Sequence of events:
1H - (2C) - 1NT where the 1NT was bid not seeing the 2C bid;
Opponents now claim that the 1NT bid was insufficient, whereupon this happens -
1H - (2C) - 2H At this stage only was the TD called.
You arrive at the table.
QUIZ: Your ruling please?
SOLUTION:
The correct procedure is to call the TD ASAP after an infraction. Here, opponent was in a haste and thought 2H would "fix" everything. How wrong she was!
I cite Law 27C: (see RHS)
The "foregoing section" deals with the correction to a legal call and whether there are any penalties that have been incurred. Let us see...
- The corrected bid is not in the same denomination, so 27B1a (no penalties) does not apply
- Law 27B1b asks whether the corrected bid is a "comparable bid" and, if it is, there will not be any penalties;
- Else partner has to pass throughout and lead penalties apply as per law 26 and also see Law 23;
So now we have to determine if the insufficient 1NT and the corrected 2H bid are comparative calls. Whilst the point count is similar in both (6 - 9 points) the gist of the bids are distinctly different.
- 1NT can be made with Kxx, x, Kxxxx, Jxxx also!
- Whereas a bid of 2H defines the number of hearts as 3+ and 6-9 points.
- This is a 2H bid, yes? Kxx, Qxx, Jxxxx, x
- The effect of 1NT then 2H defines the hand as a balanced hand with Hx or xxx in hearts! (Hx = Honour-small)
- Can you see that 1NT then 2H is definitely not the same meaning as a direct 2H?
Conclusion: 2H is not a comparable call to the insufficient 1NT
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The pertinent Laws
Law 27C: Premature Replacement
If the offender replaces his insufficient bid before the Director has ruled on rectification... the Director applies the relevant foregoing section to the substitution.
Law27B: 1.
(a) if the insufficient bid is corrected by the lowest sufficient bid in the same denomination and in the Director's opinion both the insufficient bid and the substituted bid are incontrovertibly not artificial the auction proceeds without
further rectification. Law 16D does not apply;
(b) if, except as in (a), the insufficient bid is corrected with a legal call that in the Director's opinion has the same meaning* as, or a more precise meaning* than, the insufficient bid (such meaning being fully contained within the possible meanings of the insufficient bid) the auction proceeds without further rectification...
Law 27D. Non-offending Side Damaged.
If following the application of B1 the Director judges at the end of the play that without assistance gained through the infraction the outcome of the board could well have been different and in consequence the nonoffending side is damaged (see Law 12B1), he shall award an adjusted score. In his adjustment he should seek to recover as nearly as possible the probable outcome of the board had the insufficient bid not occurred.
Also read Laws 23 (player knowingly tries to use the laws to his advantage), and 26 (lead penalties)
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