Talking Bridge ....
Asking questions during the auction
Paragraph 3.4.1. of the EBU Orange book starts:
The right to ask questions is not a licence to do so without consequence
The Laws say that during the auction, at his turn to call, a player may request a full explanation of the opponents' auction.
So, what's the problem?
The problem is that when a player asks a question (even if a bid has been alerted) it is assumed that he has a reason for asking at that time i.e. that he may well have values not yet shown.
This is "unauthorised information" (UI) for your partner, who must now be careful to avoid taking any advantage from it.
If he now enters the auction with anything other than the most obvious of bids, the Director can and often will adjust the result in your opponents' favour.
So the message is:
However curious you are during the auction, don't ask questions at that stage unless it could affect your actions…wait until the auction is over! |
Or, in the words of the Orange Book, (Note to 3.4.1):
If, at your turn to call, you do not need to have a call explained, it is in your interest to defer all questions until either you are about to make the opening lead or your partner's lead is face down on the table |
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