[o_fata]

Hi guys,

I was directing a local tournament (with prizes, 17 tables, match points) when this situation came up:


On the last board, after the bidding ended and the initial lead was made, the declarer put his cards face up, told his partner "you play this contract", got up and left.

What should the TD do and what laws do you apply?

Thank u

[blackshoe]

Local where?

Was the lead made by the correct defender? Face up or face down? If the latter, is it still face down? Had putative dummy put down all or part of his hand yet?

[o_fata]

Sorry for not giving all the facts.

The lead was made by the correct defender. The declarer left the table after he examined the dummy; he was mad he was passed in what he thought it was a cuebid and didn't want to play that contract.

Local in Romania.

[blackshoe]

Declarer does not have that option.

Declarer has conceded all the tricks (Law 68B1, last sentence). If anyone (including dummy) objects, the TD shall determine the number of tricks declaring side gets (Law 70).

That takes care of the hand itself. Now, as to declarer's action... Law 91B allows the TD, subject to the approval of the TO, to disqualify a contestant for cause. I would take this route. If the TO does not approve, I would issue a disciplinary penalty of some significant number of points (MPs or IMPs, depending on scoring).

Your NBO may have regulations regarding this kind of thing as to what disciplinary action to take against the player who left. For example, you might, under such a regulation, suspend him from further play in the tournament, or play in *any* tournament under the NBO's auspices for some period of time. A disciplinary hearing may be required; action may have to be referred to the NBO. You'd have to check your regulations.

[bluejak]

Suspend him from all tournaments for three months and warn him about hsi future conduct.