[pescetom]

blackshoe, on 2019-May-23, 08:42, said:

There seems to be a trend these days to bring up ethics in almost all situations where an infraction has occurred. That trend should be abandoned. There is rarely an ethical problem in these cases, and when there is not, bringing ethics up can only make the problem worse.

It seems to me that the only possible ethical issue in this case is that the alert of the insufficient call might have been intended to force partner to explain his bid, for one reason or another. But I doubt that is so and in any case both assume 4NT is Blackwood.

[blackshoe]

pescetom, on 2019-May-23, 11:24, said:

- playing in a federal tournament without a Convention Card (national rules)
- failure to alert a conventional bid in first round of bidding (national rules)
- alert of a bid beyond 3NT not in the first round of bidding (national rules).
Plus any possible infractions to Laws related to insufficient bid and replacement thereof.

Your OP said this was a club game. Doesn't seem surprising that a club director would ignore that stuff.

[Vampyr]

blackshoe, on 2019-May-23, 18:43, said:

Your OP said this was a club game. Doesn't seem surprising that a club director would ignore that stuff.

The club directors where you live must be badly under-qualified.

[pran]

Vampyr, on 2019-May-24, 00:13, said:

The club directors where you live must be badly under-qualified.

Or honourably human?

OP described NS as "weak", and apparently not much experienced.
You don't keep such players coming to the club again by throwing the laws at them on any irregularity however insignificant.
Friendly education is much better.

[blackshoe]

Let me put it this way: I wouldn't expect any club director here to be directing a national or international tournament any time soon. Even if every ACBL and WBF director retired tomorrow.

Friendly education is much better, but that doesn't mean anyone should be given a free pass. So, first time offense, educate. Second time, well, "I told you yesterday why you should (not) do that. The rectification is <whatever it is>".