[Dealing_Don]

One of the challenges in directing BBO games that try to follow ACBL rules is dealing with bids that require announcing and delayed alerts. In face to face games a quizzacal look or an "ok...tell me about..." at the end of the auction solves these problems.

On BBO, the closest equivalent is clicking on the bid to request an explanation. But this isn't a complete solution especially for delayed alerts where the non-leader is not in a good position to query the bids (private chat being the only ethical option at that point).

For example, 1NT opening bid ranges are normally announced in ftf games. In BBO games, most SAYC and 2/1 bidders do not alert if playing 15-17, considering the range so common, the thinking is why should I. Then along comes a pair playing weak NT and the table gets all up in arms because they didn't announce (alert in BBO language). So how can you penalize one pair for not announcing when the same standard is not applied to all pairs?

Cue bids are another issue as the thinking in ftf games are that cue bids are "self alerting" i.e. a bid of opponents suit is seldom "natural", so ask if you desire to know, and in fact only need to be alerted IF natural. But in BBO tournaments, players seem to feel entitled to penalize opponents if, for example, they are playing top and bottom cue bids rather than Michaels and fail to alert.

Could a system of "auto alerts" be added as an option for tournaments?

Any announceable bid (NT openings, forcing NT responses to majors, transfer probabliites [at least the more obvious ones]), cue bids, and delayes alerts (any bid over 3NT) could automatically pop up an alert box requesting an explanation.

Having the box pop up immediately as an auto alert bid is made shouldn't add much time to the hand as it is not the bidder's turn anymore. Of course, alerting prior to bidding is still preferred as this eliminates the problem with "late alerts".

This would also keep the bidder from being slammed with multipe alert requests from both opponents.

Comments?

[TimG]

Dealing_Don, on Aug 1 2009, 10:38 AM, said:

For example, 1NT opening bid ranges are normally announced in ftf games. In BBO games, most SAYC and 2/1 bidders do not alert if playing 15-17, considering the range so common, the thinking is why should I.

Maybe because ACBL rules require it? If you're trying to follow ACBL rules, maybe you ought to just try harder.

Your suggestion might as well be: have a pop up window after every call reminding the player to alert (or explain) if required.

[babalu1997]

I agree, why even teach bridge players that they must alert what needs to be alerted.

But i think a pop up list should be included to save me the trouble of typing:

Alert-- Stupid bid
Alert-- Over bid
Alert-- Under bid
Alert- Misclick

But i was quite amused yesterday when i opened 1nt as 15-17. I hated having to open it 1nt because it had a lot of aces and kings and no intermediates-- but i opened 1NT.

The bidding goes:

1nt by me

2 clubs by lho

4 hearts by partner

4 spades by rho (ALERT--Psyche)

(gee louise i was just sitting there with AKxx of spades-- he dont need to alert--)

Double by me

pass by lho

pass by partner

4NT by rho (alert- Psyche)

Double by me

pass by lho

pass by partner

5clubs by rho (Alert-- this is not a psyche)

double by me

all pass

it was down 2 and i think we scored 75 percent.

Now, that is excellent alerting!!!!

[0 carbon]

Full Disclosure convention cards do that.