[bluejak]

A correspondent writes:

---

E/W play strong club
1♥ = 5+ cards, 11-15
2♣ = GF relay (Ice-relay)
East's pass = 3♠s +5♥s
4♥ = minimum, no interest

4♥ is after very long hesitation (1min+)

Pass instead of 4♥ would have been further relay (minor distr.) 4♦ would show some slam interest (E bids 4♥ if not interested). I assume other bids (like the seemingly obvious 3♠) would be natural or Cue aggreeing .

N/S complained on the grounds that Pass was a logical alternative to 5♣ etc. How would you rule as TD? If the ruling (score stands or +480) were appealed what would you rule as AC?

[lamford]

bluejak, on 2011-November-08, 15:20, said:

N/S complained on the grounds that Pass was a logical alternative to 5♣ etc. How would you rule as TD? If the ruling (score stands or +480) were appealed what would you rule as AC?

I would poll some Precision players, as I only play Precision rarely, but my impression is that Pass is an LA. I don't see why West cannot have wasted diamond values, something like AQJx Jxx KQx xxx, except that hand would sign off pretty quickly over 3♦.

So I would be inclined to adjust, but would want to hear from the players.

[aguahombre]

And what did N/S think the long hitch conveyed? Looks to me as if West's 4H suggests lack of diamond control. East not only has slam interest, but also has absolute diamond control...With those clubs, it is hard to imagine responder without great spades. Pass of 4H would be foolhardy.

[lamford]

aguahombre, on 2011-November-08, 19:14, said:

Looks to me as if West's 4H suggests lack of diamond control.

I would play that a slow 4H should show a minimum hand with no diamond wastage, and a fast 4H should show a minimum hand with wastage in diamonds. Although slow shows wastage might be systemically better, as then you want partner to be silenced.

[aguahombre]

Well, I don't know about that. What I do know is that this was a complicated situation, and when my partner takes extra time to make a bid, my UI is that she finally came up with the right bid

That information is helpful, but I don't think it is unlawful to use it. Should I assume that a bid in-tempo was thoughtless knee jerk?

edit: Just to be clear: in this case, if West had hesitated, then bid 4H with a diamond control, and East had proceeded without one.....then, there would be cause for adjustment. Similarly, if after West's hitch on this hand East continued without a diamond control...IMO, she should not only get her bad result, but also, due note that she tried to take advantage of UI which she misread

This post has been edited by aguahombre: 2011-November-08, 20:17

[campboy]

4♥ denies slam interest but a player who takes some time to deny slam interest (assuming anything else would show it) clearly has partial slam interest. Surely the only question is whether pass is an LA; I would imagine it is.

[mrdct]

I'd try to conduct a meaningful poll of East's peers of course, but I think it would be hard to find a group of reasonably competent players which wouldn't have at least a few people giving some contemplation to passing even if making a further move seems to be the indicated auction. I agree with the table ruling of winding it back to 4♥+2.

[barmar]

I think this case is more about whether the hitch demonstrably suggests a particular action than whether Pass is an LA.

Looking at a diamond void, East could just as easily imagine that West has a bunch of them and was thinking about hitting 3♦, particularly since NS are vulnerable. That suggests wastage in his hand, which suggests passing.

So if one reason for the hitch suggests passing, while another suggests bidding, East is off the hook and can do whatever he likes.

[sigvil]

It was wrong information that EW play strong Club. 1H is 5+ H, 12-21 HCP.

[Trinidad]

What does the BIT show? Maybe West was thinking of doubling the vulnerable opponents in 3♦. So, I do not think that the BIT demonstrably suggested bidding on.

If you want to know whether pass is an LA, you should conduct a poll (among East's peers). I am probably not one of East's peers, but my contribution to the poll is that I wouldn't pass. 2♣ combined to raising hearts is a forward going action. It means that responder could envision a slam opposite the right East hand (otherwise West would have bid 4♥ immediately). When East indeed has a maximum that is very suitable for slam purposes, he should give a little push by bidding.

Rik