What happens after an insufficient bid in bridge?
A · Advanced · Irregularities · 1 of 6A bid lower than the last one is insufficient. The next player may accept it by calling over it. If not, the offender corrects it. Raising it to the lowest sufficient bid in the same denomination, or making a call with the same meaning, costs nothing more; most other corrections force partner to pass for the rest of the auction.
How it works
- Accepted: the next player calls over it; it stands.
- Lowest sufficient bid, same denomination: no further rectification.
- Comparable call: a call with the same or narrower meaning; no further rectification.
- Other corrections: partner must pass at every turn; lead restrictions may apply.
- Call out of turn: cancelled unless the next player calls over it.
- Unintended call: may be changed until partner calls, if it was a slip.
- Damage: the Director may adjust if the corrected auction helped the offenders.
- Director: call them before acting.
The glossary has the insufficient bid, the call out of rotation, the comparable call, the change of call, the call and the rectification.
Tricky cases
A player meant to bid 1 spade but pulled out 1 heart. Can they change it?
Yes, if it was a mechanical slip and partner has not called yet.
The next player bids over an insufficient bid without noticing. What happens?
The insufficient bid is accepted and stands.
Can a player who changed their mind change their call?
No. A change is allowed for a slip, not for a change of thought.
Can the offender correct with a double?
Not normally. Unless the double is a comparable call, it is cancelled, a legal call must replace it and partner must pass throughout.
Why the rule exists
The rules let honest slips be fixed without handing the offenders an advantage. Silencing partner stops the offending side using the error to exchange information.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest sufficient, same suit | No rectification | Law 27B1(a) |
| Comparable call | No rectification | Law 27B1(b); Law 23 |
| Other corrections | Partner passes throughout | Law 27B2 |
From the rule book
World Bridge Federation, The Laws of Duplicate Bridge 2017, Laws 23, 25 to 31. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the WBF Laws of Duplicate Bridge 2017.