[blml] Borderline rulings

[Guthrie]

[Tim West-Meads]
> OK, I'll give it a try.
> The rule references "weaker than Ro18", the
> context being that different
> forms of hand evaluation are permitted.
> By my judgement the weakest Ro18 hand is
> QJ,QJ,K432,65432
> (the K&R evaluator calls this a 6.4).
> K97432,J963,65,6 equates to 6.2 while
> K98432,J963,65,6 rates a 6.5.
> I apologise for not being able to find
> hands that hinge on a 6/5 distinction.
> In reality I doubt that anyone systemically
> opens hands "weaker than Ro18" so the
> difference probably won't matter.  I would
> accept different borderlines from players
> whose evaluation methods I considered
> "reasonable".  Just because I'm comfortable
> with the way K&R scores doesn't make it the
> only possible metric.  FWIW
> KQJT92,QT97,T95,- (also Ro18) equates to 12.5
> - giving some indication as to why I think
> the R018 in isolation is inadequate as an
> evaluation method.

[nige1]
Thanks Tim. That is exactly the kind of example
needed. Such examples (perhaps including brief
tutorials on the dozen most popular legally
acceptable evaluation methods) would help a player
a lot if he wants his 3rd in hand openings to
comply with the Delphic recommendations of the new
Orange book.

To me, it seems the director may still have a
problem when an expert swears by some esoteric new
evaluation method (For instance, David Burn's
tongue-in-cheek contention that "In my experience
'85' combinations are worth a lot of tricks.")

Most would prefer that "Rule of x" restrictions
(especially in their current nebulous form) be
expunged from the Orange book; but while they
remain, such examples as yours are essential so
that...
(i) Players can comply with the law.
(ii) Players know when to call the director. and
(iii) Directors can rule consistently.