Law 25A1 - Unintended call. How often is the wool pulled over our eyes?
This arose out of a link on another thread, but I thought it worth giving it its own thread.
How often do you refuse a claim of "mechanical error"?
I reckon I refuse about half of them.
Sometimes they just don't realise what mechanical error is, but sometimes they're trying to be cute.
Comments
Online or f2f. Online it is more likely to be mechanical error since if you click your call then the response is instantaneous (I always advise players to select =- confirm calls). F2F I suspect it will be a change of mind since you normally see the card(s) you pull out of the bidding box. When I misbid I can see the wrong card is being pulled and advise the table e.g. "This is hearts" when the spade bid comes out as well.
The two Ps: propinquity and possibility come to mind. Are the two calls close (in either the X or Y direction) together and is there a possibility that the player has become confused e.g. whether the changed call could have had the same or similar meaning to the call actually made. e.g. bidding 2 hearts when 1NT is doubled intended as a runout and partner says "Spades" (correctly) taking it as a transfer?
I find it intriguing that the commentary to the laws suggests a very high standard of "proof" ("The TD should only decide it was unintended if he is convinced that the player never, not even for a split second, wanted to make that call.") This would be almost impossible to meet.
Equally, I have heard a panel TD say "We tend to believe people when they say they have made an unintended call".