You must alert a call if it is not natural. You must also alert a call if it is natural but you have an agreement with partner that the opponents are unlikely to expect.

I have summarised the majority of the calls which are likely to arise at a normal club event and this memo sheet is not intended to be used at a higher level. The list is by no means exhaustive and the Orange EBU booklet needs to be consulted in the final analysis.

Failure to alert does not automatically damage the opponents.

If you claim to have been damaged because your opponents failed to alert a call, and it is judged that you were aware of its likely meaning, you would fail in your claim if you had the opportunity to ask without putting your side's interests at risk.

The last bid in the following sequences needs to be alerted (P = pass AND X =DOUBLE).

BIDDING MEANING OF THE LAST BID (CALL)

1NT P 2C Stayman

1NT P 2C P 2D Stayman response of 2D

1NT X ? where ? = any conventional rescue bid

1NT P 2C natural/sign-off

1NT P 2D/2H transfer to hearts/spades

1NT P 2D/2H P 2H/2S completion of the transfer

1NT P 2D only if the 2-level bid is forcing.

1NT P 2C X showing a strong hand over Stayman

1C when partner may hold fewer than 4 cards

2C Acol/game forcing

2D multi two diamond opener

1S P 4NT/4C Any time you use Blackwood or Gerber

P 1H X when it is a penalty double

3H X where the double is for penalties

3H X Optional double

1H 1S X negative (sputnik) double for take out

2H strong & non-forcing

2H weak & non-forcing

the following are also alertable, but not met up with as frequently:

1NT X if the double may be based on less than the normal 15 points

1H P 3H when it is a pre-emptive raise to three.

You should always alert Competitive, Negative or Responsive doubles.

You should alert a Trial Bid in a suit which may contain fewer than 3 cards in the suit bid.

You should alert a Pass if it shows values or specific suit holdings

You alert a Redouble only if it indicates specific suit holdings

Responses to strong opening two bids & multi 2-D often need alerting. So also do some bids when playing Benji Acol or Crowhurst.

From the notes above, it follows that certain other bids do not need alerting. In order to make it easier I have given below some of the more common bids which fall into this category and do not need alerting :

P 1H X take out double

P 1NT X penalties

3H X take out

1H 1S X penalties

1NT P 2C X showing clubs over Stayman

2D strong/forcing

1D 2H strong/non-forcing

1D 2H weak/non-forcing

1H X 2D forcing

1H X 2D non-forcing

2NT a balanced strong opening 2NT bid

You do not alert a redouble if it shows strength

You do not alert a 5 card major opening bid.

You do not alert a long suit trial bid with at least 3 cards in the suit bid.

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 Remember, if it is a Conventional bid, then it requires alerting. Often, the responses to the conventional bid also require alerting.

There are numerous Conventional bids even in level-2 system category (the one most often used at local club level). The most common ones not already mentioned are as follows (named, but not explained) :

Cue-bids, splinter bids, Baron over 2NT, unusual 2NT, Michaels, Canape bids,

Lebensohl, Astro/Landy, Roman key card Blackwood, 4th suit forcing, Ghestem,

Baron 2NT response, Stayman in doubt.

Peter Dawson (April 2002)