[blackshoe]

jillybean, on Aug 24 2009, 02:03 PM, said:

I don't think I've seen the stop card used in that auction.

That doesn't matter in most jurisdictions. The regulations put the onus on the skip bidder's LHO to pause 10 seconds, whether the stop card is used or not.

[jillybean]

bluejak, on Aug 24 2009, 04:30 PM, said:

May I assume you are in North America?

Yes, #1 city in the world.

bluejak, on Aug 24 2009, 04:30 PM, said:

It was ruled back on the basis that a ten second pause was a BIT because a lot of people do not bother.

Gawd, that is awful.

[JoAnneM]

Bruce, I just realized you are the person who did our D20 Reno Daily Bulletin a couple of years ago. Good job, and thanks!

Jo Anne

[Mbodell]

cherdanno, on Aug 24 2009, 08:53 AM, said:

I don't know anyone who pauses for 10 seconds after P 1N P 3N.

Around here, despite being in the ACBL, people regularly use the stop card in this action. And many, but not all, also properly stop for 10 seconds in this sequence.

[JoAnneM]

shyams, on Aug 24 2009, 07:32 PM, said:

I have some thoughts on the Stop card similar to jillybean & cherdanno.

The problems are in situations (some examples below):
A. Pass - (1NT) - Pass - (2C); Pass - (2D) - Pass - "Stop" (3NT) ... to what purpose?
B. (1M) - Pass - (1NT forc) - Pass; (2x) - pass - (2M/4M) ... If 4M, a Stop card is brandished (assume 4M shows game values) but the next player is least likely to act. Obviously the 2M (2-cards + 6-9 HCP) does not need "Stop", yet the 2M bid is more likely to require the person time to think.
C. (Opps passing) 1M - 2C(GF); 2x - 2M; 3Y - 3Z (both cue); "Stop" 4NT ... helps opponents or partner?
D. Purely hypothetical example (though I suspect may have happened to someone):
(Opps passing) "Stop" 2NT - 3C; 3D - (forgets stop card) 4NT; all pass. Declarer makes 12 tricks cold, then tells partner
"I thought you bid 3NT. Why didn't you put the Stop card?".
E. Time is relative (at least, to me). When I have nothing to think, 5-6 seconds feels like 10 seconds. When I have a decision to make, 10 seconds feels like 5-6!

Until today I have been in the "interpret the stop procedure" camp. I rarely pull out the STOP card in 1NT - 3NT sequences; or in 1NT - 2C - 2any - 3NT sequences. If I was a defender in A) above, I'd even occasionally pass in <10 seconds (not always). Having read other people's posts, I may change my attitude for the sake of compliance with the law but I am yet to be convinced.

The people who post here are experts and highly ethical people; I'd never worry about your usage of Stop cards. It's just that not every player I encounter in clubs is as ethical and knowledgeable as you lot.

PS: I'd really like to know what to do if D. above ever happened at my table. Do I call the Director and ask him to take action (which could be severe)?

This was probably a rhetorical question but, depending on the quality of the director, I would call. The pair has already been penalized on the score because the player expects stop cards to assist his bidding, but he really needs a lecture on proprieties in front of the rest of nearby tables, and maybe everyone will get a good lesson.

[jillybean]

I discovered last night why players don't use the ALERT card - there are none
I found a single alert card in one bidding box (sitting EW), none of my RHO's paused after I used the stop card or used one when they could have.
This seems to be the norm here, when in Rome..

[FrancesHinden]

cherdanno, on Aug 24 2009, 05:53 PM, said:

I don't know anyone who pauses for 10 seconds after P 1N P 3N.

I always do.

(Don't double count, I'm probably already covered by gordonrtd's list)

I always hold the stop card out for a slow count of 10 (which in practice is slightly under 10 seconds) before removing it. However fast my LHO has acted, my partner never acts until it has gone.

I always wait for a slow count of 10 after my RHO has made a jump bid, however long (or if at all) he has shown the stop card for.

While I agree that there are some non-jump auctions where a 'stop' would be handy, I definitely don't think that some of these 'no-one ever thinks' auctions should be unstoppered, as it were. I've seen the auction P 1NT P 3NT dbl a couple of times, for example. I've even had my LHO bid Blackwood, jump to 7NT and been grateful for my partner's 10 second stop before it came round to me (I had an ace, and needed the time to work out if a double would encourage or discourage the winning lead).