[blml] hesitation, less than 20 seconds

[Adam Beneschan]

Laszlo wrote:
 
> Teams, screens are used
> E/NS
> 
> 2.....................................AK3
> AK5...............................Q9
> AJ983.............................KT7542
> AJ92...............................K4
> 
> EW playing a relay system, their 1NT open is 12-16 4333, 4432 or 5332 
> (with minor) are the only possible distributions on 1st/2nd places. If 
> 12, then good 12, if 16 then denies 4card Major. East did not forget the 
> system, he explains the bidding (not his hand) correctly to his 
> screenmate. the bidding went on:
> 
> .......1N (12-16)
> 2C..2N (FG relay; any 4333)
> 3C..3D (relay, like Baron; exactly 3343)
> 4D..4H (declares diamonds as trumpsuit and optional rkc; good hand for 
> diamond slam)
> 4S..5H (rkc; 2 keycard and the Q of trumps (maybe additonal length in 
> trumps but now he had bidden exactli 4 card suit))
> 6D..? (to play)
> 
> At this moment the tray came back after a real tempobreak (West 
> hesitated a little before the 6 diamonds), but about 10 to 15 seconds 
> only. All the players agree the facts above. East bid 7D (TD!). What's 
> your decision as TD or as AC?

The same decision as I'd make if EW were playing a very boring
standard American system and had a hesitation Blackwood auction:
Adjust to 6D making 7 and shoot East.

This is how I'd decide regardless of what system they were playing.
East's action is even more reprehensible here because he knows next to
nothing about West's hand, and has no bridge reason, other than the
hesitation, to believe that West has all the missing keycards.

                                -- Adam