Re: Quick question for any directors out there please.

Peter Smulders wrote:
> Rob Morris wrote:
>> A glance at the relevant EBU handbook suggests openings that don't
>>  meet the rule of *eighteen* (at this level of play) are regulated
>>  by banning any artificial calls in the subsequent auction.
> 
> You missed the point that the 1997 laws limit the power of SO's to 
> "initial actions at the one level to be made with a hand of a king or
>  more below average strength". So the Orange Book seems illegal under
>  the old laws.

Okay, I'm not sure I really know enough to debate this point, but here
is Law 40D of the 1997 laws:

D. Regulation of Conventions
     The sponsoring organization may regulate the use of bidding or play
conventions. Zonal organizations may, in addition, regulate partner****p
understandings (even if not conventional) that permit the partner****p's
initial actions at the one level to be made with a hand of a king or
more below average strength. Zonal organizations may delegate this
responsibility.
~~~~~
And here's what the Orange Book says:

In general the Laws only permit the regulation of conventional bids. The
WBF Laws Committee has interpreted the powers in Law 40D so that
sponsoring organisations can make certain non-conventional bids nearly
unplayable by regulating artificial calls in the subsequent auction.
[...]
10 E 4  Level 3 only
(a)  A partner****p may agree to open in 1st or 2nd seat a natural one of
a suit that may be weaker than Rule of 18 by agreement, but only if it
does not agree to play ANY artificial calls in the subsequent auction
after an opening made with such an agreement. Furthermore, no such
opening is allowed by agreement on 7 HCP or fewer.

~~~~~

So here are two hands that don't meet the Rule of 18:
(a)
AK962
T9876
62
2
....and...
(b)
AK962
JT98
62
72
It seems to me that (a) is a King below average strength and could be
regulated in any way presuming the relevant zonal organisation has
delegated its authority, while (b) is *not* a King below average
strength - but if you agree to open it at EBU level 2, 3 or 4 you are
not allowed to play any artificial bids at all in any subsequent
auction.  Which... is what I said in the first place?