What does the Director do in bridge?
A · Advanced · Ethics and the Director · 6 of 6When attention is drawn to an irregularity, the Director should be called at once, and players should wait for the ruling. The Director alone decides rectification, can award adjusted scores to redress damage and may give procedural or disciplinary penalties. A ruling can be appealed within 30 minutes of the official score being available.
How it works
- Call the Director: at once, after attention is drawn to an irregularity.
- Wait: take no action until the Director explains the options.
- Rectification: decided by the Director alone, not the players.
- Adjusted score: to restore the likely result had the infraction not happened.
- Artificial score: average plus (60 per cent) or minus (40) when no result is possible; plus or minus 3 IMPs.
- Procedural penalties: for lateness, slow play, loud discussion, wrong pockets and so on.
- Discipline: points, suspension or, with approval, disqualification.
- Appeal: within 30 minutes, through the Director; both partners or the captain must agree.
The glossary has the Director, the rectification, the adjusted score, the artificial adjusted score, the procedural penalty and the right to appeal.
Tricky cases
The opponents fix an irregularity themselves without calling the Director. Is that allowed?
No. Players may not set or waive rectifications on their own; the Director may cancel what they did.
A side makes a wild gamble after an infraction and loses. Do they get redress?
Not for self-inflicted damage from a serious error or gamble.
Can my partner and I appeal separately?
No. In a pairs event both partners must agree to appeal.
What is average plus at IMPs?
Plus 3 IMPs.
Why the rule exists
A neutral official keeps players from settling disputes themselves. Adjustments aim to restore the board, not to punish, so the innocent side is made whole.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Pairs | Average plus 60 per cent | Law 12C2 |
| Teams | Plus or minus 3 IMPs | Law 12C2(b) |
| No appeals committee | The Director hears the appeal | Law 93A |
From the rule book
World Bridge Federation, The Laws of Duplicate Bridge 2017, Laws 9 to 12, 81, 90 to 93. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the WBF Laws of Duplicate Bridge 2017.