[blml] The sixth sick sheik's sixth sheep is sick

[Herman De Wael]

Brian wrote:
> On Mon, 1 Oct 2007 22:51:09 -0400
> Ed Reppert <ereppert at rochester.rr.com> wrote:
> 
>> On Oct 1, 2007, at 10:05 PM, Guthrie wrote:
>>
>>> Forcing players to guess when they claim they don't know would
>>> simplify the law and make prevarication harder.
>> Forcing this player to guess when he doesn't know will cause him to  
>> quit the game.
>>
> 
> Well, I suppose that's one way. If Nigel's "force them to guess" ever
> becomes law, I'll always make sure I have a coin in my pocket. If
> forced to guess, I'd list the two (most likely) alternative meanings,
> assign them to heads and tails, and then spin the coin. If people want
> to introduce another random element into the game, then let's ensure
> that it's as near to truly random as possible. 
> 
> 
> Brian.
> 

Well Brian, the next time you are playing with a partner who makes you 
a bid that's an exact 50/50 guess, be sure to let us know.
In my opinion, such a situation is totally impossible.

Except for the very first table you play with him, and except against 
his regular partner's, you know more about your partner's system than 
your opponents do. That "more" translates in you having a 60/40 guess, 
at least. If you don't tell them which of the two is the 60% 
probability, you are a cheat. If you decide to follow the 40% 
probability one, you are a fool. Since I don't want to call you 
neither a cheat nor a fool, I assume you will tell them which is the 
60% option.

And if it is truely 50/50, you've earnt yourself a bottle of 
champagne, and your reasoning above would be true. I consider that a 
very infrequent happening, and I (as TD) won't believe it if you tell 
me it is. I'll force you to reveal the 51% option.

-- 
Herman DE WAEL
Antwerpen Belgium
http://users.skynet.be/hermandw/index.html