Posted 2024-October-12, 11:04
I absolutely agree with most of this - especially the theory. Of course, so does the ACBL, and all other RAs, as have the Lawmakers for at least 30 years (Law 73D1). This isn't a revelation to anybody on this thread.
You "rarely" need to think more than a second or so after a skip. Strangely enough, neither do I (especially if you include the "boring" skip bids like 1NT-3NT(*) or 4NT-5x-6♥ or 1♠-2♠-4♠).
But I bet that when you do, you'll need to think 5 or 6 seconds; and in maybe one skip in two sessions, more than that.
The *whole point* behind the pause after skip is to make all your responses to skip bids past "rare" and to "almost never, and I'm willing to commit my partnership to the dreaded UI restrictions to think about this one."
Because otherwise, you're doing what everybody does, which is "yes, it took 6 seconds, but he's allowed 10, so it's not out of tempo", while still allowing partner to know that this time it's not an automatic call." And if your opponents call you on the instabid, not only do your opponents not understand, but neither does the director(**) (especially the sixth time that opponent calls someone on the instacall, which is why, despite being lauded for it occasionally, I don't make a habit of it. Well, that and most of the time I'm playing they know who I am, and it's a club, and it's "bridge lawyer"ing).
And also, if there's a consistent, expected, pause after the skip bid, skip bidder's partner - who also "rarely" has to think about things - gets to use that time to work out what to do. Hence your "fewer UI problems, slow play,...". Again, you know this (but many don't. In fact, many just love to instapass over RHO's preempt, then call the director on LHO's "pause" after. I will admit to little sympathy, in my mind or at the table, to this play).
Now, I know you know this, and I know that you have decided that your tempo is "about 12 seconds" for reasons. They don't seem to be "that's what the RA expects you to do", but there's a reason *I* self-label as the SB, not you. I will admit that frequently "everyone doesn't do better" in my experience; mostly due to the "stare at RHO wondering why he isn't doing anything, then when he makes the obvious pass, *then* start to think". But it does help, and *eventually* the opponents stop wondering WTH mycroft is doing (***).
(*) Although I have used all of my 10 seconds more than once in exactly this auction...
(**) tying us back to barmar's "depends on which club you're in today" thread.
(***) "Ten seconds, Richie [Coren]. Like he's supposed to. [to me] You know you're the only one in this room who would do that, right?"
When I go to sea, don't fear for me, Fear For The Storm -- Birdie and the Swansong (tSCoSI)