[glen]

Watching the last board of the tourney with some other participants, an Australian pair opened 1♥ with a four card suit, and alerted it as 4+. I noted to the kibitzers that this was not alertable, but was "corrected" by some other players (some say an annoucement is necessary).

Imo, based on this acbl alert chart, 1♥ as a four card major is not alertable or announcable:

ACBL Alert Chart

However I would be interested in contrary viewpoints.

[the hog]

Glen, frankly I am astounded that anyone would consider this alertable. No doubt those same players regard a 3 card 1C or 1D opening as not alertable.

[glen]

On the actual hand, the "natural" (i.e. standard five card majors) opening was a suit of Axx, while the "strange" opening was a suit of KJxx.

[awm]

As I understand it, four card majors are not alertable.

Systems that "may be fundamentally unfamiliar to opponents" are a pre-alert, but I'm sure something like ACOL would not qualify here.

On the other hand, canape methods (i.e. Blue Team Club) do require pre-alert.

[inquiry]

I would prefer to see something on the cc, profile or a pre-alert if playing 4Card majors. I announce modified 2/1 GF and have 2/1 GF on my profile/cc.... I would hate to be disadvantage by not knowing that opener COULD and frequently does have a four card major when his partner knows this. Announcing ACOL, putting on the cc, or somehow conveying this information seems the "right" thing to do. Alert? No. But don't keep your opponents in the dark about your agreements either. This is true if you open 5 card majors or 4 card majors.

[glen]

inquiry, on Jan 3 2007, 12:14 AM, said:

...putting on the cc...

ACBL tourneys require a cc.

[pbleighton]

Adam is correct:

"PART I: NATURAL CALLS
Most natural calls do not require Alerts. If the call promises about the expected strength and shape, no Alert is necessary. Treatments that show unusual strength or shape should be Alerted.

As to length, ACBL accepts as NATURAL any offer to play in a suit for the first time that shows:
(1)Three or more cards in a minor suit.
(2) Four or more cards in a major suit.
(3) Four or more cards for an overcall in a suit at the one level.
(4) Five or more cards for a weak two-bid.
(5) Six or more cards for a three-level preempt."

from Alert Procedures.

Peter

[mrdct]

I'm not aware of any jurisdiction where four-card majors is alertable, however, online bridge is quite different to face-to-face bridge insofar as:

- alerting doesn't create any UI situations because partner can't see your alerts;

- most people (especially random pick-up partnerships) don't have convention cards completed so there isn't an easy way for opponents to find out that you play four-card majors without asking and potentially passing UI themselves or giving away info to the opponents.

Many players are quite unfamiliar with four-card majors and if you practice active ethics you will go out of your way to ensure that your opponents understand your methods.

When I play four-card majors and/or a NT range other than 15-17, I always alert and self-describe.

I also believe that aside from ACBL Tournaments, ACBL Alerting Rules are completely irrelevant on BBO. The Alerting Policy to follow should be:

http://www.worldbrid...tems/alerts.asp

[helene_t]

I usually alert 3+ minor suit openings, 4+ minor suit openings and 4+ major suit openings. The alert principles for online bridge are very simple: if there's any aspect of your agreements that may be relevant to opps yet they might not think of asking for it, just provide it.

On the other hand, as a director I would almost never give an adjustment or warnign for a non-alert of a natural call, especially if the agreement was on the CC.

Then again, I don't know anything about the ACBL rules.

[blackshoe]

mrdct, on Jan 3 2007, 12:34 AM, said:

I also believe that aside from ACBL Tournaments, ACBL Alerting Rules are completely irrelevant on BBO. The Alerting Policy to follow should be:

http://www.worldbrid...tems/alerts.asp

As I understand it, BBO does not undertake to be the Sponsoring Organization (in the legal sense) for games conducted on its site. The "Sponsoring Organization" is the person running the tournament (much like f2f clubs). That being the case, the SO can establish whatever alerting rules he/she likes. Granted you have a "default" in the BBO alert procedure, and if the SO doesn't say anything about alerts I would expect that to apply, but the SO certainly has the prerogative to establish other rules.

[jikl]

My alerting rules are simple:

Alert any bid that could be misunderstood.

This may sound vague, but I will allow noone a double-shot.

Sean