Aces on Bridge — Daily Columns

The Aces on Bridge: Saturday, 3 August, 2024


2 Comments

Iain ClimieAugust 3rd, 2024 at 10:02 am

Hi Bobby,

If South wins T,1 with the DQ, could this persuade West that partner might have A10xxx and declarer might have CK as well, perhaps with East holding C9xx? OK, East probably should play the DA at T1 in that case but this seems a case for sowing some confusion.

regards,

Iain

bobbywolffAugust 3rd, 2024 at 2:21 pm

Hi Iain,

Yes, your suggestion has decided merit with many different (at least some) degrees of
merit, causing both defenders and the declarer to, if possible, make it as tough as possible
for adversaries to read the evidence correctly. However, by so doing (meaning a pause, lengthy or not) it is possible (and sometimes likely) for an opponent to miss read what slowness means, allowing judgment to enter regarding ethics. This type of wrong, though difficult at times, to avoid, may cause a difficult decision, particularly so to a judge who
doesn’t quite understand what his decision should include.

All of that above is surely to be discussed, but often results in inexperienced final rulings, which to me, should cater to practicality, nothing more or less, and charged off the charts in favor of the player who would have no idea he was being unethical, although, if he was more
experienced, he might. Right, far from perfect, but, at least to me, the right final choice.
IOW, Innocent!. but unfortunately just part of our otherwise beautiful game, just part of the scenery. Thanks for bringing it up. No thanks for bringing it up. Take your choice!