Opening the bidding with a Double
It did happen, 2nd in hand after a Pass.
Fortunately nothing said about what the doubler thought had been opened.
The double was corrected to 1H the bidding proceeded normally 1H - 1S - 1NT 15-16 .... so no problem.
After the Double some opening bids would immediately convey UI, e.g. 1NT = 10-12
and an unlikely one 4S = a V. strong 4S.
As the bidding develops it may be that inferences can be drawn e.g.
opener won't have a minimum 5-5
1C - 1S - 2C probably not 6 Clubs.
So still possible UI for the (overworked) playing TD to consider ?
Fortunately nothing said about what the doubler thought had been opened.
The double was corrected to 1H the bidding proceeded normally 1H - 1S - 1NT 15-16 .... so no problem.
After the Double some opening bids would immediately convey UI, e.g. 1NT = 10-12
and an unlikely one 4S = a V. strong 4S.
As the bidding develops it may be that inferences can be drawn e.g.
opener won't have a minimum 5-5
1C - 1S - 2C probably not 6 Clubs.
So still possible UI for the (overworked) playing TD to consider ?
Comments
There is a problem, which is that the appropriate law was not applied. If it had been, there wouldn't be this concern about UI.
LAW 36 - INADMISSIBLE DOUBLES AND REDOUBLES
A. Offender’s LHO Calls before Rectification
If offender’s LHO calls before rectification of an inadmissible
double or redouble the inadmissible call and all subsequent
calls are cancelled. The auction reverts to the player whose
turn it was to call and proceeds as though there had been no
irregularity. The lead restrictions in Law 26B do not apply.
B. Offender’s LHO does not Call before Rectification
When A does not apply:
1. any double or redouble not permitted by Law 19 is
cancelled.
2. the offender must substitute a legal call, the auction
continues, and the offender’s partner must pass
whenever it is his turn to call.
3. Law 72C may apply. The lead restrictions in Law 26B
may apply.
4. if the call is out of turn the auction reverts to the
player whose turn it was to call, the offender may
make any legal call at his turn, and his partner must
pass whenever it is his turn to call. Law 72C may
apply. The lead restrictions in Law 26B may apply.
C. Irregularity Discovered after the Auction Period
When attention is drawn to an inadmissible double or
redouble only after the opening lead has been faced, the
final contract is scored as if the inadmissible call had not
been made.
I'll mention that to the Director who perhaps got distracted by the hilarity at the table.
Easily done. I heard of a table who played out a hand in NT after four passes and then wanted to know how to score it!