[blml] When too late

[Todd M. Zimnoch]

WILLIAM SCHODER wrote:
> Aw, come on Hans.  You take all the fun out of looking all over the law book 
> for something to pontificate on!!!
> 
> Gee...there it is...in black and white.... Law 92 B  ".....The right to 
> REQUEST or appeal a Director's ruling expires......." AND THEN IT TELLS YOU 
> WHEN.  (Italics mine).
> You have to learn that when there is a simple solution or answer to a 
> problem it's no fun, so just change the problem, and off you go! It's also 
> known as blowing smoke thereby giving everyone so inclined the opportunity 
> to cuss the FLB which has served us remarkably well for many decades in 
> ruling the game at all levels and venues.

I'll give you an example I encountered at the Toronto NABC. 
  The situation should demonstrate that the legal time limit 
is both more generous and not the same as the practical time 
limit for requesting a ruling.

2H  P*  4H  4S
AP

P was preceeded by a grab for the bidding box.  I assume my 
LHO did not realize she wasn't the dealer.  After I opened, 
LHO hesitated significantly before passing.

I did not call the director at this time.  The actions 
seemed far too obvious to deny and I always give strangers 
the benefit of the doubt that their actions are above board.

4S bidder turned out to have a 14-count with 5 spades and I 
felt that the bid was inspired by UI.  My partner gives me a 
knowing look and calls the director.

LHO adamantly denied both the early grab for the bidding box 
and the hesitation before the pass.  The director rules 
table result stands.  The director claimed that by waiting 
until the end of the hand to call her that my partnership 
was attempting a double shot, getting the best of either the 
table result or an adjustment, and that I had to call when I 
noticed the hesitation to get a ruling on it.  The reason I 
failed to appeal was that the match was a KO that my team 
won anyways and I was glad to not deal with those opponents 
for the rest of the week.

Just before the new year, I sat against a DC player who's a 
bit director-call happy.  She calls the director to complain 
that my partner was hesitating with a stiff remaining.  She 
had the count wrong.  Afterwards she apologizes to the 
director for calling, but not to my partner for the insult. 
  I feel like calling the director after any creation or 
potential use of UI is a similar insult, but it's clear to 
me that in the ACBL, despite the legal time limit to request 
a ruling, calling the director later than immediately may be 
too late.

-Todd