[blml] L9A vs L73B1 [SEC=UNOFFICIAL]

[richard.hills at immi.gov.au]

Nigel Guthrie:

>Superficially, asking about the meaning of the unalerted opener, for
>the benefit of partner, is a "Kaplan question".

WBF Laws Committee minutes 1st September 1998:

"It is held illegal to ask a question in order that partner may be
aware of the information in the reply."

Nigel Guthrie:

>No sane director would so rule, however, because you are drawing
>attention to a *prior* irregularity: Either the convention card is
>wrong or LHO has failed to alert. Presumably, though, you should call
>the director *before* asking?

Law 9A1:

"Unless prohibited by Law, any player may call attention to an
irregularity during the auction, whether or not it is his turn to
call."

Richard Hills:

As a sane Director, I would rule the above WBF LC minute an official
interpretation of Law.  I would consequently sanely rule that Nigel's
suggestion falls within the "unless prohibited by law" category, so
it is not permitted to immediately draw attention to this particular
irregularity of failure to alert.

Nigel Guthrie:

>Some pairs seem to adopt a cunning* tactic of doubtful legality over
>a "failure to alert" infraction. They ask if they want to trot out
>their conventional defence to an artificial bid; otherwise, they just
>make their normal call, without asking. Are any laws specifically
>relevant to this ploy? Or is this yet another case of "profiting
>legitimately from opponent's infraction"?

Law 73B1:

"Partners shall not communicate ..... through questions asked or not
asked of the opponents ..... "

Law 73B2:

"The gravest possible offence is for a partnership to exchange
information through prearranged methods of communication other than
those sanctioned by these Laws. A guilty partnership risks expulsion."


Best wishes

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

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