[blml] 40B3? [SEC=UNOFFICIAL]

[David Burn]

[HdW]

Once again, David believes L16 applies to answers. It doesn't. Only to bids.

[DALB]

Actually, Herman, it doesn't apply "only to bids". At the very least, it
applies to calls and plays, because this is what it says:

"After a player makes available to his partner extraneous information that
may suggest a call or play, as for example by a remark, a question, a reply
to a question, an unexpected* alert or failure to alert, or by unmistakable
hesitation, unwonted speed, special emphasis, tone, gesture, movement, or
mannerism, the partner may not choose  from among logical alternatives one
that could demonstrably have been suggested over another by the extraneous
information."

Now, you choose to read this as "may not select from among logically
alternative calls or plays", because this is "obviously what it means". But
it isn't what it says. What it says is that someone in receipt of UI may not
select *any* logical alternative that could have been suggested over another
by the UI. This means that a player who has the choice between explaining 5D
as "one ace" and "minor suit preference" may not explain it as "one ace",
because the UI "I think 4NT was Blackwood" suggests doing so.

You may consider this literal reading of L16B1 far-fetched and leading to
absurdity. But your own literal reading of L20F5 is equally far-fetched and
leading to absurdity. It's just that, in keeping with most fanatics, you are
incapable of recognising your own absurdities even though they are
isomorphic to the absurdities you decry in others. But well it was said by
the bard:

For many system shoppers it's
a good-for-nothing system
that classifies as opposites
stupidity and wisdom,

because by logic-choppers it's
accepted with avidity:
stupidity's true opposite's
the opposite stupidity.

Piet Hein

[HdW]

And what shall you do to the noble unknown who just says "I thought partner
was right - 4NT was Blackwood". Give him 90 IMPs fine?

[DALB]

He can have a warning the first time. Then a 90-IMP fine.

David Burn
London, England