Dummy playing
Apologies, I cannot imagine this has not been raised before but my searches failed to find it.
If Dummy plays a card without declarer indicating their choice then what are the consequences?
I know the Dummy should not do this but don't know how it is rectified.
The worst case scenario - which prompted my query - Dummy's hand is void in the suit played by Declarer and without instruction Dummy discards because they know the led card is a Master but the less experienced Declarer might well have ruffed. Can Defenders demand it be ruffed? Or insist on a particular discard?
What rectification should a Director impose for this behaviour if it appears to be a one-off instance rather than Dummy deliberately and repeatedly taking over from their less experienced Declarer?
Comments
Well, the defenders can't demand it be ruffed. But they might get a director adjustment along those lines. We're looking at Law 45, specifically here Law 45 F Dummy indicates a card, which finishes " At the end of play the director shall award an adjusted score if he considers dummy suggested a play to declarer and the defenders were damaged by the play suggested".
Law 45 D on dummy picks up a non designated card is also relevant, to paraphrase a little bit unless both sides have played to the next trick it's not a played card and can be retracted. Also the various laws on dummy's rights.
The director should consider separately A) whether to adjust the board, based upon whether it seemed likely declarer would discard. Non offending side getting benefit of any doubt B) whether to impose a procedural penalty on dummy, possibly in the form of a warning. This would depend quite a bit upon circumstance. I'd nearly always give a warning, since this is something they really shouldn't be doing. But probably not more, there'd have to be aggravating circumstances.
Very helpful. Thank you