Things to know about Duplicate Bridge

A hand is limited to 10 minutes in most novice games. As you get more experienced you get less time to play the hand. Most open games you get around 7 minutes to play each hand. You do tend to play 2 or 3 boards at the same time so a 2 board round is about 15 minutes and a 3 board round is about 21-22. The director can call the round early if everyone is done.

Count your cards when you take them out of the slot. Everyone should do this. Just because 3 people have 13 cards does not mean the 4th person will. The card could be lying on the floor.

At any point in the bidding process you may turn to the PARTNER of the person who made a bid and ask what the bid means. The PARTNER should tell you what they know about the hand rather than what the bid is called.
(Don’t say “That’s a Jacoby Transfer” – say “that forces me to say 2 Hearts – they have at least a 5 card Heart suit.”)
It is perfectly acceptable to say “I have no idea what that bid means!” (if you truly don’t!) Another way to say this is “We have not yet discussed this auction.”

When you make your opening lead place it face DOWN at the table and say “Any questions, Partner?” They can now ask about the bidding. Once you place your card on the table you are not supposed to change it. If you want to ask about bidding do so BEFORE you make your lead.