What is the proper way to handle errant play (aka “reneging”?
OK, so while an incorrect play could be deliberate cheating, let’s give the poor player the benefit of the doubt for now and assume it’s an honest mistake. For example, say a trick is started with spades and one of the players trumps the trick with a diamond even though they’ve got a spade in their hand as well. A few tricks later, they play the spade, and one of the other players points out the mistake. What to do? Although there isn’t one sure-fire “right” answer, probably the most technically correct response is to declare the hand compromised, and re-deal the hand. However, a good general principle is that the wronged party chooses the penalty. We don’t want people deliberately ‘screwing up’ just to void the hand and hopefully get a better deal next time. So, if a player on Team A is caught in an error of play, then Team B can ask for one of three options: • Continue playing the hand as is. • Re-deal the hand. • If the error was caught quickly enough, “un-play” the last trick or tw
