[blml] 40B3? [SEC=UNOFFICIAL]

[David Burn]

[RH]

Quibble.  There is no time limit in the 2007 Law 20F5(a), but the relevant
time limit appears in the 2007 Law 20F5(b).

[DALB]

Law 20F5(a) says that:

"A player whose partner has given a mistaken explanation may not correct the
error during the auction, nor may he indicate in any manner that a mistake
has been made."

The words "during the auction" appear to me to constitute a time limit;
whether the player becomes declarer, dummy or a defender, he may not correct
a misexplanation during the auction. Whether or not the same time limit
applies to "nor may he indicate in any manner that a mistake has been made"
is debatable; my own view is that if it had been intended to apply, the law
would have read:

"During the auction, a player whose partner has given a mistaken explanation
may not correct the error, nor may he indicate in any manner that a mistake
has been made."

But it seems to me that what is intended is that when North says "Blackwood"
in answer to a question about 4NT, South is not supposed *at that point* to
react in any manner, as by saying "No it's not", or by grimacing, shaking
his head, or the like. You certainly don't want to give UI to partner before
he makes his call, and you may not have to give it anyway - the opponents
might not ask any more questions until the end of the auction, when you can
call the Director and have things put right (or at least, less wrong). South
is, however allowed to - nay, mandated to - proceed in every respect
(including answering questions) as if North's reply had been "minors", even
though this may involve indicating at some later stage in the auction that a
mistake has been made. If I can't base my calls or plays on North's
explanation, why should I base my answers to questions on it?

Another difficulty I have with the dWS is this: if the opponents do not ask
about 4NT but ask about 5D, South will say "minor suit preference", whereas
if the opponents do ask about 4NT South will say "one ace". But legally,
South may not act on the assumption that North believes 4NT to be Blackwood.
One might even say that to answer "one ace" is to "choose from among logical
alternatives one that could demonstrably have been suggested over another by
the extraneous information".

While I'm here, I may as well answer Herman's question. If you proceed
according to the dWS, I will fine you three tops or 90 IMPs for a first
violation of all the Laws you have broken, and disqualify you for a second.

David Burn
London, England