[blml] Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition [SEC=UNOFFICIAL]

[richard.hills at immi.gov.au]

This issue arose in the "De Whale" thread, but since it
deals with a completely different topic I am starting a
spinoff thread.

*     *     *

Richard Hills:

>>>My expert RHO has a bad habit of Spanish Inquisition
>>>interrogation of opponents during the auction (a
>>>habit which verges on a Law 74A2 infraction), so he
>>>did indeed enquire about the meaning of partner's
>>>4NT bid during the auction.

Steve Willner:

>>I don't see what the first has to do with the second.
>>He's entitled to inquire though not to be rude about
>>it.

Richard Hills:

Oh, he (and at least two other experts at the Canberra
Bridge Club with the same habit) eschew unparliamentary
language.  But they gain many imps and matchpoints by
flustering nervous bunnies when they ask for minute
details about consequences and implications which have
never been thought about by the bunny partnership.

Steve Willner:

>>Here it's to his advantage to inquire because it puts
>>you into a UI position, where you may fail to benefit
>>even if your guess is correct.

Richard Hills:

Not 100% to his advantage.  Gains on roundabouts can be
counterbalanced by losses on swings.  A question by my
RHO could put his partner in a UI position, restricting
my LHO when defending our eventual contract.

Steve Willner:

>>This is a good example for my suggestion that correct
>>explanations should be AI or at worst a milder form
>>of UI than incorrect explanations.

Marvin French:

>Especially if the information is plainly disclosed on
>the convention card. Players should not be free to
>force an opponent to create UI unnecessarily.

Richard Hills:

I agree everyone would benefit if system/convention
cards were better designed, and if pre-alert disclosure
of basic system and frequent unexpected conventions was
mandatory at the start of each round.

In my opinion correct explanations becoming AI would be
a cure worse than the disease in an expert tournament.

I am warming to an ACBL Board of Directors suggestion
that, in a novice tournament, players should be allowed
to refer to their own system/convention card at all
times, which would ensure that novice bids and novice
explanations were consistent with the written card.


Best wishes

Richard James Hills, amicus curiae
National Training Branch, DIAC
02 6225 6285

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