[blml] Double and appeal

[Gampas at aol.com]

In a message dated 30/11/2007 20:18:59 GMT Standard Time,  
guthrie at ntlworld.com writes:
[Torsten Åstrand]
What is your  ruling?
.................. S: K 7 3
North deals ...... H: 3 2
Both vul  ......... D: K J 7 4 2
.................. C: J 8 2
S: J 6  .......................... S: A T 9 5 4 2
H: A 9 ..........................  H: 8 4
D: Q T 6 ........................ D: A 3
C: Q T 6 5 4 3  .................. C: K 9 7
.................. S: Q 8
..................  H: K Q J T 7 6 5
.................. D: 9 8 5
.................. C: A
_W  _N _E _S
.. _P 1S 2H
_P _P*2S 3H (*Break in tempo)
3S _P _P 4H
_X  AP
4H= 790

[nige1]
Assuming that ...
(1) North hesitated after  South bid 2H and
(2) Torsten has told us all relevant facts

I think  ...
[A] North's hesitation over South's 2H is likely to convey the  
information that he holds useful high cards.
[B] For South, this  information made 4H more attractive than other 
logical alternatives like  Pass.
[C] South's 4H bid damaged EW.
[D] Having raised with lots of points  but only a doubleton spade, 
West's double of 4H was logical, rather than  "wild and gambling".
[E] Without the alleged infraction, a likely result for  EW is 3S=
and, IMO, that is how the director should rule.
 

>>[F] If South is an experienced player, the Director may  consider
>>the imposition of a penalty.
 
If South is an experienced player, I think the Director should apply a PP  of 
double the standard one. And I agree with either 2S+1 or 3S= as an adjusted  
score.