[blml] Amnesia

[Tim West-Meads]

Sven wrote:

> But the auction wasn't over! The auction period ends when the opening 
> lead is faced

In the case we have been discussing the *auction* was most definitely 
over.  The *auction period* was not.  The two are different things with 
the period starting before the actually auction and continuing after the 
end of the auction.  The laws, IMO, are sometimes careless in using one 
when they have intended the other.

I note that Sven has, effectively, mentally inserted the word "period" 
into Law24.  Perhaps this is right, but let us go back in time a bit.

South, West and East have removed their cards, counted them and started 
to sort their hands - the auction *period* has begun for both sides 
(L17A).  North, the dealer, is running a bit behind - when he attempts 
to remove his cards one or more is exposed (assume they were boxed by 
the previous player or "sprung-loaded" into a faulty board and flip 
out).  Ok it's a result of North trying to remove the hand but it is not 
his fault.

Do we use L24 because the *auction period* has begun - or do we use 
Law6D1 because the *auction* has not yet begun?

L24 seems extremely harsh on player who has done nothing wrong.

Tim