Declarer wants to change his card

[barmar]

Not if what they're actually doing is illegal, unless you're of the school that (apparently) believes that "it's a game; if the players do something outside the rules, change the rules to match what they do".

Sometimes that's the right solution. If a rule is arbitrary, and what the players actually do doesn't make the game worse (and possibly makes it better), why not change the rule to satisfy the players?

 

The Laws are not set in stone, they weren't handed down by an infallible authority.

[blackshoe]

I always thought Edgar was widely believed to be infallible - or nearly so. :lol:

 

I do understand your point, and I agree, with the caveat that changing the rules to suit the players isn't always the right way to go (a point you also made) — and it is certainly not the way to go for a TD at the table.

[bluejak]

Sometimes that's the right solution. If a rule is arbitrary, and what the players actually do doesn't make the game worse (and possibly makes it better), why not change the rule to satisfy the players?

What one person sees as an obvious improvement, another person thinks makes it worse or is unnecessary.

[barmar]

What one person sees as an obvious improvement, another person thinks makes it worse or is unnecessary.

Of course, it's hard to please everyone. I'm sure there were many who objected when they changed the scoring for doubled undertricks.

[aguahombre]

Of course, it's hard to please everyone. I'm sure there were many who objected when they changed the scoring for doubled undertricks.

It certainly changed Bridge. I liked the switch, because we were in the fuddy-duddy camp even when younger. But, under the old scoring, there was some interesting mixed strategy available to the strong side when red vs. white.

 

Semi-bluffing to collect 700-1100 vs 650 was fun when successful, and embarrassing when they didn't bite.

[pran]

It certainly changed Bridge. I liked the switch, because we were in the fuddy-duddy camp even when younger. But, under the old scoring, there was some interesting mixed strategy available to the strong side when red vs. white.

 

Semi-bluffing to collect 700-1100 vs 650 was fun when successful, and embarrassing when they didn't bite.

The main problem with the old scoring for doubled undertricks white was that against red you only needed two tricks to safely sacrifice against any grand (except 7NT of course)!

 

It was felt that this too often simply made a joke of the game.

[aguahombre]

The main problem with the old scoring for doubled undertricks white was that against red you only needed two tricks to safely sacrifice against any grand (except 7NT of course)!

 

It was felt that this too often simply made a joke of the game.

Yes, that is true. I was commenting on extensions from that fact and the counter-games the red side used to play. That scoring change, and one other (to combat striped tail ape doubles) were definitely good things.