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What to do about this what-a-to-do?

Posted By: Chuck Bower
Date: Monday, 6 July 2009, at 4:42 p.m.

In Response To: What to do about this what-a-to-do? (Mike Main)

I've yet to read any of the replies (looks like I've got some work to do :) as I always prefer to give as independent of an opinion as I can.

I was thinking about the rules (among other things) on my 5.5 hour drive home (alone) from Novi yesterday. The fact is that BG (in the US for sure) has a short set of rules, giving quite a bit of leeway for interpretation and decision making by the director (and appeals committee, when appropriate).

One question I asked here is: why does the rule prohibiting and punishing premature rolls exist in the first place? One reason is that it can become confusing (to the point of insoluble) whose turn it actually is? Another reason is that as long as a player's dice are down s/he has the option of changing the play -- i.e. should be allowed time to consider the options. Another reason (probably) has to do with courtesy/etiquette.

I appreciate Mike giving so much info here, but for my decision I ignore most of it. The question for me is: which (if any) of the reasons for the rule's existence was violated:

A) Was there a question of whose turn it was to play?

B) Was the first player to roll (here) contemplating a different play?

C) Was the offending action impolite/rude?

I saw no mention in the details that 'A' was in question. (I.e. Blue had rolled first, then White had rolled -- this apparently was agreed upon.) How about 'B'? Unless I'm mistaken, Blue's play was forced and he had made the forced move (but yet to officially finish it by picking up the dice). I believe 'C' was violated, probably not intentionally, but still violated.

So, does the punishment (White must reroll) fit the crime? I don't think so. Stearn warning to White, but 1-1 stands.

BTW, this brings up a point of US law. (AFAIK the following is true, but I'm no expert.) In the majority of lawbreaking, the penalty is not part of the law. The judge (and/or jury) get to decide the sentence. There are a (very?) few exceptions, and one of them is the strict drug law enforcement penalties (initiated in the late 80's I believe) which led to many judges retiring/resigning as they couldn't in good conscience uniformly hand out the stiff sentences required. (I could go on from here with my opinion but I think the facts speak for themselves.)

In regards to "what action would I take as a player who was ruled against?", I would likely request an appeal (if such were an option). If I wasn't allowed that or if the appeals committee concurred with the decision of the director, I (at least hope I) would accept the decision and go in living my life. IMO this is a judgment call and I know not everyone's judgment is the same as mine -- and the likely evidence of this already exists in the other replies I'm about to read.

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