[blml] hesitation, less than 20 seconds

[Adam Beneschan]

Richard Hills wrote:
 
> Adam Beneschan:
> 
> >Unfortunately, the CoC paragraph that Laszlo mentions doesn't refer
> >to this guideline at all:
> >
> >"Law 16 - During the auction, when playing with screens, a breach of
> >tempo may be identified by the slowness or speed with which the tray
> >is returned.  The players who receive the tray are the ones who can
> >speak to any abnormality.  Consequently it is an infraction if a
> >player on the side of the screen where the breach occurred is the
> >first to draw attention to it and the player forfeits for his side
> >its non-offending status.  It is not considered that a delay of some
> >20 seconds is sufficient to convey unauthorized information."
> 
> Richard Hills:
> 
> The above paragraph is on page 20 of the WBF CoC.  But on page 21...
> 
> WBF General Conditions of Contest, 25(e), fourth dot point, page 21:
> 
> "Law 73D - During the auction period, after an opponent has acted
> quickly, it is proper to adjust the tempo back to normal by either
> delaying one's own call (place the bidding card faced, in front of,
> but not on, the tray) or by waiting before passing the tray. Further
> delay is allowed to randomise the movement of the tray."

Hmmm.  Most likely, as I understand the story, N-S have acted quickly
throughout the whole auction.  West has done nothing about it until
his fifth bid, after a Blackwood response shows that his side holds
all the key cards, at which time he suddenly decides this would be a
good time to "adjust the tempo back to normal" which he has the right
to do according to the above CoC paragraph.  Is this *really* how the
WBF wants directors to rule?

If so, then they're the ones who should be shot.  But I cannot believe
that.  I do think they need to put some kind of clarification in their
CoC so as to avoid confusion in cases like this.

                                -- Adam