APPEAL no. 18 |

Appeals Committee
Chairman | Bobby Wolff | USA
Members | Grattan Endicott Virgil Anderson George Retek Jean-Louis Derivery Tommy Sandsmark | GBR USA CAN GDL NOR
Scribe | Tommy Sandsmark | NOR

Event
1998 World Championships
Rosenblum Cup | Qualifying
Countries
Italy | v | Great Britain
Players
NS | Buratti | Lanzarotti
EW | Fawcett | Liggins
Board
Board 6. Dealer East. EW Game
| ª | 9 7 5 |
© | 8
¨ | A Q 10 5 4
§ | 8 5 4 2
ª | K 10 6 2 |  | ª | 3
© | A K Q J 10 | © | 7 6 5 4 3
¨ | 8 | ¨ | 9 7 2
§ | K 10 9 | § | A Q 7 6
| ª | A Q J 8 4 |
© | 9 2
¨ | K J 6 3
§ | J 3
West |  | North |  | East |  | South
|  |  |  | Pass |  | 1ª
2© |  | 2ª |  | 4© |  | Pass¹
Pass |  | 4ª |  | Pass |  | Pass
Dble |  | All Pass |  |  |  |
¹ Alleged slow pass
Result
4ª*-2: -300
Facts
The TD was called to the table before the double regarding a slow pass by South. The TD found the pass to be slow, but not out of tempo because of the preemptive nature of the auction. In addition, 1) It is not clear within the laws that a hesitation has occurred. 2) It is not totally clear that the delay in passing over the tray was caused by South. 3) The 4ª action was not that hazardous in the eyes of the TD.
TD's Decision
For the reasons above, the TD let the table result stand.

Appellants
E/W
Players' Comments
North stated that a 5-3-3-2 distribution on South's hand was excluded, for that hand would be opened 1NT. Thus, South had to hold an unbalanced hand. South maintained that owing to the fact that his partner would know that he held an unbalanced minimum opening hand, he had passed. North therefore bid 4ª. South did not agree to any hesitation and North stated that he would always bid 4ª with this hand, regardless of any hesitation. West claimed that the hesitation was at least 20 seconds, and West passed immediately, believing that 4© would be the contract. He had planned to double 4ª while South was contemplating. He absolutely denied the TD's statement that there might have been some doubt as to whom the pause could be referred back to.

Committee's Comments
The Committee did find a significant break in tempo to have occurred, and since North clearly had a logical alternative for his 4ª bid.
Committee's Decision
The score was changed to 4© by West making 11 tricks; +650 E/W.
Relevant Laws
—
Deposit
Returned | X
Forfeited |

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