[blml] De mortuis nil nisi bonum [SEC=UNOFFICIAL]

[David Grabiner]

Richard Hills writes:

> SOUTH     WEST      NORTH     EAST
> Dorothy             Richard
> 1D        Dble      1S        2H
> 2S        3H        3S(1)     Pass
> 4S        Dble      Pass      Pass
> Pass
>
> (1) Break in tempo
>
>              A973
>              63
>              J653
>              965
> QT52                          J8
> AQT74                         KJ95
> ---                           Q987
> A873                          JT4
>              K64
>              82
>              AKT42
>              KQ2
>
> Result: Eight tricks, -300, a loss of
> nine imps when team-mates went one off in
> 4H at the other table.

> But this silly hand does demonstrate the
> serious point that there is no need to
> waste time by immediately summoning the
> Director after a break in tempo when quite
> frequently the non-offending side gains a
> benefit, rather than suffers damage, if a
> subsequent infraction of Law 16 occurs.

However, the result at the other table is not the key issue in determining 
whether there was damage.  If South's 4S bid is an infraction, the TD needs to 
determine whether it is likely, or at all probable, that E-W would reach and 
make 4H without the infraction.  On this hand, I would rule no damage because 
West would not bid 4H absent the infraction, even though 4H might make if 
someone does bid it.