[bluejak]

Another query from a correspondent. What do you think?

Scoring: IMP

---

..W...N....E...S
.......3♥...P...4♥
.4♠..5♥.P#1.P
.5♠...P....P....P
#1 Agreed hesitation

Result 5♠ +1, NS -480.

The TD adjusted this to 5♥ -3, NS -300.

[helene_t]

I think pass is an LA and that 5♠ is suggested by the hesitation.

A short hesitation is probably normal tempo in this situation but if it was a BIT then I agree with the TD.

[G_R__E_G]

I think it's clear that W used the UI. For all W knows (without the UI) his partner could have a near zero count and S raised the 3♥ bid to 4♥ planning on making it and possibly more. If E did indeed have a zero count then W could be down 4 or 5 in 5♠. I'd definitely agree with the director's ruling.

[G_R__E_G]

On further review....why adjust to 5♥ down 3? Shouldn't it be just down 2?

[jdonn]

I think you can make a very interesting case that pass is not an LA if you want to. But I'd be most interested in hearing whether and how west tries to make that case.

[aguahombre]

G_R__E_G, on Mar 23 2010, 09:22 AM, said:

On further review....why adjust to 5♥ down 3?  Shouldn't it be just down 2?

down 2 + an extra for spite, maybe. Promoting the heart seven

[jeremy69]

5S seems to be based on UI. Pass is definitely a logical alternative.
8 hearts and a spade seem completely normal to me in 5H so I can't think what the TD was doing awarding -3 unless I am missing something

[wank]

i would say the pass suggests doubling (clearly just extra after a 4S call), not 5S - partner can have a borderline penaly X in which case 5S is likely converting a plus into a minus. there's no reason to assume partner's supposed defensive values will be sufficient to make 5S or indeed be of any value at all in spades.

as such i'd say result stands.