Everyone passes: what now?

When all four players pass and no contract is taken, the deal is void and you redeal.

The rule: no contract, no play

To play a deal, at least one team must take a contract (80 minimum). If all four players pass in a row on the first round, nobody commits and there is nothing to play. The deal is said to be "passed" or void.

You redeal

The cards are gathered and shuffled, then dealt again. Most commonly the next dealer (the player to the left of the previous one) takes over, as if the deal had run normally. Some tables prefer the same dealer to redeal: agree on this beforehand.

No points are scored

Nobody scores: the running total stays the same. It's simply a reset of the deal, with no penalty, just a little lost time. That's often why a player with a decent hand will take at 80 rather than risk a redeal. Your call, though: taking at 80 on a mediocre hand is still a gamble, and a redeal might hand you a far better hand.

See also

FAQ

What happens if everyone passes?

The deal is void and you redeal: the cards are gathered, shuffled and dealt again. No points are scored.

Who redeals when all players pass?

Most often the next dealer, the player to the left of the previous one. Some tables have the same player redeal.