[Shugart23]

So today my partner paused in the bidding to think and then after a bit passed. Clearly was thinking something . My RHO passes and I didn’t really have a bid and even so felt the pause was too long and would have passed anyway. But afterward, this got me thinking. I assume if I have an obvious legitimate bid, I can make it regardless of the pause . Is that true? If RHO makes a bid, instead of a pass, can I bid ? If no, and bid comes around to me a second time, must I maintain my vow of silence? Would someone take a minute and explain?

[Cyberyeti]

Basically if you have an obvious bid/call with no alternative - you can make it.

If you have alternatives, you have to bend over backwards to choose the one that is NOT suggested by the hesitation.

[pescetom]

Shugart23, on 2024-December-22, 15:43, said:

So today my partner paused in the bidding to think and then after a bit passed. Clearly was thinking something . My RHO passes and I didn’t really have a bid and even so felt the pause was too long and would have passed anyway.

If you read what you wrote carefully, I think you already had a good idea of the answer. "I didn’t really have a bid and even so felt the pause was too long"... you recognise that only the unauthorized information of the pause might suggest you bid, the consequence should be clear. Had you had an obvious bid, it would remain legitimate only if you have no alternative.

[paulg]

I run my club's annual congress where the field ranges from international players to local club players at their only congress of the year.

I send out a one-pager to all the participants. It tells the good players not to make any rulings at the table, but to call the director. Among the four bits of advice for the less experienced is;

• Try and bid in tempo
  This can be very difficult for all players but it is not an infraction to take your time. However your partner must take care not to appear to take advantage.
  
  If your partner hesitates in the auction, you can make any call you want, but you should make sure that your call is consistent with what your peers would make: if asked, I will be checking if it has been ‘suggested’ by the hesitation.
  
  In general, it is worse to hesitate and pass as it suggests that you were considering something else. If you hesitate and bid, then at least you show some values.

Paul