[blml] alertability

[David Grabiner]

Marvin French writes:

>
> 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?

Comparing scores with opponents at matchpoints in mid-game may itself be 
improper.

>> 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.

The ACBL has intepreted this as referring to system, not style; their 
example is that both partners must have the same range for opening 1NT, but 
one may choose never to open 1NT with a five-card major, and the other may 
sometimes open with a five-card major.

And, in fact, it's impossible to police style issues; I can't agree with 
most partners on exactly what disqualifies a hand from preempting, or on 
which 17-counts are too strong for a 1NT opening.

> 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.)

However, it is standard to adjust your style according to the conditions, 
and according to the opponents.  You might psych against experts and not 
psych on the same hand against novices, and you might take a slightly 
anti-percentage or non-standard call when you are behind in a match.

In a matchpoint game, are you supposed to tell your opponents that you will 
be shooting because you need tops, or playing conservatively in the last 
round because you think you need only an average to win?