[blml] Clubbed Queen

[Sven Pran]

> On Behalf Of Tim West-Meads
> Sven wrote:
> 
> > >       Q85
> > >       -
> > >       -
> > >       98
> > >           -
> > > immat     xx
> > >           x
> > >           Qx
> > >
> > >         Jx
> > >         x
> > >         x
> > >         T
> > >
> > > Please tell me what you think is the best line for the contract?
> > > Hint: nothing ethical is going to work.
> > >
> > > If, as TD, you do nothing to protect players from such Alcatraz
> > > positions you allow the cheats to walk all over the game
> >
> > I see no possibility for an Alcatraz coup here?
> 
> Call for the "five of clubs".  Partner will co-operate by reaching* for
> (but not actually putting in the played position) the C9 and RHO will
> play the Q slightly prematurely.  Nothing ventured, nothing gained.  As
> with other Alcatraz-type positions there's no guarantee of success but
> some chance is better than none at all.
> 
> *My Alcatraz-like opponents are slightly more on the ball than Richard's
> (linguistic variations may make different card combinations slightly
> more/less effective - thus in German it works a bit better to call for
> the six and have partner select (but not play) the 8.
> 
> And yes it is fairly common in my games to play on the call of the card
> rather than dummy's execution - to hesitate may give UI to partner, AI
> to declarer or be misleading if one holds a singleton.

Without ascertaining that the called card is available in Dummy so that
L46B4 does not apply? That is only too bad for the opponent who just
violated L74B1.

If Dummy takes any action whatsoever indicating that he is selecting a
particular card in response to something declarer says I rule that he is
actually "playing" that card. It is not uncommon in the environments where I
use to come that Dummy (when Declarer calls a card) sometimes for instance
just puts a finger on the card Declarer has called in order to mark that
card as the card played (without really "moving" it). I see no problem with
that.

In the case we are discussing Dummy has not taken any action of any kind.
Then when declarer's call is void no card has been played from Dummy.

Sven