The Bridge Centre/Reference

Bidding Slips and Bidding Boxes

At the club, the auction is usually silent: you show your call instead of saying it. This card covers the two ways to do that, writing on a bidding slip and using a bidding box, so every call is clear, private from the next table, and easy to review.

Three ways to make a call

Spoken

Say it out loud

Fine at home. Use the exact words only: “One heart”, “Pass”, “Double”, “Redouble”. Nothing else, and keep your tone even. At a club, the next table can hear you.

Written

Bidding slips

Calls are written on a pad or printed slip. Used in lessons, at some smaller clubs, and when bidding boxes aren't available.

Club standard

Bidding box

Every player has a box of printed cards. You take out the card for your call and put it on the table. Quick, silent and tidy.

Bidding slips

Method 1: one shared auction sheet

  1. Put one slip in the middle of the table. Write N E S W across the top and mark the dealer.
  2. The dealer writes the first call in their own column. Everyone else writes in their column, in turn, clockwise.
  3. Leave a column blank for the seats before the dealer in the first row, so each call lines up under the right player.
  4. After three passes in a row (or four passes at the start), rule a line under the auction.
  5. Leave the sheet face up until the opening lead, so anyone can check the auction.

Example: dealer North

N ★ESW
1♥1♠2♥P
PP

Contract: 2♥ by North, the first player on the North–South side to name hearts. East makes the opening lead (the player on declarer's left).

If East were dealer, the first row would start in the E column and N would be left blank.

Method 2: your own slip

  1. Each player has their own pad or slip.
  2. On your turn, write your call and place it face up in front of you, or turn it towards the table so all three players can read it.
  3. Leave your calls in order in front of you (or keep a running list on your slip) until the opening lead.

Your club or teacher will tell you which method they use. When in doubt, ask the Director.

How to write each call

1♣
Level first, then the suit. Letters are fine: 1C, 2D, 3H, 4S.
3NT
No Trumps: write NT.
P
Pass. Some players write “–” or “Pass”.
X
Double.
XX
Redouble.

Write plainly and the same way every time. No underlining, circling, question marks or comments. If you write a wrong call, don't cross it out: call the Director.

Inside a bidding box

The two compartments

Bid cards stand in order from 1♣ up to 7NT, with only the top edge showing. Several Pass cards, a few Doubles and Redoubles, then the Stop and Alert cards.

The cards

Colours vary a little between makers, but Pass is almost always green, Double red and Redouble blue.

Using the bidding box

Making a call

  1. Decide first. Choose your call before your hand goes near the box.
  2. Take out the card. Put a finger on the card you want and lift it out cleanly. (Many players take it with the cards in front of it, so the stack stays neat.)
  3. Place it on the table in front of you, face up and squared towards the centre.
  4. Overlap later calls. Each new card slightly overlaps your last one, so all your calls stay visible in order.
  5. Leave every card out until the opening lead is made. Then everyone puts their cards back in the right slots.

A call counts as made once the card has left the box with clear intent. If you pulled the wrong card by accident, call the Director straight away, before partner calls.

What the table looks like

Same auction as the slip above: N 1♥, E 1♠, S 2♥, W Pass, N Pass, E Pass. Read clockwise from the dealer to follow the auction.

Alert card

When partner makes a call with an unusual or artificial meaning, take out the Alert card, show it to both opponents, and put it back.

You never alert your own call. An opponent who wants to know the meaning asks at their turn; you explain the agreement, not what you think partner holds. Your club will tell you which calls need alerting.

Stop card

Before a jump bid (skipping a level, such as 1♥ then 3♠), put the Stop card on the table, then your bid, then return the Stop card.

The next player should wait about 10 seconds and look as though they are thinking, even with an easy pass. That way a slow call doesn't give anything away. Some clubs make the Stop card optional.

End of the auction

  • The auction ends after three passes in a row once anyone has bid. If all four players pass, the board is passed out: re-shuffle at home, or move on at the club.
  • Before the lead, either defender or declarer may ask for the auction to be reviewed. The cards on the table do this for you.
  • The player on declarer's left makes the opening lead face down (club practice in Australia). Partner asks any questions, then the lead is turned up.
  • Once the lead is faced, pick up your bidding cards and return them to the box in the correct places, ready for the next board.

Good habits

Do

  • Wait for the player on your right to finish before you reach for the box.
  • Keep a steady tempo, roughly the same speed for easy and hard calls.
  • Place cards neatly so everyone can read them.
  • Return the cards to the right slots after the lead, Pass cards to the back.
  • Call the Director for any mistake. It's normal and nobody minds.

Don't

  • Hover over the box, finger the cards or change your mind half-way.
  • Slap a card down, or place it slowly to send a message.
  • Say your call as well as showing it.
  • Touch partner's or opponents' bidding cards.
  • Put your cards away before the opening lead has been faced.