[blml] Categories of rule-breaker [SEC=UNOFFICIAL]

[richard.hills at immi.gov.au]

William Schoder (Kojak):

>.....Most cheats that I have encountered over these many years
>were first suspected and brought to light by ex-spectators,
>discussions after the game, party room reviews of spectators,
>etc., and the like
>.....
>taking a stance that is silly.....

Richard Hills:

Indeed.  I agree that one of Nigel's apparent points over his
recent series of postings - that the current Lawbook encourages
and rewards cheating - is just silly.  And another of Nigel's
apparent points - that cheating is difficult to detect - is
even sillier.

(Advance apologies to Nigel if I have again misinterpreted a
nuance in the tenor of his postings.)

There is no purpose in cheating unless the cheater wants a
better-than-normal result.  But given the statistical nature
of bridge, and the fact that bridge experts and weather
forecasters are unique in their ability to accurately predict
outcomes, a cheat who consistently gains better-than-normal
results for no readily apparent reason will be noticed.

A case in point was the 1980s scandal involving the ACBL expert
partnership Cokin-Sion.  They consistently gained better-than-
normal results on the most difficult aspect of bridge, the
opening lead.  This inexplicable outcome caused Cokin-Sion to
be closely observed by spectators, and eventually a kibitzer
noticed a correlation between the suit of the opening lead and
the orientation of the pencil of the opening leader's partner.


Best wishes

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

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