New Laws

New Laws

In Shanghai October 2007

the WBF adopted new laws.

In most European countries

these new laws will be implemented

in August/September

this year. it is important

to pay some attention

to the changes. Since we use screens many applications

of irregularities are waived, the respective

laws having no meaning. This article deals with some

changes that are important for the players in this

event.

The dummy has to put his cards on the table in

columns lengthwise and in descending order towards

declarer. No alternative is allowed.

Players should put their played cards in a won or

lost position in an orderly row. When a player puts

such card in the wrong position his partner is allowed

to notify him until the lead is made to the next

trick. When this is done too late it creates unauthorized

information which might result in an adjusted

score.

Defenders may (again) ask each other about a possible

revoke in the current trick.

Only unintended calls may be changed up till the

next call from partner. A call made as a result of a slip

of the mind may not be changed anymore.

All players are entitled to try to prevent an irregularity

made by one of the other players. Up till now

only the dummy had that right and only towards his

own partner/declarer.

A pair that has agreed with a claim made by one of

its opponents and later discovers that it likely would

have won an extra trick will be awarded that trick

(within the given protest time).

A defender should not make a claim when the success

of it depends on his partner's cooperation in

playing a specific card from alternative (normal)

choices.

If play continues after a claim (which is not allowed

in the laws), evidence appearing in that continuation

may be used by the TD to decide the result on the

board.

When adjusting a score the TD strives for equitable

results, which often will be accomplished by assigning

a weighted score, taking into account the probabilities

of several reasonable outcomes. This is already

common procedure in championships but is now described

in detail in the laws.

Ton Kooijman