Defensive Carding - Misinformation or not?
North leads, wins Trick 1 and continues same suit at Trick 2.
South follows with 8, then 4.
Declarer asks North about carding and is told 'we play standard count',
then chooses a line based on South having an even number, goes down when South has three cards, and calls TD.
What should TD do if:
a) N/S clearly state on their CCs that they play standard count and South forgot?
b) N/S clearly state on their CCs that they play standard attitude and North forgot?
c) N/S differ as to what their agreement is and their CCs do not make it clear?
Peter Bushby Suffolk
Comments
a) Consider it a false-card and live with it.
b) Misinformation... adjust the score
c) Misinformation... adjust the score
One practice I adhere to as declarer, when it's convenient and possible, is to wait a trick or two and then ask the person whose carding I'm interested in what the partnership signals are.
Note that the adjustment may be different in cases b) and c). Law 75D3 or somewhere thereabouts.