Duplicate Bridge Alerts, Announcements and General Information for New Duplicate Players

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Duplicate Bridge Alerts, Announcements and General Information for New Duplicate Players.

General Information: opponents the wrong explanation of a bid, card when you skip the bidding or never The director’s job is to make sure that the simply tell them before they lead that they use it. You are not allowed to use the card game runs smoothly, quickly and that the have been given the wrong information to indicate a strong or weak hand or any players have a good time. Part of that job and then, if they ask, tell them what the other information to your partner. The involves enforcing the rules of the game and correct meaning was. If you are defending card is used as a courtesy to the opponents every director knows that new players won’t you must wait until the end of the hand to to let them know that you will be making a know every rule the first time they walk into tell them they received incorrect informa- bid at an unusual level and to ask them to a club! A big part of their job is to help you tion. This does not apply if you simply pause briefly ( a few seconds). learn those rules painlessly. Many players forgot a bid, everyone’s allowed to make a Alert – this card is used to notify the may think they know the rules but the direc- mistake. This is if you and partner’s agree- opponents that there is an unusual tor does know the rules. The director should ment was incorrectly explained. meaning to the bid that your partner be called every time someone thinks there has The director of the game is your friend. Never has made. It is always the partner who been an infraction in the rules. forget that. alerts the special bid. Do not alert a

Some other general times the director should bid you have made. Do not volunteer be called are: The Bidding Box: explanations; wait until an opponent » A Revoke – a revoke or renege is when Every bid that can be made in bridge is found asks you the meaning. If you are unsure someone does not follow suit to a trick. in the bidding box. Some items in the box if some bid that you and partner play is unusual enough to require an alert, ask » A disagreement concerning the number of which may be unfamiliar to you are the: the director. If you and partner have tricks won by either side. Red X – which is the ‘double’ card. There added something to your card in writing, » A prolonged hesitation in the bidding. are not different cards for different types it may be an alert. Ask the director. In » Anytime you feel that another player of doubles. general if it is on the convention card in (including your partner) is being rude Blue XX – which is the ‘Redouble card’. If black it is not an alert. or trying to make you uncomfortable or you are very new to bridge, you may not Special Note: when using the Alert or Stop nervous. ever Redouble. card it is your responsibility to place them » If you, your partner or an opponent has Stop – this is a card used when you skip given the wrong information about a bid. and/or say the word in a manner in which a level of bidding at your turn to call. You This can be a little confusing concerning both your opponents have heard/seen the don’t have to use this card, but the rule when/if you should call the director. If information. As we know some of us don’t see is that you should either always use this you are declarer and your partner told the and hear as well as we might. The Convention Card: Responding to a 1NT Opening Bid: Responding to a Weak Two The convention card should list all of the con- Jacoby Transfer – announce ‘Transfer’ Opening Bid: ventions that you play and your bidding agree- Ogust – Opener’s rebid – say ‘Alert’ Texas Transfer – announce ‘Transfer’ ments with your partner. It is color coded to help you remember what bids you require 2♠ as a transfer to clubs – say ‘Alert’; Other Conventional Agreements: some special notification to your opponents. (opener’s rebid will also be alertable) New Minor Forcing (NMF) – say ‘Alert’ Special Note: This document is designed for Four way transfers – say ‘Alert’; new players with the assumption that by the Fourth Suit Forcing (FSF) – say ‘Alert’ (opener’s rebid will also be alertable) time you have reached intermediate to ad- Two-way New Minor or Two-way vanced levels you will be familiar with what is Checkback – say ‘Alert’ and is not an alert. If you and partner have Responding to a Major Opening added something to your card in writing, it Bid: Penalty Double after an Opponent’s may be an alert. When in any doubt; ask the Forcing NT – 1NT is announced as Overcall – say ‘Alert’ director in charge of your game before you ‘Forcing’ or ‘Semi-Forcing’. If opener Support Double – say ‘Alert’ begin to play. rebids 2♣ or 2♦; announce ‘could be as few as three’. Strong or Intermediate Jumps when Bids in: you are Overcaller – say ‘Alert’ Black – require no alert or announcement Jacoby 2NT – say ‘Alert’ (opener’s rebids will also be alertable) Penalty doubles of pre-emptive Blue– are announced. opening Bids – say ‘Alert’ Splinters – say ‘Alert’ (if the splinter is Red– are alerted. Any system of overcalling the bid at responder’s first opportunity to call). opponent’s NT opening bid – say ‘Alert’

Opening Bids: Bergen – say ‘Alert’ There is one special bid that requires a delayed 1♣ is announced ‘Can be short’ if you announcement. If stayman does not promise Drury – say ‘Alert’ would open a club with two or less clubs a four card major you must tell the opponents that information as soon as you become An opening suit bid at the two level Responding to a Minor Opening aware of the possibility which will usually be which is strong is announced as at responder’s second bid. ‘Natural and forcing’. Bid: Weak Jump Shifts – say ‘Alert’ Opening 1NT bids require the range of the bid to be announced. i.e ’15 to 17’ or ’16 Inverted Minors – say ‘Alert’ to 18’ or whatever your NT opening bid shows.