When is a card deemed to be played?

A card is played by declarer when it is held touching or nearly touching the table or when declarer makes it clear it is played or when s/he places it on the table. A dropped card need not be played. When declarer picks up a card from dummy (which s/he should not since s/he is meant to call for a card from dummy not touch them, unless dummy is incapable of playing them for medical or other reasons) it is considered played. If declarer touches a card then it must be played unless s/he is rearranging the dummy or attempting to play a card behind the card s/he is touching. When declarer calls for a card from dummy then it must be played unless the call was inadvertent and the declarer meant another card. Such a decision would normally be made by the director. When a defender takes a card out of his/her hand and it is in a position where his/her partner could see it if s/he was looking then it must be played. A dropped card if face up must be played except there are special rules when two or more cards are apparently played.