Board 12
NS Vul
Dealer West
WEST |
NORTH
 2
 AK4
 QJT853
 Q93 |
EAST |
KJ9874
T96
2
652 |
SOUTH |
AT3
Q53
K97
KJT7 |
|
Q65
J872
A64
A84 |
| West | North | East | South |
| 2D1 | 3D | 3H2 | 3NT |
| |
| 1 Alerted, known to be weak 2H/S |
| 2 No alert, convertable |
Result:
3NT NS: -400.
Tournament
Directors Statement of Facts and Ruling:
Ruled that the non
alert of 3H was an infraction. However any damage to NS was not
considered to be a direct consequence of that infraction by EW.
Reasons
for Appeal:
Failure
to alert 3H. 3NT was pushy anyway but South had reason to hope for
some spades opposite. If West alerts 3H, it will dawn on South that
partner has a major singleton. Then 4D is clear.
1) South had no reason to think that 3H was not natural. Many Multi
pairs
play this way but some don't - they bid 3H/S natural, double
instead to play
3 of pd's suit. None of South's regular partnerships
play this multi (our 2D
opening = diamonds).
2) If East's 3H shows hearts, South's 3NT vul vs not
at Butler IMPs is
brave, but clear. North's vul 3D shows a good hand
(slightly stronger
than over a weak two since weaker hands can pass and
protect)
Sxx Hxx DKQxxxx CKQx
is not enough. Pass and protect with
this. Partner is virtually certain
to have a major honour, say:
SKx Hxx DKQxxxx CKQx, or
Sxx
HAx DKQxxxx CKQx,
etc, maybe SJx,
HKx,
Now 3NT is cold opposite any of these, and a fair shot opposite
some
weaker hands such CKJx.
3) If South knows that East has 3-3
majors, it's clear that North has a
major singleton and opener's major is
cashing. Then South can double to
show this sort of hand, or just raise.
Either way scoring +130 in 4D.
4) West's opening does not satisfy the
Rule of 15! Have fun with that!
Opponents Submission:We had had a 2D opening 2 boards earlier which had
been discussed so everyone knew what it was and it was alerted. 3H -
pass or correct - is a standard treatment and South was a
bridge teacher too. Don't understand why South should expect spades
in the North hand as claimed. She had a good 11 count with stuff in
both majors and partner had made a vulnerable overcall at the the 3
level. It looks like no damage has been done.
Decision
of the Appeals Committee: Appeal rejected. Table result to
stand.
Although West's failure to alert his partner's 3H bid
was a clear and potentially damaging infraction, the committee was
of the opinion that:-
1. The South player is sufficiently experienced to
appreciate the potential pass/correct nature of the 3H bid, and
2. Even with an alert and explanation the 3NT bid is
still almost 'automatic'.
Addendum : The 2D opening does not meet
the ABF standard of 15 points (HCP + length of 2 longest suits -
this hand has only 13). This had was routinely opened 2S (or 2D multi)
around the room. Perhaps the NSWBA TC should examine this hand (a normal
weak 2S) before embracing these
regulations.
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