[blml] Unbelievable Auction

[David Grabiner]

"Wayne Burrows" <wjburrows at gmail.com> writes:

> IMPs
> E/W Vul
> Dealer South
>
> As West you hold:
>
> 94
> AJ
> K542
> 97652
>
> (2D*) Pass (3H**) X
> (3S)  ?
>
> * Multi but can be based on a five-card major
>
> ** Pass or Correct
>
> What are your logical alternatives
>
> i/  If partner's double is penalties?

A penalty double implies an overcall of 3H over a spade preempt.  I can't make 
game opposite such a hand unless partner has enough to bid again, and I don't 
have any reason to expect I can beat 3S unless partner can double, so pass is my 
choice; double is a LA if it is card-showing, but not if it is penalty.  I don't 
think 4H is an LA; North probably has four hearts, so the suit won't break, and 
my doubleton spade is a liability, not an asset.  (I did seriously consider it, 
though, so it depends on the jurisdiction.)

> ii/ if partner's double is takeout?

If double is takeout of an unspecified major (which makes sense here), double 
would be my choice if it is responsive or card-showing (hoping partner can bid 
3NT), but is not an LA if penalty.  4C is my choice otherwise.  I would say that 
4D (intending to bid 5C only if they go on to 4S) is a LA but 4NT is not, as 
five of a minor is almost surely down if partner has a doubleton spade.

If double is takeout of hearts, 3NT is the obvious call, with double a LA, but 
this seems unlikely since the opponents would not be in spades.

> Without trying to pre-empt the discussion ...
>
> What can you do as the director when West chooses a very unusual
> action which happens to work creating a suspicion that something
> untoward was going on?

I have to have some evidence of either use of UI or a CPU to rule against West. 
To rule a CPU, I have to see an East hand inconsistent with the agreement or 
explanation; to rule UI, I have to have some idea what the UI is.  Even if there 
is a Rule of Coincidence, it is just a way of saying that I believe there is a 
CPU.  West overbidding 4H (over a penalty double) and catching East with a good 
hand would not be suffficient evidence of a CPU or UI, but would lead to a 
ruling against West if East doubled prematurely (not waiting over the skip bid) 
or loudly.