[blml] the Kaplan Question (precis, part 1 of 2) [SEC=UNOFFICIAL]

[Jerry Fusselman]

Richard Hills wrote:

> That
> is, you must have a legitimate bridge reason for wanting to
> know the answer before asking a question.
>

That translates to this:  "You cannot ask a question without your hand
being such that you need to know." And that translates to this:  "A
legal question must reveal something about your hand to partner and
opponents alike."

Why not consider wanting to understand the auction a valid bridge reason?

Do bridge authorities have some peculiar definition of "information"
that no mathematician would recognize?  Undeniably, if your hand must
have certain characteristics to warrant asking a question, then asking
the question reveals that your hand has those characteristics.  That
is, your question conveys information.  Apparently, Richard and many
others want your questions to always convey this kind of information.

If, like Ron Gerard recommends, you don't require certain
characteristics in your hand to ask a question, then your question no
longer conveys that information.

-Jerry Fusselman