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Failure to alert 'Fourth Suit Forcing'

Hand played on:	23/05/2013
Board number / section:	11
Dealer:	South
Vulnerability:	Love All

The Hands and the Bidding

	North ♠A732 ♥Q64 ♦T65 ♣J86
West ♠KQ95 ♥AKT3 ♦2 ♣AT43		East ♠T4 ♥5 ♦AKQ983 ♣KQ97		The Bidding
	South ♠J86 ♥J9872 ♦J74 ♣52			North No No No Double	East 1♦ 2♠ (1) 6♣ End	South No No No	West 1♣ 1♥ 4♠ No

Footnotes:

1. Not alerted

Description:

West bid 2♠ - intending it as "Fourth Suit Forcing". East did not alert since, it transpired, she thought that it was natural. However, East / West have system notes, which state that 1♠ in these circumstances is not Fourth Suit Forcing, but rather 2♠ is. In accordance with the agreed system notes, West bid 2♠ as fourth suit forcing. East 'forgot the system' and took it as natural, and hence didn't alert it and indeed raised to 4♠.

Analysis:

The question is whether the failure to alert 'damaged' North / South. Without the alert, North was entitled to deduce that both opponents held at least 4 spades each, and therefore, on lead and holding Axxx in spades he could see his side winning the first two tricks courtesy of the ♠ followed by a spade ruff.

It is worth noting that many players would have foreseen the same defence from the North hand, but might have passed out 6♣ for fear of driving the opponents out of an 'impossible' 6♣ into a possible 6♠, which might make despite the bad break if the opponents have a double fit. However, in the absence of the alert, the bidding has given North clear indication that a double could be profitable.

The Ruling:

North has been damaged by the failure to alert, and therefore is entitled to withdraw the double. The hand should be 'wound back' to 6♣ undoubled, making twelve tricks, score 920.

Lessons for everyone:

1. There is still confusion in some players' eyes as to when an irregularity in the bidding - such as a failure to alert - should be pointed out. The rules are that if the irregularity has been perpetrated by either Declarer or Dummy, then attention should be drawn before the opening lead is selected. If the fault lies with either Defender then attention should be drawn immediately after the conclusion of the play of the hand, when the Director should be called.
2. Think twice before doubling opponents' slam, especially if you are certain it will fail due to a bad break or bad lie of the cards. Your opponents may successfully rescue the situation into an altenative making slam.