[blml] A Psyche Classification [SEC=UNOFFICIAL]

[richard.hills at immi.gov.au]

Steve Willner:

>I'd like to get away from the specific case and back to the legal
>problem.  Suppose you decide the following facts:
>1. 2S was explained at the table as "long spades" (perhaps with more
>details of expected strength and suit length).
>2. EW are in fact notorious psychers who know each other's habits
>well, and the true agreement is something like "long spades, or else
>short spades with heart support."
>3. The true agreement, if properly disclosed, would have been a
>legal convention in the jurisdiction concerned.
>
>What is your ruling in these circumstances?  Would it be different
>in the EBU than elsewhere?

EBU White Book clause 90.4.2:

>>If a contestant uses a method that is not permitted, or is adjudged
>>to have fielded a psyche, deviation or misbid then the deal should
>>be completed.  If he attains a score of Ave- or less then the score
>>stands.  Otherwise he gets Ave- and his opponents get Ave+.
>>
>>In the case of a fielded psyche there is a further penalty to the
>>offending side of at least the standard amount.
>>
>>Examples
>>
>>(a) A pair fields a misbid, but gets a score of 35% on the board.
>>The score is not adjusted.
>>
>>(b) A pair uses a Level 4 agreement in a Level 3 event, and gets a
>>score of 65%.  The board is re-scored as Ave- to them, and Ave+ to
>>their opponents.
>>
>>(c) In a seven-board Swiss Teams a pair fields a psyche and gets a
>>score of +4 IMPs on the board.  The board is re-scored as Ave- to
>>them, and Ave+ to their opponents, ie as 3 IMPs to their opponents.
>>Furthermore, they are fined 0.5 VPs, but this does not affect their
>>opponents' score.
>>
>>(d) A pair psyches an Acol 2C opening, which is not permitted, and
>>gets a score of 55% on the board.  This is treated as using an
>>illegal agreement, so they get Ave-, and Ave+ to their opponents,
>>but no further penalty.
>>
>>A pair who has already had their use of a method ruled illegal
>>should also be fined the standard amount.
>>
>>While a procedural penalty of a standard amount is normal with a
>>fielded psyche, and no procedural penalty at all with an illegal
>>method or a fielded deviation or misbid, the TD does have the right
>>to penalise to a greater degree in aggravated circumstances.

Richard Hills:

Presumably the point of Steve's question is whether the score
adjustment for "illegal convention" should be different from the score
adjustment for "concealed partnership understanding".  In the EBU it
seems that the score adjustment is the same, but the procedural
penalties may be different.


Best wishes

Richard James Hills, amicus curiae
Level 6 Aqua Training Suite, DIAC
02 6225 6776

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