Bidding in depth
Which of partner’s calls you alert, which you announce and which you leave alone depends on where you play. BidMaestro follows the rules you choose in Settings.
An alert tells the opponents that partner’s call has a special meaning they might not expect. You say “Alert” or show the alert card straight after partner bids, and the opponents may then ask what it means. An announcement goes one step further: you say the meaning aloud straight away, for example “15 to 17” after partner opens 1NT. Most calls need neither.
You alert or announce partner’s calls, never your own. Behind screens both partners alert, each to the opponent on their own side of the screen. Online, each player alerts their own calls.
In Settings › Alerts choose one of five sets of rules. The USA is the starting choice.
Clubs and congresses follow their national rules. The European and World rules apply only at those bodies’ own events. Other countries, such as New Zealand, Scotland and Ireland, have rules of their own that differ in detail.
During the bidding the Alert button flashes when partner’s call should be alerted, and the Announce button flashes when it should be announced. Tap either one to see why. When a conventional call is not alerted under your chosen rules, tapping Alert tells you so and gives the reason.
“Alert” means alert straight away; “Announce” gives the words to say; “No alert” means say nothing.
| Call | USA and Canada | Australia | England | Europe | World |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1NT opening | Announce the range | Announce the range | Announce the range | No alert | No alert |
| 1♣ opening | Announce “Could be two” if it may hold two clubs; otherwise no alert | Always announce the fewest clubs it can hold: “3+”, or “2+” if it may hold two | Announce “May be two” if it may hold two clubs; otherwise no alert | No alert | No alert |
| Weak two opening | No alert | No alert | Announce “Weak” | No alert | No alert |
| Strong 2♣ opening, and the 2♦ reply | No alert | Alert | Alert | Alert | Alert |
| Stayman 2♣ over 1NT | No alert (alert over partner’s balancing 1NT) | No alert (alert if an opponent has bid) | Announce “Stayman” | Alert | Alert |
| Stayman 3♣ over 2NT | No alert | Alert | Announce “Stayman” | Alert | Alert |
| Opener’s 2♦ reply to Stayman | No alert | Alert | No alert | Alert | Alert |
| Puppet Stayman 3♣ and its replies | 3♣ no alert; replies alert | Alert | Alert | Alert | Alert |
| Jacoby transfer | Announce the suit shown (“Hearts”) | Alert | Announce the suit shown | Alert | Alert |
| Texas transfer | Announce the suit shown | No alert | Announce the suit shown | Alert | Alert |
| Transfer super-accept | No alert | Alert | Alert | Alert | Alert |
| Forcing or semi-forcing 1NT response to a major | Announce “Forcing” or “Semi-forcing” (first or second seat only) | Forcing: alert. Semi-forcing: no alert | Forcing: announce “Forcing”. Up to 12 points: announce “Up to 12” | No alert | Alert |
| Two-over-one game-forcing response | No alert | No alert | Announce “Natural, game-forcing” | No alert | No alert |
| Inverted minor raise 1m–2m | Alert | Alert | Alert | Alert | Alert |
| Weak jump raise (1m–3m) | Alert if the opponents passed | Alert if the opponents passed | Alert if the next hand passed | Alert | Alert |
| Jacoby 2NT | Alert | Alert | Alert | Alert | Alert |
| Bergen raises | Alert | Alert | Alert | Alert | Alert |
| Splinter bids | Alert (at 3NT or higher from opener’s rebid on, explain at the end of the auction) | Alert below 4♣ only | Alert; above 3NT only on the first round | Alert; at the four level only on the first round | Alert |
| Help-suit game try | No alert | Alert | No alert | No alert | No alert |
| Cue-bid raise | No alert | No alert | Alert | Alert | Alert |
| Michaels cue-bid | No alert | No alert | Alert | Alert | Alert |
| Unusual 2NT | No alert | Alert | Alert | Alert | Alert |
| Negative double | No alert | No alert | After 1m and their 1-major overcall, announce the other major. Otherwise no alert | No alert | Alert |
| Responsive double | No alert | No alert | No alert | No alert | Alert |
| Reopening takeout double | No alert | No alert | No alert | No alert | No alert |
| Support double | No alert | No alert | Alert | No alert | Alert |
| Lebensohl 2NT | Alert | Alert | Alert | Alert | Alert |
| Fourth Suit Forcing, New Minor Forcing | Alert | Alert | Alert | Alert | Alert |
| Control bids | Explain at the end of the auction | Alert below 4♣ only | Alert at 3NT or below | Alert below the four level | Alert |
| Keycard 4NT and its replies | 4NT no alert; explain the replies at the end of the auction | No alert | No alert | No alert | Alert |
| Gerber 4♣ | No alert directly over notrump | No alert | Alert straight over 1NT or 2NT | Alert on the first round | Alert |
