Re: Please Explain post allert procedure

Tim Brown:
> I am just getting into tournament bridge and find the rules a bit
daunting. 
> If I understand post alert requirements correctly...

Alerting regulations depend on what country you're playing in.  If you're
in the US or Canada, you're playing in the ACBL, and I'm going to make a
guess that that is the case.  Elsewhere the answers are different.

> no alerts are made after 3N or greater has been bid...

The rule is that no alerts are made for bids that are *above 3NT*
(not "3NT or greater") starting on the second round of the auction
(i.e. starting with opening bidder's second call).

> until the auction is complete. Offense alerts before the lead card
> is played, defense alerts after the lead card is played.

Yes.

> An example of a post alert would be people playing Gerber (4c) with 
> an agreed to suit (rather than NT). Is this correct?

Yes.

> What other common bidding conventions require a post alert
> (i.e.. splinters)?

That's the most common one in my experience, and it's not that common.

> What do you do if the opposition asks what a bid means, do you tell
> them to wait until the auction is complete? 

No, you explain when asked.  The purpose of delaying the alert is to
avoid it helping your partner when questions are *not* asked.
 
By the way, a considerable number of players in the ACBL, and even
a few directors, have trouble keeping these rules straight.  Of
course, that does not excuse you from trying to comply.
-- 
Mark Brader, Toronto           This is a signature antibody.  Please
msb@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
                    remove any viruses from your signature.

My text in this article is in the public domain.