cathel

I cannot disagree that this is an unusual system and can see flaws, but can also see advantages. NS were the other half of my team in a T4 match. Thank you for your comments and, if I may, add a couple more. Any pre-empt is designed to cause problems for the opponents and this certainly did! In this case, their system enabled them to reach a degree of understanding in so far as S knows his exact two options. A forcing pass gives three choices. (Which is the woolliest?) WellSpyder has read the situation perfectly and gszes goes one stage further by recognising the lawmen, which is what happened! At the other table the bidding was the same until 5♥ when everyone passed. This was unbeatable with any defence. 5♠ was 2 or 3 off against best defence following a Lightner double but it wasn't found by EW and so the contract made. Sadly, just as people back off at the call of "human rights" so do bridge officials when someone has the audacity to take a few moments to consider their options! Sorry, I meant "hesitate"!

[hv=pc=n&s=sakq3h7dj963ckq84&d=w&v=0&b=8&a=4hppdp4s5hppdp5sppp]133|200[/hv] N's double came after an agreed hesitation. NS do not play a forcing pass and N cannot make a penalty double in this situation so the N double means "I don't know whether we should take the penalty or play the contract so I leave it to you to decide ". His alternative bids are pass, 5♠, or a new suit. After the hand was over there followed a long discussion about the 5♠ bid after the hesitation. EW thought that N could have been influenced by the hesitation but NS countered by saying that, although N gave some thought, he did make a system bid with a clear meaning - it's your decision partner. The real point to this is that there would inevitably be a pause for thought before N makes his final bid and so whatever S does will be challenged if he makes the right decision. This, I believe, is not what the rules are there for. Of course, there are always two possibilities i.e. a logical alternative that must be considered and some may choose. After all, partner has already said that he cannot decide! I am very interested in the expert views - other than " change the system!"