[blml] How do you deal with this mess?

[Adam Beneschan]

David Barton wrote:
 
> I received a phone call to give a ruling from a team match being played 
> privately.
> 
> The auction had gone
> 1N (1)       X (2)    P (3)   P
> 2C/XX (4)    P (5)    P       2C
> X            P        P       P
> 
> (1) 12-14
> (2) Penalty
> (3) Alerted - forces partner to redouble (to play or single suited escape)
> (4) Momentarily confused about his agreements, 2C is removed from the
>       bidding box. Before it is placed on the table his LHO asks about the
>       alert of the pass. Coming to his senses he correctly explains the 
> agreement,
>       returns the 2C to the bidding box and substitutes redouble.
> (5) "Reserves his Rights" before passing.
> 
> Result was 2C minus 4 for 1100 penalty.
> 
> Regulations state "A call is considered to have been made when the call is
> removed from the bidding box with apparent intent."
> It was accepted that the 2C was removed "with intent".
> 
> Do you allow the result to stand? What is the basis for your ruling?
> 
> Thanks

I don't see any basis for adjusting anything.  Opener's partner
probably has UI, but we can't rule on whether he illegally took
advantage of the UI if we can't even see his hand.  Did they even tell
you his hand over the phone?  If not, then apparently nobody is
claiming this is a UI issue.  There aren't any other issues; there may
or may not have been a change of call from 2C to XX, but opener's LHO
condoned the call, so that's no longer an issue either---if LHO
thought he retained the right to apply Law 25B later by saying he
"reserved his rights", he needs to be educated.  The "reserving
rights" thing is only for UI.

                                -- Adam