How to deal with misbehavior and ethical violations
We’ve all been there: An opponent comes to the table, still badgering partner about a bid or a play. Voices rise. You ask him or her to stop. Exasperated, you call the director. The director handles the problem with a warning or by assessing a matchpoint or IMP penalty. You feel that further action against the
offender is warranted. Your options at this point depend on whether the incident occurred at an EMBA-sponsored game or a club game.
Misbehavior at EMBA events
If the incident takes place at an EMBA sectional tournament, a unit championship or a STaC game, there are two additional ways that you can address misbehavior by another player:
1) In the case of egregious behavior you can file a formal complaint with the Unit Charging Officer (the Recorder in the case of EMBA) requesting a disciplinary hearing. A complaint received by the Charging Officer will be evaluated, and, if appropriate, charges against the offending individual will be filed with the Unit Disciplinary Committee. The person filing the complaint is expected to testify at the hearing. If found guilty, a player may receive a reprimand, a period of probation and/or suspension or even expulsion from the ACBL.
2) You can submit a report in the form of a Player Memo to the Unit Recorder asking him to investigate the incident and take appropriate action, which could include a formal complaint. Even if you feel certain that a formal complaint is appropriate, it is best to leave that determination up to the Recorder. The Recorder can judge the seriousness of an infraction and will know whether a player has a history of misbehavior.
Misbehavior at club games
When misbehavior occurs at a regular club game, you should direct your complaints to the club manager and/or its director. This official is responsible for dealing with misbehavior at local club games. If you are dissatisfied with how the club handles your complaint, your options are more limited: In essence, you must put up with the manager/director’s call or vote with your feet and play at another club.
Common infractions
There are many forms of questionable ethical behavior that violate the Laws of Contract Bridge. One common example is taking advantage of unauthorized information from partner’s hesitations in the bidding or play. There is nothing wrong with taking time to think, but if a bid or play is not made in normal tempo, partner is not entitled to any inferences that may arise from the hesitation.
Hesitating when following suit with a singleton is another common violation, as is any body language that could deceive declarer or convey information to partner. However, even if these behaviors seem deliberate, they are just as often subconscious. A new or inexperienced player may not even know that these actions are improper. Rather than trying to decide which is which, call the director and explain the situation in a polite, non-accusatory manner. (Accusing someone of cheating is itself a very serious ethical violation.) The director will provide redress if he or she feels it is warranted. You also have the option of reporting such incidents to the Recorder regardless of where they occurred. Often it will be enough for the Recorder to draw a player’s attention to the misdeed and educate him or her about appropriate ethics (or behavior). In the event of serious or repeated ethical breaches, the Recorder may file charges against the individual with the Unit Disciplinary committee. One last point: Before being quick to criticize others, perhaps each of us should try to set a good example with our own behavior.
For more information about ACBL rules and procedures, go to www.acbl.org/play/charts.html.
To contact Don Caplin, EMBA Recorder, email kcfl@comcast.net