Allowable Bids

Artificial bidding systems are now permitted on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. However, a Club Member may question the use of an artificial system and request that a decision to allow it or not be made by the Committee. Furthermore, those using artificial systems must provide a viable defense against their system.

Alerts System for BCCM

The following is based on the ACBL alerts system, but simplified to reflect the fact that most BCCM  players play similar systems to each other. The aim is to reduce the frequency of required alerts, while still keeping opponents informed of hidden meanings. This alert system is intended for those playing Standard American, Acol or similar systems.

If you are playing something outside these systems (eg. Precision, very light openings etc.), please make sure you alert if the bid has an unexpected meaning. Don’t forget that you can always ask the meaning of an opponent’s bid at any point in the game whenever it is your turn to bid or play.

General

To alert, please say the word “alert” so the opponents can hear it. You may also use the alert card if you wish. 

No doubles or redoubles require alerting---opponents should besufficiently alert to notice a double or redouble and ask the meaning if necessary.

No cuebids of a suit naturally bid by opponents require alerting. Again, opponents should notice these.

A 2♣  opening which is very strong and artificial is not alertable (a natural 2♣  opening or a 2♣  opening which is agreed to be of lesser strength would be alertable).

An Unusual 2NT jump overcall is not alertable (a natural 2NT jump overcall would be alertable).

For alerts marked with an asterisk, you can either alert when the bid comes up or you can pre-alert. If you pre-alert then you should state what your system isat the beginning of every round. For example, if your 1♣  bid may be short, then you have the choice of stating this before looking at your cards for the first board of the round or, if you prefer, just alerting each 1♣  opening by your partner.

Transfers

All transfers should be announced. If your partner makes a transfer bid, then say “transfer”. Unless asked, do not explain what it is a transfer to.

Opening Suit Bids at the One Level

• Alert if suit bid may be fewer than five of a major or fewer than three of a minor.
• Alert if one of a minor guarantees a five card suit.
• Alert if artificial (eg. shows hand strength rather than suit).

Responses to Opening Bids of One of a Suit

• Alert forcing or semi-forcing 1NT responses.
• Alert non-forcing jump shifts whether or not in competition.
• Alert splinters.
• Alert Jacoby 2NT (or similar system) and responses.

Opener’s and Responder’s Rebid

• Alert opener’s 1NT rebid if strong (greater than 14 HCP).
• Alert conventional 3rd or 4th suit bids (eg. new minor forcing, fourth suit forcing).
• Alert help suit game tries.

NT Opening Bids or Overcalls

Alert if agreed range is outside the following:

*1NT opening:     15-17 HCP

1NT overcall:    15-18 HCP 

1NT overcall in balancing seat: 11-14 HCP

2NT opening:    20-21 HCP

3NT opening:    25-27 HCP

Responses to NT

• Announce all transfers.
• Alert minor suit stayman and responses.
• Alert puppet stayman responses and continuations.

Overcall over a NT bid

Alert unless fully natural (eg. a 2♥  bid overcall after 1NT which shows hearts is not alertable. If your agreement is that it shows both hearts and another suit, it is alertable).

Responses to NT bids after Interference

Announce all transfers.

Alert other bids which are not fully natural, except for doubles or a cuebid of opponent’s suit.

Opening Suit Bids at the Two Level and Responses

Alert responses to strong, artificial 2♣, unless natural.

Alert 2♠ , 2♥  and 2♦  opening bids which are not weak and natural.

Alert rebids after a 2NT response to a weak two (eg. Ogust, feature etc.) 

Note that a 2NT asking bid itself is not alertable, just the responses.

Bids Above 3NT

Alert all artificial bids above 3NT, except:

• regular (not keycard) Blackwood and its responses.
• transfers, which should be announced rather than alerted.

Leading Low from a Small Doubleton

If your system includes leading low from a small doubleton, this is subject to a pre-alert (see above for how to pre-alert).

Bridge Etiquette Guide

ON ARRIVAL

1. Plan on arriving 20-30 minutes before the designated start time.
2. Register your arrival and pay your session fee to the Club Registrar.
3. Please turn off your mobile phone. (If it is absolutely vital you have it on, leave it on ‘silent’ or ‘vibrate’.)

RULES:  CARD PLAY AND BEHAVIOUR

See Zero Tolerance Policy

AT THE BEGINNING OR DURING PLAY

Declarer:

Always call precisely, for the card you wish dummy to play.

When you lead to a trick, wait for LHO to play his card before requesting a card from dummy.

Standard rules call for the Declarer to request a card from dummy and Dummy will play that card. No player is to touch any cards other than their own during or after play except by permission of the Director. However, the Declarer may play dummy’s cards if Dummy is away from the table, or the assistance of one of the opponents may be asked for.

Dummy:

Dummy should not play the first card (even if it is a singleton) until declarer has planned his campaign and called for it.  Dummy's role is limited but if declarer fails to follow suit dummy may ask “No (suit) partner?” in order to prevent a possible revoke.  Dummy may also alert any player at the table if their last played card is turned the wrong way (win/lose) but this must be done before play of the next card. And the Dummy may also alert Declarer whether he is in his hand or in dummy as long as declarer has not led a card.

In General:

• Keep the sessions as harmonious as possible; we try to be a friendly club.
• Greet opponents as they arrive at the table.  Thank them at the end and move quickly to your new table.
• If asked, explain your bidding system clearly and simply. Answer any questions clearly.
• Sort and count your cards quickly, so that you can bid promptly when it is your turn.
• When bidding, do not ‘hover’ over your bidding cards.  Decide on your bid before reaching for your bid card.

At the table, North is in sole charge of the BridgeMate unit except when East or West is asked to confirm an entry by pushing the "Accept" button.  All data from the unit about the board just played is to be read by North only.  At completion of the bidding, North should enter the final contract and the initial lead card promptly and this information should be entered in the unit prior to the beginning of play.

BridgeMate units are often left unattended briefly during table changes.  No one other than those designated as the incoming North player should handle or manipulate the BridgeMate in any way in those situations..

North should check that the correct boards are held and that the correct EW pair are at the table.

Keep to time. Call for the Director if you are unsure there is sufficient time to play your last board. If you are still playing when you should be changing tables you will cause delay for many players.

Do not put your bidding cards away until after the first round of cards has been played.

The initial lead card should be placed face down on the table first, to check whether partner has any questions about the auction (“Any questions partner?”).

Unless you are to lead, do not play a card until your RHO has done so. A player who plays a card ‘Out of Rotation’ may be subject to a procedural penalty.

Any player may ask the meaning of a bid when it is that player's turn to bid or play, and the questions must be put to the bidder's partner rather than the player who made the bid.

Be courteous when speaking about the play of any player at the table.  See also Zero Tolerance Guide.

Do not hold long post-mortems unless you clearly have sufficient time left on the clock.

Do not handle other players’ cards. If you wish to see them, ask them to show you.

At the conclusion of play for a board, keep your played cards representing tricks won or lost arranged in front of you until all at the table are satisfied with the final contract and North has entered the results.

If you call for The Director, abide by his ruling. Do not disrupt a session by arguing with other players or a Director's ruling.  Also, see Zero Tolerance Policy.

When changing tables, please be quiet, and take your cups, glasses, bottles, etc. with you.  Remember that although you may be finished, others may still be playing.

ON COMPLETION OF PLAY OF A BOARD

NORTH

Enter the result at once and ask East or West to verify the entry.

After the result has been verified, if any other player requests information on previous results, North should provide this information discreetly so that it cannot be overheard at other tables.  This may be done orally or by showing the appropriate screen to other player(s) on request.

EAST

Check the score entered by North and, if you agree, press the ‘Accept’ button ONCE ONLY and pass the terminal back to North.  Neither East nor West is to manipulate the unit in any way other than to press "Accept".

SOUTH

Ensure the cards are not mixed during any review and that they are returned to their correct directional slots in the folder.

ALL

If making a claim, be certain you may do so, then explain your intended line of play clearly and unambiguously, with particular emphasis on how trumps would be handled.  If there is an objection the Director MUST be summoned.

Rev.  June 2013

Policy on Language

The BCCM has members from many different countries who speak a variety of languages. Occasionally a pair at the bridge table discusses a hand after play in their native language rather than using a language understood by all at the table. Sometimes this has led to criticisms of impoliteness, as the discussion excludes two of those at the table.

In a social context with four people gathered together, it might well be considered disrespectful to exclude two of them from the conversation by speaking a different language if there were an alternative. A bridge game is a different context. This distinction applies even though clearly the club has a social element, because the matter being discussed is normally one of private interest.

It is common to discuss the bidding or play of the hand briefly with one’s partner after the hand has been played. This is not a matter of general discussion or general interest.  Partners may wish to discuss the play in their own language. Even when all four players speak the same language, partners talk over the hand together with no particular wish to involve their opponents.

Once players have taken out the cards for a new board, then there should be no substantive discussion by any of the players in whatever language. Occasional small talk is acceptable provided it conveys no information about the hand. Therefore, it becomes a problem when players speak in a language not understood by others at the table after the cards have been taken out.

Zero Tolerance Policy

Introduction

The Bridge Club of Chiang Mai is committed to ensuring acceptable player behaviour at all times in accordance with the latest edition of the WBF Laws of Bridge.

The Bridge Club welcomes all players regardless of race, creed, religion, political affiliation, sexuality, national origin, gender, disability or their proficiency at Bridge.

The Bridge Club of Chiang Mai exists to provide for its members, visitors and friends an opportunity to play Bridge in a competitive but friendly and welcoming environment at all times.

Members are encouraged to greet visitors; be friendly and welcoming at the Bridge Table as well as commending their bidding and play.  Members are also encouraged to have and use Convention Cards.

Disputes and Misconduct

The Club will strive at all times to resolve disputes in a fair and amicable way.  The Club will not tolerate unacceptable behaviour such as:

• Badgering, rudeness, insinuations, intimidation, profanity, threats or violence
• Negative comments concerning opponents’ or partner’s play at the table or elsewhere
• Constant and gratuitous lessons and analyses at the table
• Loud or disruptive arguing about any subject, during or after the sessions and especially
  as a result of a Director’s ruling
   

The Session Director will, in the first instance, apply the Laws of Bridge and the rules of the Club.  Members can appeal a Director's decision relating to the procedural rules and laws of Bridge after the session and not later than 30 minutes after the results are posted.  Appeals should be made to the Director who will notify the Committee.

In the event of serious misconduct, as judged by the Session Director, which cannot be resolved at the table, the Director will report the matter to the Club Committee via the Chairperson.

The Club Committee has the authority to warn, discipline, suspend or expel any player who is judged to be in violation of this Zero Tolerance Policy or the club policies.  The Committee will meet promptly to make a ruling on warnings, suspensions or expulsions.  Any such ruling will be taken by a super majority vote of the Committee (currently 5 votes).  There is no appeal to a Committee's decision to expel if that decision is based on serious misconduct on the part of the expelled member.

A player who is expelled is not entitled to any award or refund of dues paid.

Any expulsion will be for the duration of the current Committee’s term.  Thereafter the player can apply again by letter or email to the Chair for re-admission.   To re-admit an expelled member, a super majority vote in favour of re-admission is required.  In the event the vote denies re-admission, then the original expulsion is extended for the duration of that current Committee’s term.

In all such matters, the decisions of the elected Committee of the Bridge Club of Chiang Mai are final.

  Rev.  June 2013

Opening Bids                                                                                                                   

Overcalls & Doubles

Weak Jump Overcall

Overcall

Take Out Double   (asking for partner's longest suit)

Redouble                  10 +  points

Negative Double     

Replies to 1C Opening                                                                                               

Replies to 1 D Opening               

Replies to 1 H Opening                                                                                            

Replies to 1 S Opening

Responses to 1NT Opening                                                                                

Conventions used after No Trump Openings

Jacoby Transfer     

Used after 1NT or 2NT opening bids, when you have a 5+ Card Major.

Can be weak or strong.

Stayman                                                                                                                            

Used after 1NT or 2NT opening bids when you have a 4 card major.

8+ points after 1NT

5+ points after 2NT.

After a 1NT (15-17HCP) opening a response of 2C asks your partner if they have a 4 card major.  Partner has to reply: 2D, 2H or 2S as below.  (After a 2NT opening the Stayman bid is 3C, and the replies are 3D, 3H, or 3S.)

Responses to 2NT Opening

Stayman and Jacoby Transfers are used for the majors.

Responses to a 2 C Opening.

ACBL:  Responder may NOT pass a 2C opening bid.

Openers rebid of 2NT = 22-24 points balanced hand (systems on)

Openers rebid of 3NT = 25-27 points balanced hand (systems on)

Slam Conventions                                                                                                      

Blackwood                                      

4 NT asks for aces and can be followed by 5 NT to ask for kings.

Gerber

Usually employed directly following a 1NT or 2NT opening bid. 4C asks for aces and can be followed by 5C to ask for kings.

OGUST - Response to a weak 2 opening bid

2 NT response usually promises 15+ high card points.  It asks for more information about the weak 2 hand.  Using Ogust, the weak 2 hand rebids:

Openers Rebids

Opener has bid 1 of a suit, responder has made a forcing bid wanting more information.

1. Opener's minimum hand 13 - 15 TPs

Openers rebids in this order of priority.

2. Opener's medium hand 16 - 18 TPs

Openers rebids in this order of priority.

3. Opener's maximum hand 19 - 21 TPs

Openers rebids in this order of priority.

Numbers to remember

* with a good distributions (10+ trump cards) slams may be bid with less HCP