[blml] alertability

[Marvin French]

From: "Ed Reppert"

> Eric Landau wrote:
>
> > Consider this situation:  Partner makes a call for which we have an
> > explicitly agreed point range.  I know from previous experience with
> > this partner that he will sometimes make that call with less than
our
> > agreed minimum, but only if we estimate that we are having a bad
game
> > to that point.  That's clearly an implicit agreement, which I must
> > disclose.  Am I also obligated to tell the opponents whether or not
we
> > estimate that we are having a bad game?
>
> If you're not so obligated, then you are in effect permitted to have
> an encrypted agreement. As I don't think the latter is the case, it
> seems you must disclose your estimate (I note that your partner's
> estimate may differ).

This looks like an illegal change of system to me.

ELECTION for Law 40E

Both members of a partnership must employ the same system on their
convention cards.

1. During a sesson of play, a system may not be varied, except with the
permission of the Director. (A Director might allow  pair to change a
convention, but would not allow a pair to change their basic system.)

Of course we see pros violating this rule all the time when playing with
customers, principally by routinely opening 1NT with 14-18 HCP when the
CC says 15-17. I know some that *never* make a takeout double with a
book double (e.g., 4-4-4-1), to avoid the possibility that the customer
will play the hand. If they freely get away with this, why can't
everyone?

Marv
Marvin L. French
San Diego, California
www.marvinfrench.com