FunBridge.com World Computer-Bridge Championship

Allowable Conventions and Systems

Allowable Conventions are based on the ACBL General Convention Chart.  More complex conventions, such as those appearing on the ACBL MidChart, are generally not allowed.  In addition, artificial opening one bids are not allowing.  In general, non-standard conventions and systems that require extensive programming by the opponent's are not allowed.  The list of allowable conventions can be found under Allowable Conventions and Alertable Bids.

Guidelines for the use of Table Manager and Manual Input (MI) of Alerted Bids

The Table Manager protocol to be observed is as defined on the BlueChipBridge website.

Using the Table Manager, play will be automatic, with no human intervention, except when an Alertable Bid is made. Manual Input (MI) can then be used to input the meaning of a bid.  MI consists of inputting the range of the opponent's suit lengths, high card points, and in some cases, specific controls.  MI may include any relevant information.  Given that a program may input the opponent's convention card before a match, the general guidelines are 'limited' MI.  MI will not be allowed for most bids, including some normally alertable conventional bids and bidding sequences (for example, transfers over 1NT opening bids).  MI will be limited to uncommon bids or sequences, uncommon conventional bids, and will include, but is not limited to, items marked in Red under Alertable Bids.  Also see the Alerting section at BlueChipBridge website.  Input may be made Electronically or Manually.  An operator may always revert to MI.

Regarding the use of MI...opponents must agree before a match whether to MI Alertable Bids as they are made, at the end of the auction, or not at all.  If an exception is requested during play it must be made to the Tournament Director (TD), not the opponent.  The TD may consult with the Tournament Committee (TC), or a person or committee appointed by the TC, to determine if MI should be allowed.  

The program or operator can give the meaning of a bid or sequence of bids.

If there is a question of Insufficient/Incomplete/Incorrect Information, and an Appeal is made, then the TD will resolve the Appeal, as stated in the CoC elsewhere.  The resolution should have fairness in mind.  Unlike in human play where the penalty is often resolved in an extreme manner, here our first choice is a replay with the correct information given.  If this is not possible then the TD or Appeals committee will resolve the issue.  THERE IS NOT INTENTION TO PENALIZE AN INADVERTENT AND INFREQUENT MIS-INFORMATION.

CONVENTION CARD

Allowable Conventions and Alertable Bids

Definition of "NATURAL":

  NOT ALERTABLE ALERTABLE - MI applies
NATURAL BIDS: about expected strength and shape unusual strength, shape or limitations, including opening 1C with 4-4-3-2 playing 5 card majors and 4 card diamond suit
ARTIFICIAL/ CONVENTIONAL
BIDS:
Stayman, Blackwood (4NT), Gerber/NT
Artificial one bids NOT ALLOWED  

Non-standard Ace asking bids

Drury, New Minor Forcing, 4th Suit Forcing, Lebonsohl, Weak Jump Shifts, Gambling 3NT, Inverted Minor Raises, Bergen raises, and other conventions not explicitly mentioned elsewhere

NT OPENINGS:
1. 1 NT


2. Higher NT
1. Natural NT openings with a 3 hcp range and a minimum of 12 to 16 hcps.  Overcall within the 15-18 hcp range.

2. Natural openings or overcalls

1. Conventional - NOT ALLOWED

2. Conventional - NOT ALLOWED

RESPONSES TO NT: a. Stayman (2C) asking for four card major and rebids
b. Forcing Suit-bids at the three-level
c. Natural signoffs of 2D, 2H, 2S
d. Transfers in all suits
e. 2S as Minor Suit Stayman
a. Stayman (2C) if other than asking for four card major and rebids
b. Notrump continuations after use of Stayman by responder which do not promise a major

c. all other artificial responses above 2C
d. Non Forcing suit responses at the three-level
OPENING SUIT BIDS: a. Natural 2 Bids (Weak)
b. Strong/forcing and artificial 2C
c.. Frequent very light (less than 10 HCP) third seat
d. 2C if not strong and Forcing
e. natural 2D, 2H, 2S if not weak (Acol)
a. Flannery 2D or 2H, Benjamin 2D
b. Canapé System
RESPONSES TO SUIT BIDS: a. Non-forcing 1NT response.
b. 1H or 1S response to 1C that may bypass a 4-card or longer diamond suit
c. 2/1 Game force
d. Negative. or waiting 2D/strong 2C or 2NT/strong 2
e. 2NT/2 level openings asking for clarification. Preemptive jump raises
f. NF 2NT/1-bid by UPH
g. 1NT rebid if strong or may bypass major(s)
a. 1NT responses to a major that are unusual, such as 1H-P-1NT showing spades
b. Non-Forcing suit bids by UPH
c. Natural jump shifts not GF and conventional jump shifts
d. 1NT/1C or 1D not denying four spades or four hearts
e. responses to alertable opening 2 bids
f. Bergan raises
OPENER'S REBIDS: a. Two of a minor after a forcing 1NT or semi-forcing 1NT that could be three cards
b. 1NT rebid if strong or may bypass major(s)
a. Artificial or asking Bids
b. non-natural game tries
OTHER CONSTRUCTIVE CALLS: a. Preemptive jump raise/Double
b. Limit or forcing jump raise over Double
 
DEFENSIVE BIDS: a. Jumps to 2NT or any 4-level or higher NT bid that is unusual.
b. 1NT overcall by a passed hand that is unusual.
c. Non-Jump Unusual NT
d. Very light Overcalls (fewer than 6 HCP)
e. Weak Jump Advances
f. Jump overcalls which are intermediate or better
Jump overcall indicating at least 5-4 distribution in two known suits and responses thereto.
CUEBIDS: Most meanings of cuebids.
a. An offer to play in a suit or denomination named naturally by an opponent. 
b. The bid is very unusual, for example, 1S-2H-Pass-2S, where 2S is a transfer to clubs.
DOUBLES:

1. Type One are when partner has made no call other than PASS, it's EARLY in the Auction and BELOW the level of 4S, OR it's the USUAL Negative Double below 4S, after partner has opened one of a suit.

NOT ALERTABLE ALERTABLE
Takeout
Lead Suit Doubled
Penalty
Unusual Non-Penalty

2. Type Two are when partner has made any call other than PASS or the double is: of NT, or a call ABOVE 4H or it's LATE in the auction.

NOT ALERTABLE ALERTABLE
Penalty (Penaltyish) Non-Penalty

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