[blml] Wacky conventions (was Nobody...) [SEC=UNOFFICIAL]

[richard.hills at immi.gov.au]

Steve Willner:

>If you dislike "wacky conventions," why isn't
>the proper approach to prohibit them?

Richard Hills:

a) I do not dislike wacky conventions; even in my
mostly vanilla system Dorothy Acol partnership we
use Brown Sticker RCO Twos.

b) The proper approach to wacky conventions, in
my opinion, is not to prohibit them.  That leads
to an infinite loop.  A wacky convention is
banned because it is unusual and unexpected.  But
while the ban remains there is no chance that the
wacky convention can become usual and expected,
so therefore eligible for unbanning.  Catch-22.

c) Rather, in my opinion, the proper approach to
wacky conventions is to provide full advance
disclosure (perhaps, if required, with advance
advice of recommended defences).  This policy, in
place for expert events on Tuesday and Thursday
nights at the Canberra Bridge Club, has resulted
in the concept of the Brown Sticker RCO Two Bids
percolating downwards, so now many "Little Old
Lady" partnerships use them.

d) This does not preclude restrictions on some
conventions for some events.  In response to
demand from "Very Little Old Lady" partnerships
who play in semi-social daytime walk-in pairs,
the Canberra Bridge Club prevents Brown Sticker
conventions from being used in those events.


Best wishes

Richard James Hills, amicus curiae
National Training Branch, DIAC
02 6223 9052

Important Notice: If you have received this email by mistake, please advise
the sender and delete the message and attachments immediately.  This email,
including attachments, may contain confidential, sensitive, legally
privileged and/or copyright information.  Any review, retransmission,
dissemination or other use of this information by persons or entities other
than the intended recipient is prohibited. DIAC respects your privacy and
has obligations under the Privacy Act 1988. The official departmental
privacy policy can be viewed on the department's website at www.immi.gov.au
See: http://www.immi.gov.au/functional/privacy.htm