[Vampyr]

Also the opponents' behaviour was very irregular.

[Hobartian]

To Barman

Your post at 9.25 was not nice to me. I would imagine this forum was established for those interested in the ins and outs of bridge and I can see no need to use the language or make the assumptions that you did in this post.

However, you seemed to have reflected on things and posted again at 9.52 and the content of that post is quite reasonable and I understand what you are saying. Never-the-less it would seem the rules could be changed so players are not disadvantaged in cases like this. When North bid 2D he knew that his opponents had a nine card heart fit which is something I did not know. Perhaps his 2D bid was to stop me making a transfer or maybe he meant to bid 2 spades. The only other possibility was that he psyched.

[billw55]

Hobartian, on 2013-April-11, 10:51, said:

When North bid 2D he knew that his opponents had a nine card heart fit which is something I did not know. Perhaps his 2D bid was to stop me making a transfer or maybe he meant to bid 2 spades. The only other possibility was that he psyched.

Those are not the only possibilities. Perhaps he thought (at the moment he bid it) that 2♦ showed (1) spades and diamonds specifically (2) diamonds and another suit (3) any two suits (4) any three suits (5) artificial club raise ... etc. There are many possibilities. Nobody seems to have asked him what he intended at that moment. The only thing we know for sure is that it was not both majors. (edit: unless he psyched)

[wyman]

On the plus side, I've now learned the word "skullduggery."

[bluejak]

ahydra, on 2013-April-11, 04:12, said:

I've always had system notes - even with pick-up partners I'd at least fill in the front of my scorecard. 99% of the players at my club do the same. A lot of clubs say that you must play simple system if you don't have a CC. I agree with your last sentence, but the Law does say one should rule Mistaken Explanation by default unless evidence to the contrary can be produced - and I don't think relying on (possibly self-serving) verbal evidence from the OS should count. Given one can fill in the front of a scorecard before play starts, I'd say lack of a CC would normally equal lack of evidence. (Edit: of course, this may not be status quo wrt CCs in OP's club. What I'm saying is that it's hardly unreasonable to expect players to have at least some minimal written notes about their agreements)

I don't equate system notes with a system card. They are not the same.

It is just not right to tell TDs they cannot decide what constitutes adequate evidence. If the WBFLC does not do so, and the EBU and EBL training does not say so, I am sorry, but your assertion "no system notes=misinformation" is just not enough. Let TDs and ACs do their job and decide what is adequate in any particular situation.