There has been much debate within EBU over the minimum strength for a legal Strong Bid. These include a strong 1C (e.g. Precision) and any bid defined as strong at the 2 level, including 2NT and multi 2D.

The 2006 version of the Orange Book required a minimum of 14 HCP. This meant that e.g. AKQJxxxx Kx xx x could not be opened as a strong 2 bid. This was particularly the case when your system required an artificial 2C/2D, as in Benji Acol, which caused difficulties as to how to deal with such hands.

8 pages of changes the Orange Book have come into effect from 1 August 2007. However, these come down to a couple of refinements to announcements and alerts, but mainly one real change: to define a strong bid.

A strong bid should comply with the “Extended rule of 25”. (You may of course make your bids more specific than this provided you meet the minimum requirements. Such definitions must be stated on your system card.)

Extended Rule of 25. All of these qualify:

• a hand that contains as a minimum the normal high-card strength associated with a one level opening and at least 8 clear-cut tricks [from rule 11C I take this to imply 11 HCP ]. Use of this option must be clearly stated on your card.
• a hand meeting the Rule of 25 [ HCP + cards in 2 longest suits]
• any hand of at least 16 HCP

The definition of clear-cut is very tight. Thus:
AKQJxxxx is OK for 8 clear-cut tricks, but
AKQxxxxx is not!

Alerts and announcements have been in use for a year so you should be used to using them properly. Unfortunately they still cause some problems and the other pair are entitled to politely ask the director for some redress if they feel a wrong alert or lack of one has affected their result. This will only be upheld if they could not reasonably be aware of the true meaning and were not in position to consult the convention card or ask a question without compromising their position.

Here's a summary of common situations:

1. Suit doubles are assumed to be for take-out; NT doubles for penalties (only alert other meanings)
Note e.g.1 Spade - Pass -1NT - Double (meaning a take-out of Spades) is alertable.

2. A double of an artificial bid is not alerted if it shows values and the bid suit. Further exceptions and special cases can be found in the Orange Book.

3. Announcements: We all know to announce 1NT by stating the range; you should also say “possible singleton” if that is your agreement.

4. Stayman over 1NT is announced; further bids are not alerted or announced.

Red suit transfers over 1NT are announced; the completion of the transfer (unless it has a precise meaning) is not announced or alerted.

BUT over 2NT any Stayman and artificial continuations are alerted. Transfers are alerted, but again completion of the transfer is not.

5. 1 short suit (2 or less) opening e.g 1C, 1D is alertable, but “prepared” suit openings with 3 cards are not. In either case a double for take out is not alertable.

6. Natural 2 level OPENING bids (except 2NT) are announced. If strong, you need to say Strong Forcing or Strong Non-Forcing. New: if you play a wide natural bid, you should say WEAK to INTERMEDIATE, or INTERMEDIATE to STRONG (Forcing).

If you have any questions, please contact me.

Trevor Purches (Chief Tournament Director, Bath Bridge Club)
August 2007