QUIZ 4:   16 Sep 2019

The situation:

W     N     E     S
1C    1D    P    Dble
DIRECTOR!

This occurred at The Links previous Saturday.  You (the TD) take South aside and ask her what her intentions were and she tells you that she wants to make a negative double showing both majors.

QUIZ:   Your ruling please?
[please state the exact law number(s)]

 

SOLUTION:

Let us discuss this incident in stages: First we go to the definitions.  Double  -  a call over an opponent’s bid increasing the scoring value of fulfilled or defeated contracts (see Laws 19A and 77).   Law 19:  A. Doubles 1. A player may double only the last preceding bid. That bid must have been made by an opponent; calls other than pass must not have intervened. Definition of a Bid  -  an undertaking to win at least a specified number of odd tricks (tricks in excess of six) in a specified denomination.   Since the last preceding bid was made by partner (1D) the double is thus illegal.   Do remember that PASS is not a bid.  The law that deals with this infraction is Law 36 (not 26) - see opposite. What the TD should do now First explain that the double is illegal and is thus not allowed; The offender can substitute a legal call, the auction continues, and (penalty) partner must pass whenever it is his turn to call; Law 72C will not apply here as it was in section C at The Links, where the offender was not aware that the double was inadmissable; The law states that the lead restriction in 26B may apply, if the offender's side defends.

LAW 36 - INADMISSIBLE DOUBLES AND REDOUBLES B. Offender’s LHO does not Call before Rectification any double or redouble not permitted by Law 19 is cancelled. the offender must substitute a legal call, the auction continues, and the offender’s partner must pass whenever it is his turn to call. Law 72C may apply. The lead restrictions in Law 26B may apply. if the call is out of turn the auction reverts to the player whose turn it was to call, the offender may make any legal call at his turn, and his partner must pass whenever it is his turn to call. Law 72C may apply. The lead restrictions in Law 26B may apply. Law 26 B. Lead Restrictions When an offending player’s call is withdrawn... ... then if he becomes a defender declarer may, at the offender’s partner’s first turn to lead (which may be the opening lead) prohibit offender’s partner from leading any (one) suit which has not been specified in the legal auction by the offender. Such prohibition continues for as long as the offender’s partner retains the lead. Mailshot:   Congratulations goes out to ASHTON EMERY who submitted the best and correct comprehensive solution.

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