[awm]

Are either of these alertable under ACBL rules?

1♣ - Pass - 1♠ - 2♣(1)

1♣ - Pass - 1♥ - Pass
1♠ - 2♣(1)

(1) Natural, showing clubs

[blackshoe]

As I read the regulation, no, neither requires an alert.

[TylerE]

I'm not sure I agree, especially in the first case. If it shows clubs, it's not really a cue in the traditional sense, and I would expect that to fall under the "Unusual/highly unexpected" clause., however the ACBL (as per usual) does a poor job of actually documenting the alert procedure in this case.

[blackshoe]

What does "a cue in the traditional sense" mean? The Alert Chart defines it thusly:

Quote

Cuebid: A bid in a suit which an opponent has either bid naturally or in which he has shown four or more cards.<sup>1

1</sup>While most cuebids are conventional some are, by partnership agreement, treated as natural. 1♣-P-1♠-2♠ is one example of a cuebid commonly treated as natural.

I think we have to go with the Chart's definition.

[chrism]

The quote below is verbatim from the ACBLscore Tech files. The last two lines are clear: no alert is required for natural direct overcalls in either of opponents' two naturally-bid suits.

As usual, I can find no single set of explicit regulations that confirms the accuracy of all the instances cited. Searching ACBL's online resources for a definitive, unambiguous set of regulations covering all conventional treatments and alertability requirements is like the Quest for El Dorado - long, covering a great deal of territory, and doomed.

Quote

4) CUEBIDS
Most cuebids are not Alertable. However, any cuebid which conveys a
very unusual or unexpected meaning still requires an Alert.

EXAMPLE: 1S-2H-P-2S
If the 2S bid is a heart raise with values or some constructive hand,
no Alert is required. If the 2S bid is a transfer to clubs, an Alert
is required.

EXAMPLE: 1D-2D
If the 2D bid shows the majors (Michaels), clubs and spades
(top/bottom) or some other two-suiter (not including diamonds, no
Alert is required.

CUEBID COMPILATION
This collection of direct cuebids and alert requirements was compiled
by Rick Beye and Mike Flader in summer 2005.
1H - 2H = takeout, Alert only if for hearts
1S - 2S = takeout, Alert only if for spades
1C - 2C = takeout, Alert only if for clubs
1C* - 2C = takeout, Alert only if for clubs
*could be short
1D* - 2D = takeout, Alert only if for diamonds
*could be short
1C* - 2C = takeout, Alert only if for clubs
*Polish Club, could be short, could be strong
2C* - 3C = takeout, Alert only if for clubs
*Precision-style, 5 plus clubs
2D* - 2H = Alert only if for hearts
*Majors (such as Flannery)
2D* - 2S = alert only if for spades
*Majors
The following are not considered cuebids:
1C* - 2C = clubs, any other meaning Alert
*Precision, strong/artificial
2D* - 3D = diamonds, any other meaning Alert
*Majors
2D* - 2M or 3m = natural, no cuebid available, Alert other meanings
*any 3 suits
2C* - 3C = clubs, Alert other meanings
*strong, artificial & forcing
1D-P-1H-2H = if natural or 2-suited takeout, no Alert
1D-P-1H-2D = if natural or 2-suited takeout, no Alert