[blml] 2007 laws

[Tim West-Meads]

Jerry wrote:
 
> I agree with Eric, and I worry about this change.  What is to keep 
> the majority in an RA from making everyone bid more like them?

As always that duty falls to the players and TDs.

The new law clearly states "A special partnership
understanding is one whose meaning, in the opinion of the
Regulating Authority, may not be readily understood and
anticipated by a significant number of players in the
tournament."

If the RA tries to abuse it's power (ie by ruling something "special"
purely on the basis of dislike) then as TDs we will hold the regulation
illegal if we believe the RA would recognise that almost all players in
the tournament would be capable of understanding and anticipation.

If they try to outlaw e.g. a 9-11 1NT then they had better be prepared to
go to court and swear on oath that players will understand "12-14" but
not "9-11".  The necessary anticipation can be handled by purchasing
supplies of my pre-printed "Warning, 9-11 NT in use" T-shirts.

RAs actually have *LESS* authority in law than they did under the
previous ones - providing only that TDs and players are other than supine
in defending their rights.

Tim