APPEAL no. 28 |

Appeals Committee
Chairman | Bobby Wolff | USA
Members | George Retek Rich Colker Eric Kokish David Stevenson | CAN USA CAN GBR
Scribe | David Stevenson | GBR

Event
1998 World Championships
Rosenblum Cup | Qualifying
Countries
Switzerland | v | France
Players
NS | Weiss | Wunderli
EW | Leenhardt | Dechelette
Board
Board 24. Dealer West. Love All
| ª | Q 8 |
© | 6 5 2
¨ | A 7 6 5 2
§ | A 8 4
ª | 9 6 |  | ª | K J 7 4
© | A 10 9 4 3 | © | Q 8 7
¨ | 10 9 8 | ¨ | K 9 3
§ | J 9 2 | § | 7 6 5
| ª | A 10 5 3 2 |
© | K J
¨ | Q J
§ | K Q 10 3
West |  | North |  | East |  | South
Pass |  | Pass |  | Pass |  | 1NT¹
Pass |  | 2§ |  | Pass |  | 2ª
Pass |  | 3NT |  | All Pass |  |
¹ Could have a 5 card major
Result
3NT+1: +430
Facts
2§ was alerted on the N/E side of the screen only. In answer to a question, South described the sequence as 'normally showing four hearts', although it is not clear whether West understood that the word 'normally' had been used. It is clear from the convention cards that 2§ does not show a major.
TD's Decision
Table result stands. Laws 75C and General Conditions #5

Appellants
E/W
Players' Comments
North and South did not attend the hearing. West spoke very little English. East and one of the Committee members as interpreted for him most of the time. According to the Appeals Form, South agreed he did not alert 2§, and West said he would have checked the convention card had he been alerted. Then he would have led a heart. The reason for not alerting was because 2§ does show interest in a major, though it might only be 3 cards looking for five cards in the opening hand. East said 2§ was initially Stayman for four card suits. West believed that North had shown four hearts.

Committee's Comments
The Committee believed that West would have been significantly more likely to have led a heart if the explanation of 2§ had indicated that North could have held as few as three hearts on this sequence. Dissenting opinion (Bobby Wolff): Even with the misinformation the heart lead looks best, so while it is suitable that N/S should lose 50, E/W should only get part of the benefit of this adjustment. The Chairman had to leave before the final decision was promulgated, so the Acting Chairman issued it.
Committee's Decision
Score adjusted to 3NT minus one, N/S -50, for both sides, per Laws 12C2 and 40C.
Relevant Laws
Law 12 C2, Law 40C
Deposit
Returned | X
Forfeited |

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