Four cards so played, one from each hand in rotation, consti­tute a trick. The first card played to a trick is a lead.

The leader to a trick may lead any card. The other three hands must follow suit if they can, but, if unable to follow suit, may play any card.

Opening Lead: Facing the Dummy Hand: The defender on declarer's left makes the first lead. Dummy then spreads his hand in front of him, face up, grouped in suits with the trumps at his right.

Winning of Tricks: A trick con­taining a trump is won by the hand playing the highest trump. A trick not containing a trump is won by the hand playing the highest card of the suit led. The winner of each trick leads to the next.

Dummy: Declarer plays both his and dummy's cards, but each in proper turn. Dummy may reply to a proper question, but may not com­ment or take an active part in the play; except that he may call atten­tion to an irregularity and may warn declarer against revoking (as by say­ing, if declarer fails to follow suit in a spade lead, "No spades, partner?").

Played Card: Declarer plays a card from his own hand when he places it on the table or names it as an in­tended play; from dummy, when he touches it (except to arrange dummy's cards) or names it. A defender plays a card when he exposes it, with ap­parent intent to play, so that his partner can see its face. A card once played may not be withdrawn, ex­cept to correct a revoke or to comply with a penalty.

Taking in Tricks Won: A com­pleted trick is gathered and turned face down on the table. Declarer, and the partner of the defender win­ning the first trick for his side, should keep in front of him all tricks won by his side, so arranged that it is apparent how many tricks that side has won, and the sequence in which they were won.

Claim or Concession of Tricks by Declarer: If declarer claims or con­cedes one or more of the remaining tricks, or otherwise suggests that play be curtailed: Play should cease, and declarer, with his hand face up on the table, should forthwith make any statement necessary to indicate his intended line of play. If both de­fenders concede, play ceases and de­clarer is considered to have won the tricks claimed. If a defender disputes declarer's claim-see page 249.

Claim or Concession of Tricks by a Defender: To claim or concede any part of the remaining tricks, a defender should show his hand, or part of it, to declarer only. A de­fender's concession is not valid un­less his partner also concedes.

Trick Conceded in Error: The concession of a trick which can not be lost by any play of the cards is void.