TO ALERT OR NOT TO ALERT?

When we first learnt bridge there was so much going on.  Counting points, working out what to bid and how on earth am I going to make this contract.   It is no wonder you may have felt overwhelmed. To make the aspect of the game even more confusing there are numerous rules and etiquette to have to contend with.  This week I am going to look at one of the rules that is often forgotten.

I often play-in whilst directing which I enjoy and I do see a lot of interesting bidding and play at the table.  What I also see quite regularly is that people don’t realise they need to alert their partner’s artificial bids or bids with special meanings.

For example, when partner opens 2 Clubs (usually a game force bid) this needs to be alerted and also if their partner responds 2D this also needs to be alerted.  Any bids that are not natural or have a special meaning need to be alerted by their partner.  There are always exceptions to the rules, an example is when you respond 2C (Stayman) after partner’s 1NT opening call in an uncontested auction. The 2 Club bid doesn’t need to be alerted.  Any artificial bids over 3NT also do not need to be alerted unless it is an opening bid.  The opponents can always ask for a review of the auction when it is their turn to bid. 

Another example of when you don’t need to alert your partner’s bid are Cue bids.  

One last point if your partner fails to alert one of your bids please don’t remind your partner during the auction.  Wait until the end of the auction and before the opening lead  if you are either declarer or dummy.  If you are the defending side, after the whole play has finished.  Please then explain the error. Please call the Director if the Opponents feel they have been disadvantaged.