[blml] 25 something ?

[Sven Pran]

> On Behalf Of Jean-Jacques Lafay
> Here is what happened yesterday (Teams, high level but played in clubs
> with no director immediately available, although one can be reached by
> phone if necessary).
> 
> 2D   -    2S   -
> 3S   -    4S   -
> 4NT  -    5C   -
> 5D   X    -    -
> ??
> 
> not that it matters very much, but here is the meaning :
> 
> 2D was (french style) forcing to game, 2S showed a major Ace, 3S
> natural, 4S a fit but nothing else interesting to mention, 4NT asked
> about kings, 5C showed (as expected) none, 5D was a further enquiry,
> probably related to the SQ, pass over the double of 5D denied anything
> else of even remote value.
> 
> The trouble is that opener did not notice LHO's double and thought that
> responder had a (very) blind spot and had passed 5D ! So he was under
> the impression that the auction was over, and that he was playing 5D. He
> therefore removed his bidding cards, which is of course normally viewed
> as meaning "pass". As a matter of fact, he is (as the vast majority of
> players) unaware of the various possibilities where a "call" can be
> changed, he did not try to change anything when he realized he was
> actually playing in 5D *doubled*, went 3 down for a loss of 14IMPs (6S
> was on thanks to the 2-2 split, but was not bid at the other table).
> 
> I was wondering what the ruling should be if the player had tried to do
> something when he realized what was going on : he did not really called
> (he did not even know he had to call !), so if we judge that removing
> the bidding card is a "pass", then it should be inadvertent, although
> not a "slip of the hand", shouldn't it ?

Law 21A: A player has no recourse if he has made a call on the basis of his
own misunderstanding.

I would rule that he passed and that his pass was NOT inadvertent, it was
based on his own misunderstanding, and that's it.

Although removing the bidding cards for an assumed final pass is incorrect
procedure, it is so commonly used that I shall not accept the technical
argument to the effect that the player doing so did not intend to pass if it
was his turn to call.

If he becomes aware of his mistake before the opening lead is made I would
allow him a Law 25B change of call {it will probably be L25B2(b)2, after
which he cannot receive a score greater than average minus}.

Regards Sven