[Apollo81]

On the ACBL midchart, why is there a * after "Pre-alert the methods"? Does this mean that anything that has a * isn't pre-alertable? I would prefer that only people who know the answer reply.

[awm]

It's a good question why there's a *, but the following is taken from the Alert Procedures:

Quote

Additionally, a pre-Alert is required when playing methods permitted by the ACBL Mid-Chart or SuperChart in an event conducted using that chart

Also, the Mid-Chart itself makes the distinction:

Quote

When using a method permitted by the Mid-Chart but not by the General Convention Chart, a pair is required to:

1. Pre-alert the method(s).
2. Have a written description of the method(s) available for the opponents.
3. Except for those methods authorized below by an asterisk, have a copy of the approved suggested defense available for each opponent.

They made a clear exception to the suggested defense part of the rule. It would've been easy to just state "When using a method permitted by the Mid-Chart, other than those methods authorized below by an asterisk, a pair is required to:" and then list 1-3; they specifically did not choose that language.

Of course, your mileage with directors may vary. My experience is that directors often feel that it is the responsibility of the non-offending side to look at convention cards, ask questions, etc. and that the vast majority of failures to alert will not yield a ruling.

[Apollo81]

The question is "why is there a *" If there isn't one there (as in your quote) then clearly all midchart methods must be prealerted.

[BillHiggin]

3. Except for those methods authorized by sections below with an asterisk
(numbers 1, 2, 3, and 10 under ALLOWED), have a copy of the approved
suggested defense available for each opponent. Approved defenses are available
in the ACBL defense database at www.acbl.org

Asterisk means "no need to provide an approved defense"

[blackshoe]

Apollo81, on Apr 10 2008, 02:24 PM, said:

I would prefer that only people who know the answer reply.

You better ask the people responsible for the alert regulation, then. That would be, if I'm not mistaken, the ACBL's Competion and Conventions Committee.

[BillHiggin]

blackshoe, on Apr 10 2008, 03:58 PM, said:

Apollo81, on Apr 10 2008, 02:24 PM, said:

I would prefer that only people who know the answer reply.

You better ask the people responsible for the alert regulation, then. That would be, if I'm not mistaken, the ACBL's Competion and Conventions Committee.

Gee, I thought that actually reading what the chart said the asterisk meant was moderately authoritative!

[rbforster]

blackshoe, on Apr 10 2008, 03:58 PM, said:

You better ask the people responsible for the alert regulation, then. That would be, if I'm not mistaken, the ACBL's Competion and Conventions Committee.

Get back to me in 6 months or so, when they give you a response. In the meanwhile, follow the above suggestions that (*)'ed items are legal without a defense and others require one.

[blackshoe]

1. The chart does not say what that asterisk means.
2. I didn't volunteer to ask them. Nor am I going to do so.

[JanM]

We think that there used to be a footnote that asterisk referenced that described how to pre-alert, but somewhere along the way it disappeared.

[blackshoe]

JanM, on Apr 11 2008, 12:20 AM, said:

We think that there used to be a footnote that asterisk referenced that described how to pre-alert, but somewhere along the way it disappeared.

Wouldn't surprise me any.

[skjaeran]

JanM, on Apr 11 2008, 06:20 AM, said:

We think that there used to be a footnote that asterisk referenced that described how to pre-alert, but somewhere along the way it disappeared.

Seems reasonable - that's how asterisks are used in the Laws.

[kenrexford]

If you go onto the ACBL website and search for the term "asterisk," you will find out that other documents and rules cross-reference the asterisks in the convention charts. Thus, although the chart itself does not explain why the asterisk is there. some other rule references why it is there.*