[James617]

It isn't alertable at the table but TD today
said on BBO it is. Correct?

[Vampyr]

James617, on 2020-October-17, 09:54, said:

It isn't alertable at the table but TD today
said on BBO it is. Correct?

On BBO there are self-alerts, so it makes sense to alert everything.

[James617]

Vampyr, on 2020-October-17, 10:15, said:

On BBO there are self-alerts, so it makes sense to alert everything.

On reflection I agree. But is there a rule or does the TD just use
'common sense'. (Yes I am a TD, non-practising)

[Vampyr]

James617, on 2020-October-17, 10:22, said:

On reflection I agree. But is there a rule or does the TD just use
'common sense'. (Yes I am a TD, non-practising)

The EB sky blue book says to alert bids above three 3Nt but not doubles and re-doubles. I do not know the regulations of any other regulating authorities. BBO’s regulations should be available somewhere.

[pescetom]

James617, on 2020-October-17, 10:22, said:

On reflection I agree. But is there a rule or does the TD just use
'common sense'. (Yes I am a TD, non-practising)

Unfortunately the WBF has not yet regulated online bridge.
The EBU has a set of guidelines that are better than nothing, the only RA that has made any attempt AFAIK.
BBO leaves these things up to the Director who may feel bound by an RA or may not: ultimately he has to use a lot of 'common sense' in any case.
BBO has made implementation choices which to some extent constitute new rules, for instance the claims mechanism which cannot be turned off and the undo mechanism which cannot be turned off for play only.
It's all a bit of a mess.

[paulg]

The BBO Rules include this guideline to alerting:

Quote

All members should understand that, due to the fact that we have members from all over the world as well as members of all levels of ability and experience, not all players will agree on which bids should be alerted and which bids should be considered "standard".

The management of BBO is not going to get involved with trying to make rules in this area. It is up to our members to try their best to provide their opponents with information that may be helpful to them. Always remember that it is against the laws and spirit of the game of bridge to conceal information about your partnership agreements from your opponents.

The BBO software is designed so that players alert their own bids. This is called "self-alerting" and it is opposite to the approach that is used in live bridge clubs and tournaments. If you have any doubt as to whether one of your bids should be alerted or not, it is appropriate to alert.

If an opponent asks you for the meaning of one of your bids, you are expected to answer them politely, even if you think the answer is obvious. An appropriate answer can be "I have never discussed this with my partner". You do not have to tell the opponents how you intend your bid - only what you have agreed with your partner. It is innapropriate to use chat to explain your bids to your partner unless you get permission from the opponents first.

However most TDs will be running a tournament for an organisation that has established rules in this area. Many NBOs say that alerts on BBO do apply above 3NT.