APPEAL no. 3 |

Appeals Committee
Chairman | Joan Gerard | USA
Members | Chris Compton Jean-Louis Derivery Barbara Nudelman David Stevenson | USA GDL USA GBR
Scribe | David Stevenson | GBR

Event
1998 World Championships
Mixed Pairs | Session 3
Countries
Belgium | v | Lebanon
Players
NS |  |
EW |  |
Board
Board 1. Dealer North. Love All
| ª | Q 6 |
© | 7 5
¨ | K 7 5
§ | A Q J 10 7 3
ª | K 8 3 |  | ª | A J 10 7 2
© | K Q 10 2 | © | J 9
¨ | J 9 8 3 | ¨ | A 6 4 2
§ | 9 8 | § | 6 4
| ª | 9 5 4 |
© | A 8 6 4 3
¨ | Q 10
§ | K 5 2
West |  | North |  | East |  | South
|  | 1§ |  | 1ª |  | Dble
2ª |  | 3§ |  | Pass |  | Pass
3ª |  | Pass |  | Pass |  | Dble
Pass |  | 4§ |  | All Pass |  |
Result
4§-1: -50
Facts
The second double by South was after an agreed hesitation. The TD was called at the end of the auction and recalled at the end of the hand. South's first double was negative: promised hearts or extra values.
TD's Decision
3ª doubled by East making: -530 to N/S. Law 73.

Appellants
North/South appealed.
Players' Comments
The lady players did not attend the Committee hearing, one of them being unwell. North explained that South showed extra values by her second double. He said it could not have spades. Since he was minimum in defensive values he did not pass.

Committee's Comments
The Committee considered the reasons given for not passing the double were self-serving. When players hesitate they must expect the worst result if their partners have a choice of action available and choose one that could be suggested by the hesitation. While there was no doubt that North/South would receive -530, there was some consideration as to whether East/West should get the full +530 since certain defences make it difficult to get 9 tricks. The Committee also considered whether to keep the deposit, and it was a close decision to return it. The Committee commended the TD on his presentation of the case.
Committee's Decision
The Committee ruled: 3ª doubled by East making: -530 to N/S.
Relevant Laws
Law 73
Deposit
Returned | X
Forfeited |

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