[blml] L25A or not

[Alain Gottcheiner]

At 19:08 18/09/2006 +0200, Herman De Wael wrote:
>I was directing in Pula (Croatia) last week, and this ruling created
>some controversy among us TDs:
>
>East opens 1D and South puts 1NT on the table.
>
>West enquires and North says "16-18".
>
>Now South looks at the table in front of him and utters the classical
>"ooops", saying he intented to bid 1S.
>
>FWIW, I was convinced that the error was mechanical.

I have always some qualms about that statement, for how does the TD 
determine whether the error was mechanical ? He's not allowed to look at 
the player's hand, remember.

But, assuming some imp (not the bridge kind) told you the error was 
mechanical, you're precisely in the right conditions for using L25A : 
mechanical error ; correction without pause FOR THOUGHT (other delays are 
irrelevant) ; the bidding didn't progress beyond LHO.

How the player was made conscious of one's error is irrelevant (unless, 
perhaps, one's side's kibitz gulped).

Afterthoughts : the TD is allowed to look at the player's hand after the 
deal, to see whether the player's statement (slip of the finger) is credible.

Best regards

     Alain