[blml] Sykes and Mist Beads [SEC=UNOFFICIAL]

[Stefanie Rohan]

--- Wayne Burrows <wjburrows at gmail.com> wrote:

> On 04/02/2008, richard.hills at immi.gov.au
> <richard.hills at immi.gov.au> wrote:
> > Wayne Burrows:
> >
> > >You seem to have snipped this:
> > >
> > >"Of course all of these bids will be anticipated
> when the players
> > >are simply told in advance that they are in use."
> >
> > Richard Hills:
> >
> > In my opinion this is wrenching the word
> "anticipated" out of
> > context.
> >
> > Furthermore, in my opinion, "understanding" a 0-8
> hcp Fert is more
> > than noting the criteria for its use; it also
> involves an
> > understanding of which possible defence to the
> Fert is most
> > sensibly suited for the partnership to employ.
> >
> 
> Using your criteria most players do not "understand"
> a takeout double
> or even a strong 1NT opening.
> 
> The normal meaning for "anticipate" is to foresee or
> be forewarned.  I
> don't see anything in the context that suggests we
> should employ some
> more obscure meaning.
> 
> "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."
> 
> Further it is clear from the law that it is only the
> 'meaning' of the
> 'partnership understanding' that needs to be
> 'understood and
> anticipated'.  There is nothing in this law that
> suggests that the
> opponents have to have devised some optimal or
> reasonable
> countermeasure.

I think that the point of this passage in the law
means that the bid should be readily understood and
anticipated if it is not pre-alerted, alerted, or
explained in any way. One can quibble about
exceptions, but such discussions would not be very
interesting.

Stefanie Rohan
London, England