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Alert UK


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Playing in a club game declarer opened 1NT (12-14) and his partner responded 3. This was alerted and passed by declarer. When asked at the end of the auction, declarer said it was their method of a weak take out and that they had been advised that it was alertable by a very experienced director.

I find it very strange that a natural bid of a 6-card suit should be alertable notwithstanding that the usual interpretation (at least around here) of playing the response of 3-minor is that of a game-force bid

What do we think?

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The purpose of the alert system is to make sure that players are aware of their opponents' methods, in time for them to make use of the knowledge.

 

Without an alert, you would assume that 3 was strong. The alert ensures that you know what 3 means, when you need to know it. That is, the alert system appears to be working well. I don't find that strange.

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Generally Scotland is more relaxed than England about the strength of natural bids, for example, an opening two bid is not alerted whether it is a natural weak two or natural Strong Two. However weak jump shifts (in response to a suit opening bid) remain alertable and I believe that this OP sequence would also be alertable since it is an agreement showing unusual strength.
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Generally Scotland is more relaxed than England about the strength of natural bids, for example, an opening two bid is not alerted whether it is a natural weak two or natural Strong Two.

 

Nor in England. We announce them.

 

Precisely.

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Playing in a club game declarer opened 1NT (12-14) and his partner responded 3. This was alerted and passed by declarer. When asked at the end of the auction, declarer said it was their method of a weak take out and that they had been advised that it was alertable by a very experienced director.

I find it very strange that a natural bid of a 6-card suit should be alertable notwithstanding that the usual interpretation (at least around here) of playing the response of 3-minor is that of a game-force bid

What do we think?

Don't you want to be warned that the hand might belong to you, and this may be your last chance to get into the auction?

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What do we think?

This part of "we" thinks that you should have asked about the meaning of 3, since it was alerted, rather than assume that it couldn't possibly show diamonds.

 

There may be a lot reasons why it was alertable. Some of them are that it didn't show diamonds, one is that it was weak and others could be that it did show diamonds, but also something else (e.g. weak with the red suits).

 

If they alert and you don't ask, you are the one to blame for not knowing.

 

Rik

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