[blml] Are the laws clear on telling pard to ask a question?

[Steve Willner]

> From: "Jerry Fusselman" <jfusselman at gmail.com>
> I was declarer as South, and while West was considering her lead, East
> said, "Wait!  What did your (my) 2S bid show?"  2S was alerted, but no
> one asked during the auction.

I'm coming late to this question, but I don't think anyone has given a 
full answer.  Some of the answers that have been given seem bizarre.

The first issue is what East's question really means.  If it means 
something like "I have a good holding in spades, and I'd like you to 
lead one," that's ordinary UI to West.  (As a matter of terminology, 
this is an "informatory question.")  We all know how to deal with that 
via L16A, etc.

The more interesting meaning is something like "That 2S bid was not what 
you think, and you really ought to ask about it."  This is not a UI 
problem; it's an infraction of L73B1, a wholly different matter.  (This 
is termed a "pro question.")  If this infraction causes damage, the 
Director should go to L12A1 and 12C2 (and possibly 12C3 if it is in 
force).  In practice, there are two cases: if West leads without asking 
about 2S, L73B1 damage is very unlikely.  If West _does_ ask, the 
Director needs to consider what would have happened if the irregularity 
-- East's question -- had not occurred.  In practice, if the lead worked 
out well for EW, and there was any likelihood that West would not have 
asked, and the answer to the 2S question could have suggested the lead, 
the Director should adjust the score.  Of course the Director should 
explain all this before West asks about 2S, and a sensible West then 
won't ask because it can't be to his advantage.

The Director will get this right if he realizes two things: East's 
question, because of its timing, was illegal, and UI only applies to 
unseen cards, not to opponents' methods.

From: "Sven Pran" <svenpran at online.no>
> I would as TD have denied West the right to ask any question after East's
> illegal activity

This is going too far, though proper advice (L10C1) to a sensible West 
will have the same effect.  It probably would be simpler to rule as Sven 
wishes, but the current Laws don't support doing so.