| Why "Devil in the Details?" An Introduction |
Gregg Hurwitz writes a series called "Orphan X" in which Evan Smoak as the Nowhere Man, saves the downtrodden very much like the more familiar "Equalizer." Evan has a philosophy about preparedness which is: How you do anything, is how you do everything. This seems to me to apply directly to duplicate bridge. You should not play to one standard in a Club game but to another in a Sectional, Regional or rare National tournament. The Laws do not change at any level. Nor should active ethics, zero tolerance, alert procedures, or conventions. I am starting a series of articles which will include a deeper dive into things often ignored at the club level and which may or may not be tolerated at a Sectional or higher event. My purpose is not to be nit picking but rather emphasize how you do everything, matters. Check out "The Devil's Page" (coming soon) for previous articles under the Education Tab.
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| Last updated : Sep 28, 2026 08:41 CDT |
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| The Devil is in the Details II - Convention Card |
The rule regarding the use of convention cards is actually a bit of an inverse, at the Club level the restrictions are not in place (except by Local Rule.) This rule only applies at Sectional and higher events: “Each player is required to have a Convention Card legibly filled out and on the table throughout the session. Both cards of a partnership must be identical.” Why worry about it in a club game? How you do anything, is how you do everything for starters. Even practiced partnerships will have things they do not think about until they happen and remembering particular agreements may be helped by a pregame refresher.
From the ACBL General Conditions of Contest - All Events
CONVENTIONS AND CONVENTION CARDS
The appropriate ACBL Convention Chart will govern bidding and play methods, as defined by the Chart Usage parameters for the level of the event. A partnership is responsible for knowing its methods. In cases of potential misinformation, it is the obligation of the offending side to prove
actual agreement.
4. ACBL convention cards or convention cards that are similar must be used at all ACBL sectional- or higher-rated events. The color red on the convention card indicates that the agreement must be alerted but the Alert Procedures are the final authority in disputed cases. Similarly, blue indicates a call requiring an announcement.
5. Each member of a partnership must have a completed convention card available.
a. Both cards of a partnership must be identical.
b. If a TD determines that neither player has a substantially completed card, the partnership may only play the ACBL Standard American Yellow Card (SAYC), if available, or other basic methods approved by the TD, and may only use standard carding. This restriction may only be lifted at the beginning of a subsequent round after convention cards have been properly prepared and approved by the TD. Further, the partnership will receive a 1/6 board matchpoint penalty for each board played, commencing with the next round and continuing until the restriction is lifted. In IMP-scored team games, penalties shall be at the discretion of the TD.
c. If the TD determines the partnership has at least one substantially completed Convention Card but has not fully complied with ACBL regulations, then the TD may give warnings or, if the deficiency is not corrected in a timely manner given the circumstances, assign such penalties as he deems appropriate.
As an interesting aside. While a completed convention card is not required in Club Games a card showing "carding methods" Is to wit: 4) A pair must have a carding agreement listed on their convention cards. This requirement is not part of the subsection limited to Sectional and higher rated tournaments.
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The rule regarding the use of convention cards is actually a bit of an inverse, at the Club level the restrictions are not in place (except by Local Rule.) This rule only applies at Sectional and higher events: “Each player is required to have a Convention Card legibly filled out and on the table throughout the session. Both cards of a partnership must be identical. ..........
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| Last updated : Oct 2, 2026 09:06 CDT |
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| Poser XXX A Forcing Pass? |
Poser: When Is a Forcing Pass Alertable?
Click to Reveal the Full Poser (Parts I & II)
Part I — O.M.G. What Is a “Forcing Pass”?
A Forcing Pass is any Pass that, by partnership agreement, does not mean “I’m done.” Instead, it carries a special meaning such as:
- “Partner, you are not allowed to pass — you must act.”
- “My Pass shows values or a specific hand type.”
- “This Pass is part of a pass/double/bid structure.”
“The default rule for Natural bids and Passes is that they should not be alerted… The default rule for Artificial bids, Doubles, and Redoubles is that they should be alerted…”
A Forcing Pass is not natural. It has a special, agreed meaning. Therefore it is artificial and must be Alerted.
Alert Timing:
- If the Forcing Pass occurs below 3NT → Immediate Alert.
- If the Forcing Pass occurs above 3NT → Delayed Alert.
Special Note: Interference over a2♣ artificial strong opening creates one of the clearest forcing‑pass structures in bridge:
Pass = values (forcing), Double = weak. This is always Alertable (immediate unless the overcall is above 3NT).
Part II — The Four Real Forcing‑Pass Situations
1. Forcing Pass after our side has bid game
| North |
East |
South |
West |
| 1♠ |
3♦ |
4♠ |
5♦ |
| Pass |
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Explanation: Once our side has bid game (here, 4♠), any Pass by partner is forcing. We are not allowed to sell out.
Alert: Delayed (auction above 3NT).
2. Forcing Pass created by a forcing cuebid
| North |
East |
South |
West |
| 1♦ |
1♠ |
Double |
3♠ |
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| 4♠ |
5♠ |
Pass |
Pass |
| ??? |
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Explanation: South’s Double is a NEGATIVE DOUBLE, showing values and the unbid suits. North’s 4♠ is a *forcing cuebid* which creates a game‑forcing auction to 5 Hearts or 5 Diamonds. When East competes to 5♠, South’s Pass is forcing — asking partner to choose: bid on or double. Alert: Delayed (auction above 3NT).
Explanation: South’s Double was a forcing cuebid that created a game‑forcing auction. When the opponents compete to 5♠, North’s Pass is forcing, asking partner to choose: bid on or double.
Alert: Delayed (auction above 3NT).
3. Forcing Pass after a strong 2♣ opening and any overcall
| North |
East |
South |
West |
| 2♣ |
2♠ |
Pass |
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Explanation: After a strong 2♣ opening, the partnership is forced to at least 2NT or 3 of a suit. South’s Pass cannot be natural — it is forcing and shows values. South’s Double would show weakness.
Alert: Immediate if below 3NT; Delayed if the overcall is at the 4‑level.
4. Expert Level: Pass instead of a negative double is a special agreement
| North |
East |
South |
West |
| 1♣ |
1♠ |
Pass |
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Explanation: In some expert partnerships, Pass is a special forcing agreement showing a hand type that will act later. Double is the “normal” negative double; Pass is the stronger or special‑shape action.
Alert: Immediate (below 3NT).
In all four cases, the Pass is artificial and therefore Alertable. The only question is whether the Alert is Immediate or Delayed.
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| Last updated : Oct 10, 2026 09:21 CDT |
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| More Posers? |
If you liked this week’s Poser or found it interesting there are more than twenty "Old Posers" on the Old Poser Page under the Education Wing tab.
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| Last updated : Feb 25, 2026 16:44 CST |
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| The Slam Competition |
UPDATE 9/14/26 SLAMS Update! Audrey tops of the Slam List with 13 slams 12 Small and 1 Grand Slam thus far this year. Audrey plays back and forth with Sue and Glenn. Here is her list. The full list is found under the Competions tab, then Slams.
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Congratulations Audrey!
The competition chart shows slams bid and made. 1 point for a small slam, and 3 points for a grand slam will be tallied for the successful pairs. The competition will go all year and includes all three games. Thus, self handicapping a bit. Play three times a week you have more opportunity to add to your slam total. Play only once?? Well, your slam total may not grow as fast as someone else's total. Is there a prize? WHAT?? Isn't fame enough?
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| Last updated : Sep 14, 2026 22:48 CDT |
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