What To Do When You Disagree With the Director Presentation: Anderson C. Williams MABU President

Directors are Human. They Sometimes Make Mistakes. It is a violation of bridge ethics and may get you suspended to get involved in verbal abuse of the director. It is a violation of bridge ethics and may get you suspended to get involved in verbal abuse of the director. There are some things you can do, however, that are quite acceptable as long as you do them in a courteous manner. There are some things you can do, however, that are quite acceptable as long as you do them in a courteous manner.

Matters of law If you believe the director has made a ruling that is not consistent with the rules, you can request that the director read the relevant law to you. If you believe the director has made a ruling that is not consistent with the rules, you can request that the director read the relevant law to you. If you believe that the director has misinterpreted the law you can politely explain your viewpoint. If you cannot reach agreement you can ask for a protest slip. If you believe that the director has misinterpreted the law you can politely explain your viewpoint. If you cannot reach agreement you can ask for a protest slip. Note you can protest interpretations of the law but you cannot protest the law itself Note you can protest interpretations of the law but you cannot protest the law itself

Issues that call for the director’s judgment There are some infractions that don’t require a specific penalty but call for the director to use his or her judgment There are some infractions that don’t require a specific penalty but call for the director to use his or her judgment –Example there is no specific penalty for failure to alert. The director must determine if the failure to alert damaged opponents and make appropriate adjustments. In these situations one can file a formal protest if one feels that the director’s action is not appropriate. In these situations one can file a formal protest if one feels that the director’s action is not appropriate.

Disputes about facts If opponents disagree about the facts the director may be summoned. If opponents disagree about the facts the director may be summoned. –Example correction of a card called from dummy. The rules allow declarer to change a card called from dummy provided it is done in the same breath. Opponents may disagree about whether the change was made in the same breath. Unless the evidence is clear the director will usually give the declarer the benefit of the doubt Unless there is clear evidence that the director erred these cases may not be appealed Unless there is clear evidence that the director erred these cases may not be appealed

Disputes about the score Occasionally the score on a board you have on your card will not agree with the score on the score sheet. This discrepancy should be called to the director’s attention as soon as possible. Occasionally the score on a board you have on your card will not agree with the score on the score sheet. This discrepancy should be called to the director’s attention as soon as possible. If the score on the sheet agrees with the score on the slip that was entered and signed, the director cannot change the score unless your opponents agree that the recorded score is incorrect. If the score on the sheet agrees with the score on the slip that was entered and signed, the director cannot change the score unless your opponents agree that the recorded score is incorrect.

Adjusted Scores A director may have to adjust scores for several reasons. A director may have to adjust scores for several reasons. –Players may have gained advantage from an infraction –Players may receive a penalty for slow play –A board may have been fouled and have to be thrown out If the director adjusts scores players may only protest the adjustment if it involves a possible misapplication of the law If the director adjusts scores players may only protest the adjustment if it involves a possible misapplication of the law

The Protest Procedure 1. The director is called 2. The director makes a ruling 3. You disagree politely and ask for a protest slip/appeal form 4. You briefly state the issue on the protest slip/appeal form 5. The director appoints a committee of people familiar with the law to hear the protest 6. The committee hears from both sides 7. The committee deliberates and comes to a decision to uphold or overturn the director’s action

Things you may not do when you disagree with the director Loudly or abusively argue with the director Loudly or abusively argue with the director Accuse the director of favoritism or incompetence Accuse the director of favoritism or incompetence Leave in the middle of the game Leave in the middle of the game Lobby committee members individually to side with you Lobby committee members individually to side with you

American Bridge Association Appeal Form American Bridge Association APPEAL FORM All appeals must be made through the director and no later than thirty minutes after the session in question ends. Screening/Hearings will take place immediately following the session or match. EVENT ______________________________DATE________SESSION______SECTION_____BOARD#_______ DIRECTOR IN CHARGE ___________________________________________APPEAL NO.__________ YOUR NAME_________________________________PLAYER#_______________DIRECTION_____PAIR#___ _ PARTNER NAME_____________________________ PLAYER#_______________DIRECTION_____PAIR#____ OPPONENT__________________________________PLAYER#_________DIRECTION_____PAIR#____ WAS THE DIRECTOR CALLED? __________WHO CALLED? ____________WHEN? _________________ DIRECTOR’S NAME________________________OTHER DIRECTOR INVOLVED____________________ DIRECTOR’S RULING____________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________

American Bridge Association Appeal Form (cont’d) RECORD COMPLETE HAND OR ATTACH HAND RECORD DEALER_________ VUL_______ OPENING LEAD___________ THE AUCTION S N E S W NORTH H ___ ___ ___ ___ D ___ ___ ___ ___ C ___ ___ ___ ___ S S ___ ___ ___ ___ WEST H EAST H ___ ___ ___ ___ D D C C RESULT _____________________ S SOUTH H D C

American Bridge Association Appeal Form (cont’d) APPELLANT’S REPORT/COMMENTS ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ SIGNATURE OF PLAYER FILING THE APPEAL____________________________________________________ PHONE No._____________________________ Room No.___________ Partner Signature___________________________________________ Yes, I concur with the appeal.________ NOTE: An appeal shall not be heard unless both members of a pair (except in individual contests) or the captain of a team agree the appeal should be made. An absent member shall be deemed to concur. Law 92D

American Bridge Association Appeal Form (cont’d) DIRECTOR’S COMMENTS AND RULING: ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Director’s Signature ______________________________________________________ The following signatures by the opponents of the appellants reflect awareness of the appeal and the schedule for hearing by the committee but in no way indicates the opinions of the signatories regarding the substance of the plea. NOTE: Players on either side that fail to appear for the screening/hearing forfeit their right to present facts on the appeal. Punitive action may be taken against appellants that are no shows or fail to notify the director when they decide against filing a protest after indicating they will do so.

American Bridge Association Appeal Form (cont’d) Opponent’s Signature________________________________________________________________ Contact Phone No. ________________________ Room No. _______________ NOTE: Players on either side that fail to appear for the screening/hearing forfeit their right to present facts on the appeal. Punitive action may be taken against appellants that are no shows or fail to notify the director when they decide against filing a protest after indicating they will do so. COMMITTEE FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ COMMITTEE SIGNATURES AND PLAYER NUMBERS: CHAIRPERSON ____________________________________________ MEMBER ________________________________________________