[blml] 'normal'

[Gampas at aol.com]

In a message dated 08/11/2007 00:57:25 GMT Standard Time, swillner at nhcc.net  
writes:

>2) Ax alone with exactly one middle card in the suit  outstanding.  I 
>don't think we want to force the x to be played  (though I suspect some 
>would disagree with me here).
 
I agree, and S AQx opposite S Kx H 2 in no-trumps (the heart two is not a  
winner). It would not be normal to play the ace followed by the king, in my  
view. But would you allow S 965 opposite S 78 H 2 where the heart two is  not a 
winner, but the spades are all winners?  Again it is normal not  to play the S9 
first ... but I have seen poor players go wrong.
 
And what about S A92 opposite S 103 H2, with one high card out in spades,  
and the H2 not a winner. I would now have to disallow that one if the declarer  
did not state "cashing the ace and unblocking the 10". I would not contest it, 
 personally, as a defender, however. I guess that is about the point at  
which normality ends and carelessness takes over, but we should have some case  
law to guide us. I expect we soon will ...