Did ye know?

Following the introduction of announcements, the rules on alerting should be easier to understand. Essentially any bid which is not announceable and is artificial or has unexpected meaning AND is below 3NT should be alerted.

Examples include 1C opening showing 16+ points and 2C overcall to 1NT as a conventional bid e.g. Astro, etc.

Over 1NT, 2C Stayman and 2D transfer to hearts are no longer alertable, but all conventional bids over 2NT opening (e.g. 3C Stayman/Baron) and 3D transfer to hearts) are alertable.

Sputnik (negative) doubles are no longer alertable since the introduction of announcements. But if a passed hand later doubles intending the bid as takeout, this needs to be alerted.

What about 1H-Dbl-2D where 2D shows a weak hand ? This also needs alerting on the basis that whilst it is a natural bid it shows something that the opponents would not be expecting i.e. a non-forcing bid. Similarly 1H-Pass-3H where 3H is pre-emptive raise is alertable on the basis that opponents would not be expecting it.

1S opening showing 5 card suit, a weak jump overcall or a double of an artificial bid for lead direction purposes, are NOT alertable, as they are "expected" meanings for these bids. Always read the convention card for your opponents or ask about their basic system before playing a round/match.