Port Macquarie Hastings Bridge Club - Learn & Play Bridge
Director's Directives
Alerts.
When a player makes an alertable bid you must speak the word "Alert" plus circle the alertable bid.
It goes on to remind us that there are 3 stages of the alerting process.
- The pre-alert before bidding starts
- Alerts during the auction
- Delayed alerts by the declaring side before the opening lead.
Pre-Alerts. At the start of a round or match, pairs should acquaint each other with their basic system, length of their one-level openings and the strength and style of their opening 1NT. Subsequent questions about these, whilst legal, may be regarded as unaauthorised information.
Alerts during the auction. Most players are aware of their obligations in this regard.
Delayed Alerts. At the end ogthe auction, the declaring side should draw attention to any unusual features, partticularly any unusual non-alerted calls. Upon enquiry, you must disclose fully, not only the specific meanings of all calls, but also any inferences you have drawn from the auction based on partnership experience ( as distinct from general bridge knowledge). These explanations may occasionally need to include negative inferences, sauch as hand types partner probably does not have for his bidding. Defenders must not, at this time, draw attention to their own calls, nor voluntarily offer explanations ( they must of course fully disclose upon inquiry).
This is why the opening lead is made face down, to give the declarers time to point out any delayed alerts.
The full PDF of Alerting Regulations is available from the ABF Website it is 10 pages.