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The Maastricht Appeals

University Teams Round 9
Norway v Latvia

Board 9.
Dealer North.
E/W vul.

			A
			J 10 8 5 3 2
			Q 9 2
			A 9 3
	K J 10 6 3	N W E S			9 8 7 5 2
	Q 7 6				A K 4
	A 8 7 4				10
	Q				K 10 8 5
			Q 4
			9
			K J 6 5 3
			J 7 6 4 2

West	North	East	South
Hagen	Gaigals	Kristofferson	Germanis
...	1	Pass	1NT(1)
Pass	2(2)	All Pass	...
(1) Forcing for one round (explained both sides of screen)
(2) West asked South: South said less than 16, but not minimum, +/- 15-16.

Result: Eight tricks, NS +110.

The Facts: West stated that if he had known North could have been weaker (as he was) he could have balanced. The Convention card just said that 1H- 1NT-2NT showed 16+, nothing about 1H-1NT-2H.

The Director: We felt West had been damaged but:

1. East/West had been cautious until now; on balancing it is less plausible to reach game

2. Only a few pairs reached 4 (10 out of 22) Therefore we adjusted the score.

Ruling: Score adjusted to 2S+2 by West; N/S -170 to both sides.

East/West appealed.

The Players: East/West said: On a balance vulnerable versus non-vulnerable, we always have a good hand, especially when opponents haven't shown a fit.

As East, I would have considered bidding either 3, showing a good 3 raise with heart values, or maybe a direct jump to 4.

We feel that the side who is hurt (us) should be given a beneficial judgement (+620). (I know we have ten spades and the opener has the A.)

The Committee: Noted that West's "question" was merely a look. South proffered an explanation: he was slightly confused, and in fact the correct description of 2 is 12-15 or 12-16. At the Committee South agreed that he gave the wrong explanation.

The Directives of the Code of Practice laid down that the Appeals Committee should take full account of that ruling, and this was done in the deliberations. Furthermore the Committee took into account the level of competence of the event.

The Committee's decision: There was misinformation. It was possible that East would balance with correct information, and possible that, if so, game would be reached.

Score adjusted to: 50% of 2H= by North, NS +110; 20% of 2S+2, NS -170; 30% of 4S=, NS -620 to both sides.

Relevant Laws: Law 21C, Law 12C3.

Deposit: Returned.