APPEAL no. 44 |

Appeals Committee
Chairman | Rich Colker | USA
Members | Eric Kokish David Stevenson | CAN GBR
Scribe | David Stevenson | GBR

Event
1998 World Championships
Open Pairs | Qualifying
Countries
Austria | v | Israel
Players
NS | Bamberger | Terraneo
EW | Safiv | Poplivov
Board
Board 13. Dealer North. Game All
| ª | Q 8 7 6 |
© | J 3
¨ | K 9 3 2
§ | 8 5 4
ª | 3 |  | ª | K 2
© | A K 6 | © | Q 9 8 7 5 2
¨ | 10 7 5 4 | ¨ | Q 6
§ | A K J 9 3 | § | 7 6 2
| ª | A J 10 9 5 4 |
© | 10 4
¨ | A J 8
§ | Q 10
West |  | North |  | East |  | South
|  | Pass |  | 2¨¹ |  | 2ª
Dble² |  | Pass |  | 3© |  | Pass
4© |  | All Pass |  |  |  |
¹ Multi ² Alerted
Result
4©=: -620
Facts
West meant the double as takeout, to be passed if East had spades. East explained it as penalties. East's English was very poor. The convention card showed Negative doubles through 2ª.
TD's Decision
4ª doubled minus one, N/S -200. Laws 21B3, 40C.

Appellants
N/S
Players' Comments
East explained that the double showed "cards". She had difficulty making herself understood. North said that East had used the word "Punitivo": otherwise he would have raised, at least to 4ª. He did not look at the convention card. South said that the adjustment to 4ª doubled did not allow for the possibilities of the opponents failing to double 4ª or even bidding 5©: West would have a difficult decision.

Committee's Comments
The Committee said that more care should be used when describing this double. When there are language difficulties, the players should always write explanations down, and more use should be made of the convention card. However, North/South had received a very favourable ruling anyway, and for them to ask for more was inconceivable, as it was for Oliver Twist!
Committee's Decision
4ª doubled minus one, N/S -200.
Relevant Laws
Law 21 B3, Law 40 C
Deposit
Returned |
Forfeited | X

Return to Top of page | To main Championship page