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MISINFORMATION? YES - SCORE ADJUSTMENT? NO!!

Hand played on:	22/11/2012
Board number / section:	25
Dealer:	North
Vulnerability:	East / West

The Hands and the Bidding

	North ♠K J 9 6 5 4 ♥- ♦Q J 9 8 4 3 ♣T
West ♠T 3 ♥K 7 2 ♦A T 6 5 ♣A 9 7 5		East ♠Q ♥A T 9 6 4 3 ♦- ♣K Q J 8 3 2		The Bidding
	South ♠A 8 7 2 ♥Q J 8 5 ♦K 7 2 ♣6 4			North 1♦1 4♦	East 3♣2 4♥	South 3♦ X	West 3♥3 End

Footnotes:

1. An odd choice of opening bid! Strictly, this hand does not meet the minimum requirements for a 1 of a suit opening - it should have 9+ HCPs. If you are going to stretch a point, why not open 1♠?
2. Alerted and explained as 'hearts and spades'; clearly it was in fact 'hearts and clubs', as per the partnership agreement.
3. No evidence of 'fielding' the misinformation

Description:

North led a small spade against 4♥ doubled; Declarer lost one spade and two trumps and so made the contract.

Analysis:

An adjusted score is awarded if:

1. Misinformation was given; AND
2. It can be shown that 'damage' was caused to the opponents as a result

On this particular board it is absolutely clear that misinformation was given: East's bid was explained as 'hearts and spades' when in fact it contained, as per the system agreement, hearts and clubs. It is not obvious that the misinformation actually contributed to North / South's woes on the board - the final contract was in hearts and East's hand did actually contain hearts. South argued that she wouldn't have doubled if she had known that the East hand did not contain spades; I cannot see the logic behind that comment. South has doubled 4♥ holding QJxx of trumps, the Ace of spades, and having heard partner's original opening bid. I cannot see what difference it makes whether Dummy's second suit is clubs or spades; if South's spades had included some 'stuffing' to go along with the Ace, she might have had a point, but given the holding she actually had I cannot see that it is relevant.

North said that he wouldn't have led a spade in the absence of the misinformation; on any lead other than a spade, Declarer can 'ditch' Dummy's singleton spade on the ♦A, so Declarer would make an overtrick. I wouldn't advise pursuing that argument...

In fact, I think questions could be asked about North's original opening bid, which doesn't meet the minimum strength in terms of high card points as defined in the Orange Book; if you are going to stretch a point and open it with one of a suit, why not bid the 6-card spade suit first?

The Ruling:

No adjustment is appropriate.

Lessons for everyone:

Remember that an adjusted score will only be awared if it is clear BOTH that misinformation was given AND that the false information 'damaged' the opponents; 'damage' could be an impact on the bidding. or on Declarer play or on the defence.