[nige1]

pran, on 2011-July-07, 14:44, said:

Sure. I wasn't concerned about the first pass after the 3NT bid but the closing pass in the auction (indicated by my query mark)

Of course.
On second thoughts, I'm not so sure. Perhaps, an instantaneous pass might make it less likely that you hold a hand like
♠ Jxxxxxx ♥ Txxxxxx ♦ - ♣ -

This post has been edited by nige1: 2011-July-08, 02:46

[Vampyr]

semeai, on 2011-July-07, 09:50, said:

It's not the same thing, but here's a related question: I tense up mildly whenever declarer is on a guess, in an effort not to give anything away. Let's say he's led the J toward A109 in dummy and I played low, and now he's thinking. Is this illegal?

I think it should be. I have seen declarers (including some very good players, who should know better) sit there for several minutes, obviously waiting for a tell from one of the defenders. Remember the Coca-Cola coup? I really think that in sensitive situations declarer should decide what he is going to do before playing a card.

I sit there wondering if it will be better if I have a sip of my drink or if I don't, better if I fold my cards and put them on the table or keep them fanned and look at them... the behaviour may not be prolonging the play of the hand as a whole, but it certainly "disconcerts" me, and is definitely unethical and probably illegal. It's a difficult one to ask for a ruling about, though.