[blml] Amnesia

[Tim West-Meads]

Sven wrote:

> Well Tim, I read this to say that what you really want is a double 
> shot!

Then you read it wrongly

> You apparently want to see the outcome of the board before you as NOS 
> decide whether you should have taken some different action when it
> became clear that misinformation had been given?

No, I want to either accept or decline the OLOOT, play the hand out, and 
receive protection from the TD if either infraction by opponents causes 
me damage.
 
> Backing up the auction (within certain limits) is the best tool we 
> have to save a board after misinformation. 

In normal circumstances it is often useful, of course it doesn't help if 
the misinformation would have affected an earlier bid than the final 
call by NOS.

> The fact that a card has been 
> exposed from presumed declarer or dummy does not in any way reduce
> the value or availability of this tool. 

It compromises it.  As TD what are you going tell NOS?
Perhaps
a)  Any change of call you make must be based on the MI you received - 
it is UI to you that South will be barred for one round, that opps may 
be subject to penalty card restrictions if you become declaring side, 
and that North possess the SK.
Or maybe:
b) You have the option to change your call - when making that decision 
you should take into account that..(same things)..and if you fail to 
judge correctly the impact of these things in making your decision you 
will receive no redress.

I don't want to debate whether the stuff is UI or AI because whichever 
one decides you are putting NOS into difficult and unfamiliar territory 
after a double infraction by their opponents.
I know good players will often handle it OK but average punters will 
feel mind-blown by the situation.

Basically my primary concern here is to protect NOS.  So I rule "It's an 
OLOOT, and I'll handle it as such even the though laws are bit 
inadequate."

I see your priority as trying to protect "the proper result".  Again the 
laws are bit inadequate but you can achieve what you want by ruling 
"It's not an opening lead" and going from there.

Perhaps the standard of players would influence which approach I would 
consider best in any given situation but given the ambiguity in law (and 
absent specific NA/SO regulation) I respect the right of a TD to take 
either approach.

Tim