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Legal moves in tournament play

Posted By: Stein Kulseth
Date: Thursday, 10 January 2013, at 7:52 a.m.

In Response To: Legal moves in tournament play (Timothy Chow)

To me most of Gregg's objections are to issues that you also already have with the current rule.

1) [...] It would be impossible to prove that player B saw player A's illegal play and didn't correct it, (and what would be the punishment, anyway?)

Today, it is equally impossible to prove that player A didn't see that his play was illegal but made it anyway. True, for an illegal play you can impose a punishment, but today it isn't done - just for this same reason: A punishment fit for one who deliberately makes an illegal move would be much too harsh for one who just makes an honest error.

2) If the rule was 'legal plays', then if I innocently DID fail to notice an illegal play by my opponent [...], then in the mind of kibitzers I would instantly be branded a cheater, when actually was merely unobservant.

There is even more reason today for kibitzers to brand the one who makes the illegal move a cheater. I don't think it is done to any great extent.

3) 'Legal plays' creates an ethical dilemma EVERY time my opponent makes a negative equity illegal play. I can pretend to not see it and gain equity (and perhaps even gain thousands of dollars), or I could follow the 'rule'. This IS a dilemma no matter how much you whine 'I wouldn't be that way'. The current rule NEVER puts anyone in such a bind.

Actually, it does, and not on just the moves where your opponent makes an illegal play. On most moves there would be a better roll, so you can gain from making an illegal play. You can pretend to misread the dice and gain equity and thousands of dollars.

The main point is that rules are rules, and most of us follow them.

I do think that the rules are actually more easily enforced if they are clear and logical. Thus I prefer:

  • You must make legal moves.
    • to
  • You must make legal moves. However, if you make an illegal move that passes unoticed, it must stand as played. Furthermore, if you make an illegal move your opponent has the option to accept it as is.

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