Appeals

July 2000

Appeal No 5.
Hesitation

Open Teams Round 6
Portugal v Turkey

Board 17.
Dealer North .
Love All.

Please note: Screen runs from top left to bottom right.
			J 8 7
			Q 9 8 6 4 2
			A 3
			J 8
	A Q 5	N   W E   S			10
	K J 10 7				A
	K 7 5				J 10 9 4 2
	9 7 5				A K Q 10 3 2
			K 9 6 4 3 2
			5 3
			Q 8 6
			6 4

West	North	East	South
Sa	Kubac	Barbosa	Kilercioglu
	2	4	Pass
5	Pass	6	All Pass

Contract: Six Clubs, played by East
Result: Twelve tricks, +920 to East/West

The Facts: Over a weak Two Hearts, four Clubs showed a minor two-suiter. The tray took some two minutes before returning with Five Clubs, after which East raised to Six.

The Director: Considered passing to be a Logical Alternative.

Ruling: Score adjusted to Five Clubs, making with an overtrick, +420 to East/West.

East/West appealed.

The Players: East/West explained that over a weak two in Hearts, Four Clubs showed the minors, not forcing, while Four Hearts would be forcing with both Minors. West explained that at first he thought Four Clubs showed the black suits, which is indeed how they defend against a Multi Two Diamonds. He had even considered bidding Four Spades, when he remembered the correct system. He had then considered his next bid for some two minutes more. He stated that he had lost some time in considering whether to bid Five Clubs or Five Diamonds.
East explained that he chose the non-forcing alternative because he did not know there would be a fit, but when partner then raised the Clubs, he considered that partner must have at least the Ace of Spades and a high Diamond honour. If that is the Ace, he is playing at 75%, if it would only be the King of Diamonds, the slam is still at 50%. East/West were not able to produce written notes about their defensive methods, but thought the explanations were self-evident.

The Committee: Considered the hesitation proven, including the fact that it must have been a hesitation by West.
The Committee considered the Director' ruling to be correct and did not think the case should have been brought to appeal.

The Committee's decision: Director's decision upheld.

Relevant Laws: Law 16A, Law 12C2

Deposit: Forfeited