LAW 44 - SEQUENCE AND PROCEDURE OF PLAY

  1. Lead to a Trick
    The player who leads to a trick may play any card in his hand (unless he is subject to restriction after an irregularity committed by his side).
  2. Subsequent Plays to a Trick
    After the lead, each other player in turn plays a card, and the four cards so played constitute a trick. (For the method of playing cards and arranging tricks see Laws 45 and 65 respectively.)
  3. Requirement to Follow Suit
    In playing to a trick, each player must follow suit if possible. This obligation takes precedence over all other requirements of these Laws.
  4. Inability to Follow Suit
    If unable to follow suit, a player may play any card (unless he is subject to restriction after an irregularity committed by his side).
  5. Tricks Containing Trumps
    A trick containing a trump is won by the player who has contributed to it the highest trump.
  6. Tricks Not Containing Trumps
    A trick that does not contain a trump is won by the player who has contributed to it the highest card of the suit led.
  7. Lead to Tricks Subsequent to First Trick
    The lead to the next trick is from the hand in which the last trick was won.