Post-mortem discussion

[CamHenry]

At the club last night, I picked up an uninspiring 4-4-3-2 3-count as dealer. After three passes, RHO opened a (slightly slow, but not very) 1♦; this was passed out. RHO is not a player known for her confident and decisive tempo, even when holding textbook hands, so I didn't think anything of the glitch: indeed, it barely registered.

 

Dummy struck with:

[hv=pc=n&n=sa32h65dat654c843]133|100[/hv]

 

I was slightly surprised that he hadn't bid, but was not overly worried at the time. Declarer proceeded to make the obvious 11 tricks, and the score went into the traveller. It was a cold top for us, because everyone else makes the same 11 tricks in 3NT. Next board? Not so. There's a post-mortem to hold first.

 

Declarer kicked matters off by saying "That's a bad board for us. We missed a game!" in tones of mild surprise, as if her 19-count 4333 wasn't likely to produce the goods opposite this dummy. Dummy responded with an apology, and I quote:

 

"I'm sorry partner, I misinterpreted your hesitation."

 

As a player, not a director, who has obviously gained from the infraction, what should I do:

- at a club night

- in a match played privately

- at a congress?

[ahydra]

Was dummy being serious? If not, no damage so nothing to do; if he/she was, then... well... Director please! (At any level of event)

 

ahydra

[mjj29]

As a congress director I would want to know - although since you got a good board anyway I'd understand if you did so away from the table. It shouldn't be too hard to excuse yourself. In a match played privately I don't think there's much you can do. Players shouldn't be lecturing each other on the rules, that causes other problems. In a club while there might not be a director on the night who can talk to them, someone must be able to (possibly on the committee). It's not acceptable at any level and on some of these boards they will gain an advantage.

 

Of course, there are people for whom talking to them won't make a difference, but that shouldn't stop us trying.

[helene_t]

Maybe it would be an option not to say anything but ask the TD to have a word with North afterwards.

[billw55]

I would laugh and say what a funny joke it was, perhaps commenting offhand that some people actually do that!

[CamHenry]

I would laugh and say what a funny joke it was, perhaps commenting offhand that some people actually do that!

 

I have a horrible suspicion that this particular gentleman would respond with "Eh? What?" and miss the message.

[gordontd]

Maybe he only bothers responding when he holds 13 cards.

[CamHenry]

Edited to give a full dummy, not a forum hand :-)

[billw55]

I have a horrible suspicion that this particular gentleman would respond with "Eh? What?" and miss the message.

Maybe now I'll try "No, I'm not kidding, some people don't know that interpreting partner's hesitation is against the rules. Amazing but true." I wonder how long I can keep this up with a straight face.

 

But if the next round is due I'll probably just move on.

[barmar]

Could North have been sarcastially indicating that he was punishing South for the hesitation? As long as it doesn't favor his side, no foul.

[CSGibson]

I'd pull north aside after the game and let him know that I was bothered by the comment, and why I was bothered. Someone who says what north said is obviously ignorant as opposed to malicious.

[RMB1]

I would try to work out if North was joking.

 

If not joking then:

- at a club night: speak to the TD away from the table

 

- in a match played privately: expect to win the match

 

- at a congress: perhaps call the TD, perhaps speak to the TD away from the table.

 

If I call the TD, I think I would go for the odd behaviour / spoiling enjoyment line:

"We weren't damaged but I don't think North should be saying things like that".