This page contains "The Devil is in the Details" Articles originally found on page 1.  Sequentially they provide several looks into a topic.  The purpose is to explore topics at a deeper level and encourage research and learning from available resources.  

This page contains "The Devil is in the Details" Articles originally found on page 1.  Sequentially they provide several looks into a topic.  The purpose is to explore topics at a deeper level and encourage research and learning from available resources. ..........

Unauthorized Information (UI) may occur in both bidding and play.  Pursuant to Law 16B a player with UI has restrictions placed upon him which go beyond "act ethically" or simply "ignore" the UI.  The director has specific duties in administering UI events such as uneven tempo in an auction or knowledge about a specific card in partner’s hand.  A player's obligation centers upon the concept of Logical Alternatives.  We all know the game of bridge consists of many choices presented in a way choosing one course most often precludes another.  Rarely is there only one way forward.  The choices are called "Logical Alternatives."  The prohibition imposed by Law 16B is a player may not select an alternative bid or play when such bid or play was suggested by the UI.   One example of UI is your partner breaks tempo in an auction for no apparent reason.  A significant hesitation before passing suggests a hand with some values.  When the auction returns to the non hesitating partner they may not select an action suggested by a partner with some values.  This would be the case even if most players without the UI would consider and even select that course of action. The Typical Case 1♦ 1♥ {PAUSE] Pass Pass .... Your call ... 

You have a hand 4-V-5-4 with11 HCP points.  Your logical alternative bids include 1♠, 2♣s, 2♦s, and Pass.  The bids of 1♠ and 2♣s are suggested in part by the hesitation and should be barred by Law 16.  2♦s may not be a bid suggested by values in partner's hand nor is the alternative of Pass.  Now take a very slightly different auction. 1♣ 1♥ [PAUSE] Pass Pass This time you opened clubs 5-5 in the minors with 19 HCP and shortness in both majors your intention was to reverse into Diamonds no matter what happened.  (other than P P P.)  When you consider your options over the Opponent's 1♥, Pass is no longer a logical alternative bid.  There is no conflict while having UI based upon the hesitation there are no logical alternative bids.  You therefore bid 2♦s.  Now if the auction continues 2♥ P P ???   Now, Pass is back in the list of logical alternatives which may be considered by some players, and you may NOT select a bid suggested by the hesitation, even if the majority of players considering pass versus a repeat of the Clubs would select Clubs.

Here is another example.  You and your partner have agreed to play Liebensohl  over Opponents' weak twos.  

West may not make any bid suggested by the UI which is East has forgotten Liebensohl. West may not bid his long suit hoping East wakes up and passes. In addition West must inform the defender on lead before the opening lead is turned over about the missed alert. There are several things which could happen at this point and summunsing the Director to the table is the best initial action. The Director may allow the facedown opening lead to be changed. Further the Director may ask North (the last defender to pass) if he would have made a different bid had a timely alert been made.  In a proper case the Director may allow North to change his bid and the auction to continue with E-W both limited by UI.

Unauthorized Information (UI) may occur in both bidding and play.  Pursuant to Law 16B a player with UI has restrictions placed upon him which go beyond "act ethically" or simply "ignore" the UI.  The director has specific duties in administering UI events such as uneven tempo in an auction or knowledge about a specific card in partner’s hand. ..........