Bridge: Usage of the stop card

Question

The STOP card in bridge is used in order to help all players keep their rights, as far as thinking is concerned. However I have some questions.

1. When do we have to use the STOP card. Should STOP be used before ANY jump bid? I find logic to use stop in bids like 1S-3S or 1H-(2S). But how about 1NT-3NT. What is the official rule?

2. The second question is about HOW to use the stop card. Here are some options.

   1. This is what i think that should happen

      • Show STOP card
      • make your bid
      • Remove stop card (no waiting)
      • (opponent waits 5-8 seconds)
      • opponent makes his bid

   2. This is what most people think that should happen

      • Show STOP card
      • make your bid
      • wait 5-8 seconds
      • Remove stop card
      • opponent makes his bid

Which one is the official way according to the rules?

The reason why I think that the second option is not "correct", is because the player who used the STOP could wait 10-20 (or more) seconds before removing it. What should the opponent do?

Answer 1

The answer to your first question is that you should use it either for all skip bids, or for no skip bid. Using it only for some skip bids but not for others could result in a director call and a procedural penalty against you for intentionally transmitting unauthorized information to your partner.

As to your second question: option 1 is correct under the jurisdiction of the ACBL (ie essentially all games in the US and Canada), while option 2 is correct under the jurisdiction of the WBF (essentially all other games).