calls

1. During the auction and before the final pass any player may request[2]an explanation of the opponents’ auction at their turn to call. The player is entitled to know about calls actually made, about relevant alternative calls available that were not made, and about inferences from the choice of action where these are matters of partnership understanding. Except on the instruction of the Director replies should be given by the partner of the player who made the call in question. The partner of a player who asks a question may not ask a supplementary question until their turn to call or play. Law 16 may apply and the Regulating Authority may establish regulations for written explanations.
2. After the final pass and throughout the play period, either defender at their turn to play may request an explanation of the opposing auction. Declarer may request an explanation of a defender’s call or card play understandings before playing from hand or from dummy. Explanations should be given on a like basis to 1 and by the partner of the player whose action is explained.
3. Under 1 and 2 above a player may ask concerning a single call but Law 16B1 may apply.
4. (a)A player who gives an explanation that is erroneous or incomplete and realises it during the auction must summon the Director before the end of the Clarification Period and correct the misexplanation.
   (b)The Director may be called sooner but there is no obligation to do so. (For a correction during the play period, see Law 75B2.)
5. The Director when summoned applies Law 21B or Law 40B3. (a) A player whose partner has given a mistaken explanation may not correct the error during the auction, nor indicate in any manner that a mistake has been made. ‘Mistaken explanation’ here includes failure to alert or announce as regulations require or an alert (or an announcement) that regulations do not require.
   (b)A player who believes that partner’s explanation was erroneous (see Law 75B), must call the Director and inform the opponents, but only at the first legal opportunity, which is:
   (i) for a defender, at the end of the play.
   (ii) for declarer or dummy, after the final pass of the auction.
6. If the Director judges that a player has based an action on misinformation given by an opponent see, as appropriate, Law 21 or Law 47E.

G. Incorrect Procedure

A player may not ask a question if the sole purpose is to benefit partner.

A player may not ask a question if the sole purpose is to elicit an incorrect response from an opponent.

Except as the Regulating Authority allows, a player may not consult their own system card and notes during the auction period and play [but see Law 40B2(b)].

LAW 21 – MISINFORMATION

A. Call or Play Based on Player’s Own Misunderstanding

No rectification or redress is due to a player who acts on the basis of their own misunderstanding.

B. Call Based on MisInformation from an Opponent

1. (a) Until the end of the auction period (see Law 17D) and provided that partner has not subsequently called, a player may change a call without other rectification for that side when the Director judges that the decision to make the call could well have been influenced by misinformation given to the player by an opponent. Failure to alert promptly where an alert is required by the Regulating Authority is deemed misinformation.
   (b) The Director is to presume Mistaken Explanation rather than Mistaken Call in the absence of evidence to the contrary.
2. When a player elects to change a call because of misinformation (as in 1 preceding), LHO may then in turn change any subsequent call made, but Law 16C applies.
3. When it is too late to change a call and the Director judges that the offending side gained an advantage from the irregularity an adjusted score is awarded.

LAW 22 – END OF AUCTION

The auction ends when:

A. one or more players having bid, there are three consecutive passes in rotation subsequent to the last bid. The last bid becomes the contract (but see Law 19D).

B.  all four players pass (but see Law 25). The hands are returned to the board without play. There shall not be a redeal.

LAW 23 – COMPARABLE CALL

A. Definition

A call that replaces a withdrawn call is a comparable call, if it:

1. has the same or similar meaning as that attributable to the withdrawn call, or
2. defines a subset of the possible meanings attributable to the withdrawn call, or
3. has the same purpose (e.g. an asking bid or a relay) as that attributable to the withdrawn call.

B. No Rectification

When a call is cancelled (as per Law 29B) and the offender chooses in proper turn to replace the irregularity with a comparable call, then both the auction and play continue without further rectification. Law 16C2 does not apply, but see C following.

C. Non-Offending Side Damaged

If following the substitution of a comparable call [see Laws 27B1(b), 30B1(b)(i), 31A2(a) and 32A2(a)] the Director judges at the end of the play that without the assistance gained through the infraction the outcome of the board could well have been different, and in consequence the non-offending side is damaged, an adjusted score shall be awarded [see Law 12C1(b)].

LAW 24 – CARD EXPOSED OR LED DURING THE AUCTION

When the Director determines that during the auction, because of a player’s own error, one or more cards of that player’s hand were in position for the face to be seen by partner, the Director shall require that every such card be placed face up on the table until the auction ends. Information from cards thus exposed is authorized for the non-offending side but unauthorized for the offending side (see Law 16C).

A. Low Card Not Prematurely Led

If it is a single card below the rank of an honour and not prematurely led, there is no further rectification (but see E following).

B. Single Card of Honour Rank or Card Prematurely Led

If it is a single card of honour rank or is any card prematurely led, offender’s partner must pass at their next turn to call (see Law 72C when a pass damages the non-offending side).

C. Two or More Cards Are Exposed

If two or more cards are so exposed offender’s partner must pass at their next turn to call (see Law 72C when a pass damages the non-offending side).

D. Declaring Side

If the offender becomes declarer or dummy the cards are picked up and returned to the hand.

E. Defenders

If at the conclusion of the auction the offender is to become a defender, every such card becomes a penalty card (see Laws 50 and 51).

LAW 25 – LEGAL AND ILLEGAL CHANGES OF CALL

A. Unintended Call

1. If a call is made by a player that was not intended and if it is discovered before partner makes a call, it may be substituted with the intended call. The second (intended) call stands and is subject to the appropriate Law, but the lead restrictions in Law 26 do not apply.
2. If the player’s original intent was to make the call selected or voiced, that call stands.  A change of call may be allowed because of a mechanical error or a slip of the tongue, but not because of a loss of concentration regarding the intent of the action.
3. A player is allowed to replace an unintended call if the conditions described in A1 above are met, no matter how the error came to the player’s attention.
4. No substitution of call may be made when partner has made a subsequent call.
5. If the auction ends before it reaches the player’s partner no substitution may occur after the end of the auction period (see Law 17D).
6. If a substitution is allowed the LHO may withdraw a call made over the first call. Information from the withdrawn call is authorized to this side and unauthorized to the opponents.

B. Call Intended

1. A substituted call not permitted by A may be accepted by the offender’s LHO. (It is accepted if LHO calls intentionally over it.) The first call is then withdrawn, the second call stands and the auction continues (Law 26 may apply).
2. Except as in B1, a substitution not permitted by A is cancelled. The original call stands and the auction continues (Law 26 may apply).
3. Law 16C applies to any call withdrawn or cancelled.

LAW 26 – CALL WITHDRAWN, LEAD RESTRICTIONS

A. No Lead restrictions

When an offending player’s call is withdrawn and it is replaced by a comparable call (see Law 23A), then if that side becomes the defenders there are no lead restrictions. Law 16C does not apply, but see Law 23C.

B. Lead Restrictions

When an offending player’s call is withdrawn and it is not replaced by a comparable call, then if the offender becomes a defender declarer may, at the offender’s partner’s first turn to lead prohibit offender’s partner from leading any (one) suit which has not been specified in the legal auction by the offender.  Such prohibition continues for as long as the offender’s partner retains the lead.

LAW 27 – INSUFFICIENT BID

A. Acceptance of an Insufficient Bid

1. Any insufficient bid may be accepted (treated as legal) at the option of offender’s LHO. It is accepted if that player calls.
2. If a player makes an insufficient bid out of rotation Law 31 applies.

B. Insufficient Bid not Accepted

If an insufficient bid in rotation is not accepted (see A) it must be corrected by the substitution of a legal call (but see 3 following).  Then:

1. (a)if the insufficient bid is corrected by the lowest sufficient bid which specifies the same denomination(s) as that specified by the withdrawn call, the auction proceeds without further rectification. Laws 26B and 16C do not apply but see D following.
   (b) except as in (a), if the insufficient bid is corrected with a comparable call (see Law 23A) the auction proceeds without further rectification. Law 16C does not apply but see D following.
2. except as provided in B1 above, if the insufficient bid is corrected by a sufficient bid or by a pass, the offender’s partner must pass whenever it is their turn to call. The lead restrictions in Law 26B may apply, and see Law 72C.
3. except as provided in B1(b) above, if the offender attempts to substitute a double or a redouble for the insufficient bid the attempted call is cancelled. The offender must replace it as the foregoing allows and partner must then pass at each turn to call. The lead restrictions in Law 26B may apply, and see Law 72C.
4. if the offender attempts to replace the one insufficient bid with another insufficient bid the Director rules as in 3 if the LHO does not accept the substituted insufficient bid as A1 allows.

C. Premature Replacement

If the offender replaces an insufficient bid before the Director has ruled on rectification the substitution, if legal, stands unless the insufficient bid is accepted as A1 allows (but see B3 above).  The Director applies the relevant foregoing section to the substitution.

D. Non-offending Side Damaged

If following the application of B1 the Director judges at the end of the play that without assistance gained through the infraction the outcome of the board could well have been different, and in consequence the non-offending side is damaged (see Law 12B1), an adjusted score shall be awarded.  When making the adjustment, the Director should seek to recover as nearly as possible the probable outcome of the board had the insufficient bid not occurred.

LAW 28 – CALLS CONSIDERED TO BE IN ROTATION

A. RHO Required to Pass

A call is considered to be in rotation when it is made by a player at RHO’s turn to call if that opponent is required by law to pass.

b. Call by Correct Player Cancelling Call Out of Rotation

A call is considered to be in rotation when made by a player whose turn it was to call before rectification has been assessed for a call out of rotation by an opponent.  Making such a call forfeits the right to rectification for the call out of rotation. The auction proceeds as though the opponent had not called at that turn.  Law 26 does not apply, but see Law 16C2.

LAW 29 – PROCEDURE AFTER A CALL OUT OF ROTATION

A. Forfeiture of Right to Rectification

Following a call out of rotation offender’s LHO may elect to call thereby forfeiting the right to any rectification.

B. Out-of-Rotation Call Cancelled

Unless A applies, a call out of rotation is cancelled and the auction reverts to the player whose turn it was to call.  The offending side is subject to the provisions of Laws 30, 31 and 32.

C. Call Out of Rotation is Artificial

If a call out of rotation is artificial, the provisions of Laws 30, 31 and 32 apply to the denomination(s) specified, rather than the denomination named.

LAW 30 – PASS OUT OF ROTATION

When a player has passed out of rotation and the call is cancelled, the option in Law 29A not having been exercised, the following provisions apply (if the pass is artificial see C):

A. RHO’s Turn to Call

When a pass out of rotation is made at offender’s RHO’s turn to call, the offender must pass at the next turn to call and Law 72C may apply.

B. Partner or LHO’s Turn to Call

1. When the offender has passed at partner’s turn to call, or at LHO’s turn to call if the offender has not previously called, then:
   (a) Offender’s partner may make any legal call in proper turn, but Law 16C2 applies.
   (b) Offender may make any legal call in correct turn and:
   (i) When the call is a comparable call (see Law 23A), there is no further rectification.  Law 26B does not apply, but see Law 23C.
   (ii) When the call is not a comparable call (see Law 23A), offender’s partner must pass at their next turn to call.  Laws 16C, 26B and 72C may apply.
2. If the offender has previously called, a pass out of rotation at offender’s LHO’s turn to call is treated as a change of call. Law 25 applies.

C. When Pass is Artificial

When a pass out of rotation is artificial or is a pass of an artificial call, Law 31, not Law 30, applies.

LAW 31 – BID OUT OF ROTATION

When a player has bid out of rotation, has passed artificially or has passed partner’s artificial call (see Law 30C) and the call is cancelled, the option in Law 29A not having been exercised, the following provisions apply:

A. RHO’s Turn to Call

When the offender has called at RHO’s turn to call, then:

1. If that opponent passes, offender must repeat the call out of rotation, and when that call is legal there is no rectification.
2. If that opponent makes a legal[3] bid, double or redouble, offender may make any legal call: (a) When the call is a comparable call (see Law 23A), there is no further rectification.  Law 26B does not apply, but see Law 23C. (b) When the call is not a comparable call (see Law 23A), offender’s partner must pass at their next turn to call.  Laws 16C, 26B and 72C may apply.

B. Partner’s or LHO’s Turn to Call

When the offender has bid at partner’s turn to call, or at LHO’s turn to call if the offender has not previously called, then:

1. Offender’s partner may make any legal call in proper turn, but Law 16C2 applies.
2. Offender may make any legal call in correct turn and the Director rules as in A2(a) or A2(b) above.

C. Later Bids at LHO’s Turn to Call

Later bids at LHO’s turn to call are treated as changes of call and Law 25 applies.

LAW 32 – DOUBLE OR REDOUBLE OUT OF ROTATION

A double or redouble out of rotation may be accepted at the option of the opponent next in rotation (see Law 29A), except that an inadmissible double or redouble (see Law 36) may never be accepted. If the call out of rotation is not accepted it is cancelled and:

A. RHO’s Turn to Call

If a double or redouble out of rotation has been made at offender’s RHO’s turn to call, then:

1. If offender’s RHO passes, offender must repeat the out-of-rotation double or redouble and there is no rectification unless the double or redouble is inadmissible, in which case Law 36 applies.
2. If offender’s RHO bids, doubles or redoubles, the offender may in turn make any legal call: (a)When the call is a comparable call (see Law 23A), there is no further rectification. Law 26B does not apply, but see Law 23C. (b) When the call is not a comparable call (see Law 23A), offender’s partner must pass at their next turn to call. Laws 16C, 26B and 72C may apply.

B. Offender’s Partner’s Turn to Call

If a double or redouble out of rotation has been made when it was the offender’s partner’s turn to call, then:

1. Offender’s partner may make any legal call, but Law 16C2 applies.
2. Offender may make any legal call in proper turn and the Director rules as in A2(a) or A2(b) above.

C. Later Calls at LHO’s Turn to Call

Later calls at LHO’s turn to call are treated as changes of call and Law 25 applies.

LAW 33 – SIMULTANEOUS CALLS

A call made simultaneously with one made by the player whose turn it was to call is deemed to be a subsequent call.

LAW 34 – RETENTION OF RIGHT TO CALL

When following a call there have been three consecutive passes, one or more being out of rotation, Law 17D3 applies.

LAW 35 – INADMISSIBLE CALLS

The following calls are inadmissible:

A.  A double or redouble not permitted by Law 19. Law 36 applies.

B.  A bid, double or redouble by a player required to pass. Law 37 applies.

C.  A bid of more than seven. Law 38 applies.

D.  A call after the final pass of the auction. Law 39 applies.

LAW 36 – INADMISSIBLE DOUBLES AND REDOUBLES

A. Offender’s LHO Calls before Rectification

If offender’s LHO calls before rectification of an inadmissible double or redouble the inadmissible call and all subsequent calls are cancelled. The auction reverts to the player whose turn it was to call and proceeds as though there had been no irregularity. The lead restrictions in Law 26B do not apply.

B. Offender’s Partner does not Call Before Rectification

When A does not apply:

1. any double or redouble not permitted by Law 19 is cancelled. 
2. the offender must substitute a legal call, the auction continues, and the offender’s partner must pass at every turn to call.
3. Law 72C may apply. The lead restrictions in Law 26B may apply.
4. if the call is out of turn the auction reverts to the player whose turn it was to call, the offender may make any legal call in turn, and partner must pass at every turn to call. Law 72C may apply. The lead restrictions in Law Law 26B may apply.

C. Irregularity Discovered after the Auction Period

When attention is drawn to an inadmissible double or redouble only after the opening lead has been faced, the final contract is scored as if the inadmissible call had not been made.

LAW 37 – ACTION VIOLATING OBLIGATION TO PASS

A. Offender’s LHO Calls before Rectification

If the inadmissible call was a bid or a double or redouble by a player required by law to pass (but not an action contrary to Law 19A1 or Law 19B1) and offender’s LHO calls before the Director has ruled on rectification, that call and all subsequent calls stand. An offender required to pass for the remainder of the auction must still pass at subsequent turns. The lead restrictions in Law 26B do not apply. 

B. Offender’s LHO does not Call before Rectification

When A does not apply:

1. any bid, double or redouble, by a player required by law to pass is cancelled.
2. a pass is substituted, the auction continues and each member of the offending side must pass at every turn to call. Law 72C may apply. The lead restrictions in Law Law 26B may apply.

LAW 38 – BID OF MORE THAN SEVEN

A. No Play Permissible

No play of a contract of more than seven is ever permissible.

B. Bid and Subsequent Calls Cancelled

A bid of more than seven is cancelled together with any subsequent calls.

C. Offending Side Must Pass

A pass must be substituted; the auction continues unless completed and each member of the offending side must pass at every turn to call.

D. Possible Lack of Recourse to Laws 26B and 72C

Law 72C may apply and the lead restrictions in Law 26B may apply, except that if the offender’s LHO had called subsequent to the infraction and before rectification there is no recourse to these Laws.

LAW 39 – CALL AFTER THE FINAL PASS

A. Calls Cancelled

All calls after the final pass of the auction are cancelled.

B. Pass by Defender or Any Call by Declaring Side

If offender’s LHO calls before rectification, or if the infraction is a pass by a defender or any call by the future declarer or dummy, then there is no further rectification.

C. Other Action by Defender

If offender’s LHO has not called subsequent to the infraction and the infraction is a bid, double or redouble by a defender, then the lead restrictions in Law 26B may apply.

LAW 40 – PARTNERSHIP UNDERSTANDINGS

A. Players’ Systemic Agreements

1. (a) Partnership understandings as to the methods adopted by a partnership may be reached explicitly in discussion or implicitly through mutual experience or awareness of the players.
   (b) Each partnership has a duty to make its partnership understandings available to its opponents. The Regulating Authority specifies the manner in which this is done.
2. Information conveyed to partner through such understandings must arise from the calls, plays and conditions of the current deal. Each player is entitled to take into account the legal auction and, subject to any exclusions in these laws, any cards seen. Any information specified elsewhere in these laws as authorized may also be used. (See Law 73C.)
3. A player may make any call or play without prior announcement provided that such call or play is not based on an undisclosed partnership understanding (see Law 40C1).
4. The agreed meaning of a call or play shall not alter by reference to the member of the partnership by whom it is made (this requirement does not restrict style and judgement, only method).

B. Special Partnership Understandings

1. (A) An agreement between partners, whether explicit or implicit, is a partnership understanding.
   (b) In its discretion the Regulating Authority may designate certain partnership understandings as ‘special partnership understandings’. A special partnership understanding is one whose meaning, in the opinion of the Regulating Authority, may not be readily understood and anticipated by a significant number of players in the tournament.
   (c) Unless the Regulating Authority decides otherwise, any call that has an artificial meaning constitutes a special partnership understanding.
2. (a) The Regulating Authority:
        (i) is empowered without restriction to allow, disallow, or allow conditionally, any special partnership understanding.
       (ii) may prescribe a System Card, with or without supplementary sheets, for the prior listing of a partnership’s understandings, and regulate its use.
       (iii) may prescribe alerting procedures and/or other methods of disclosure of a partnership’s methods.
        (iv) may disallow prior agreement by a partnership to vary its understandings during the auction or play following an irregularity committed by the opponents.
       (v) may restrict the use of psychic artificial calls.
   (b) Unless the Regulating Authority provides otherwise no player may consult their own system card between the commencement of the auction period and the end of play, except that players of the declaring side (only) may consult their own system card during the Clarification Period.
   (c) Unless the Regulating Authority provides otherwise a player may consult an opponent’s system card:
        (i)prior to the commencement of the auction,
       (ii) during the Clarification Period,
       (iii) during the auction and during the play but only at their turn to call or play, and
       (iv) following an opponent’s request for an explanation, pursuant to Law 20F, for the purpose of correctly explaining the significance of partner’s call or play.
   (d) Unless the Regulating Authority provides otherwise a player is not entitled to any aids to memory, calculation or technique during the auction period and play.
3. (a) A side that is damaged as a consequence of its opponents’ failure to provide disclosure of the meaning of a call or play, as these laws require, is entitled to rectification through the award of an adjusted score.
   (b) Repeated violations of requirements to disclose partnership understandings may be penalized.
4. When a side is damaged by an opponent’s use of a special partnership understanding that does not comply with the regulations governing the tournament the score shall be adjusted. A side in breach of those regulations may be subject to a procedural penalty.
5. (a) When explaining the significance of partner’s call or play in reply to an opponent’s enquiry (see Law 20) a player shall disclose all special information conveyed through partnership agreement or partnership experience but need not disclose inferences drawn from knowledge and experience of matters generally known to bridge players.
   (b) The Director adjusts the score if information not given in an explanation is crucial for an opponent’s choice of action and the opponent is thereby damaged.

C. Deviation from System and Psychic Action    

1. A player may deviate from announced understandings, provided that partner has no more reason than the opponents to be aware of the deviation [but see B2(a)(v) above]. Repeated deviations lead to implicit understandings which then form part of the partnership’s methods and must be disclosed in accordance with the regulations governing disclosure of system. If the Director judges there is undisclosed knowledge that has damaged the opponents, the score shall be adjusted and a procedural penalty may be assessed.
2. Other than in C1 above, no player, after deviating from announced methods, is obliged to disclose this to the opponents.

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[1] Declarer’s first turn to play is from dummy unless accepting an opening lead out of turn.

[2] Unless that player is required by law to pass.