(short description of image)APPEAL no. 18

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Appeals Committee
Chairman (short description of image)Bobby Wolff USA
Members (short description of image)Grattan Endicott
(short description of image)Virgil Anderson
(short description of image)George Retek
(short description of image)Jean-Louis Derivery
(short description of image)Tommy Sandsmark
GBR
USA
CAN
GDL
NOR

Scribe (short description of image)Tommy Sandsmark NOR

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Event
1998 World Championships
Rosenblum Cup Qualifying
   
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Countries
Italy v Great Britain
   
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Players
NS (short description of image)Buratti (short description of image)Lanzarotti
EW (short description of image)Fawcett (short description of image)Liggins
   
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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 (short description of image) 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
   
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Result
4ª*-2: -300
   
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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.
   
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TD's
Decision
For the reasons above, the TD let the table result stand.

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Appellants
E/W
   
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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.

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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.
   
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Committee's
Decision
The score was changed to 4© by West making 11 tricks; +650 E/W.
   
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Relevant
Laws
   
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Deposit
Returned X
Forfeited  


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