[blml] Law 25A

[Peter Eidt]

Hi Sven,

it sounds like a classic example for 25 B, so ...

no correction under 25 A !

Peter

From: "Sven Pran" 
> I was consulted (on telephone) on a case on which I would like to hear
> opinions on blml, preferably from those that feel themselves competent
> on the application of law 25A:
> 
> The auction: (North dealer, bid boxes in use, no screens)
> N    E    S    W
> 1C - P - 1D - P
> 1H - P - 2S - P
> 2NT - P - P - P
> 
> Immediately after West's final pass, before any activity associated
> with the opening lead, South exclaims: "God, what have I done" or
> words to that effect.
> 
> Facts (undisputed) as established by the Director: 2S is forcing to
> game (4th suit), there is no doubt that South intended to bid game,
> i.e. 3NT, and that his pass as such was "unintended". (I am
> deliberately avoiding the word "inadvertent" here).
> 
> Question: Shall South be permitted a Law 25A substitution of 3NT for
> his last pass?
> 
> "Disturbing" circumstances:
> 
> We have since long practiced a general (but not necessarily absolute)
> rule in Norway that for a call to be considered inadvertent its bid
> card should normally "come" from the same compartment in the bid box
> as the bid card for the intended call. (Pass, Double and Redouble come
> from one compartment, all bids come from a different compartment).
> 
> I believe I have heard that Law 25B2(b)(2) was introduced because of a
> situation where a player was so disappointed by his partner's response
> to a Blackwood asking bid that he lost all hopes of slam but
> "inadvertently" passed instead of correcting the contract to 5 in the
> agreed trumps. At that time his mistake shall have been ruled not to
> qualify for a correction under Law 25A?