Alerts

[Wayne_LV]

On several occasions I have encountered players that are totally unaware of the BBO self-alert procedure. Some of those had over 1000 log-ins. By properly Alerting and explaining an unsual bid I have been accused of table talk and outright cheating. Evidently those players are unaware that Alerts and explanations are NEVER seen by the player's partner, only by the opponents.

 

BBO Help, The Rules of This Site, Guidelines for Alerts, does explain that players are expected to Alert bids that might not be understood by their opponents as a matter of courtesy. Nowhere is it explained in the Help section that the partner of the player does NOT see the bid highlighted as Alert, nor do they see the explanation of the bid. I have had little to no success explaining the procedure to those accusing partner and I of cheating. They usually leave the table in a huff and probably mark us as enemy with a note that we cheat. Perhaps some have even reported us to BBO administration, although I have had no feedback to that effect.

 

I think adding a sentence or two explaining the Alert procedure in BBO Help would give an accused player a quick reference to an "official" BBO document to defend themselves from accusations of cheating.

 

A brief note in BBO Today might enlighten a few, especially those that never bother reading BBO Help.

 

This lack of awareness of BBO Self Alerts has also been one of several reasons I have abandoned the FD Convention card. Those Alerts and Explanations ARE seen by all at the table and an accusation of table talk is valid. I realize you can make settings that prevent partner from seeing FD Alerts and explanations, but ...... try convincing an irate opponent of that fact.

[Mbodell]

The other problem I've seen with FD alerts is sometimes the opponents bids aren't remotely similar to their explanations - in cases where I think both players think they play something different than the FD explanation and don't even realize the FD misexplanation has now given MI.