White Book Extract Accommodating Disabled Players

2.1 Principles

Disabled players are welcome at EBU tournaments. Occasionally they will have difficulty with the mechanics of the game as normally played. The following regulations are intended to assist when difficulties arise. They apply in all EBU tournaments, and other Tournament Organisers are encouraged to adopt them to apply in their tournaments.

2.1.1 General

2.1.2.1. If it is impracticable for these regulations to be followed in whole or in part, the TD is authorised to specify the manner in which the bidding and play shall proceed.
2.1.2.2. Players requiring stationary positions, strong lighting, pre-sorted cards or any other special assistance are requested to notify their needs in advance when entering tournaments, and arrangements will be made for the TDs on site to deal with the practical arrangements.
2.1.2.3. The L&EC has formally given the DIC the authority to modify any regulation if considered appropriate to accommodate a player with a disability. Other Tournament Organisers are encouraged to give their DICs the same authority.
2.1.2.4. In the case of a match played privately, the same principles apply. For example, if a player requires longer breaks between stanzas because of a medical condition, the L&EC believe that the opposing captain should be informed in advance and should be prepared for such breaks.

2.1.3 Sorted hands

The TD may arrange that a player receives their hands sorted, for example by asking the corresponding player at the table passing the boards to sort their hand, when returning it to the board.

2.1.4 Commencing play

Any player is entitled to require that the dealer and vulnerability be stated at the commencement of each board.

2.1.5 Bidding

2.1.5.1. Bidding boxes are to be used where this is possible.
2.1.5.2. If the use of bidding boxes by one or more players is not possible, then all players should call their own bids (where this is possible).
2.1.5.3. The opponents of any player unable to use a bidding box have the option to require that bidding boxes are used in addition to spoken bids, in which case the bidding box of the player unable to use it should be operated by one of the opponents.

2.1.6 Play

2.1.6.1. When all players except dummy can see cards played normally, play continues as normal.
2.1.6.2. When a player, other than dummy, is unable to see cards played normally, then (subject to the option in #141.4.3) all players are to call their own cards as played.
2.1.6.3. The opponents of a player unable to see cards played normally have the option to require that all cards (but not the cards of one or more players to the exclusion of the others) are called by dummy as played.
2.1.6.4. Cards must be named in full and in a consistent manner.