RMB1, on 2016-November-02, 08:37, said:
Assuming 2♠ is NF, it alertable: BB 4H2(c)(3)
When the auction was initially explained to me it wasn't made clear that the opening bid had been doubled, so it was clear in my mind that 2
♠ should have been alerted. When I found out about the double, I thought that relieved West of the need to alert, but I thought I'd better check in the Blue Book to make sure.
This was the regulation I remembered:
Quote
[BB2012] 5 G 2 Because they have a potentially unexpected meaning, players must alert:
[...]
(c) Responses to an opening bid of one of a suit:
[...]
(4) A non-forcing new suit response unless:
(a) The response is a double or triple jump;
(b) The response is at the game or slam level;
(c) Responder has previously passed;
(d) The opening bid was doubled; or
(e) The opening bid was overcalled with a natural no trump bid.
I was looking for something like this in the 2016 Blue Book, and didn't find it. I had no idea this regulation had changed. It seems regressive, in that a natural treatment that is gaining popularity has gone from not requiring to requiring an alert. Anyway, I was right first time, and it did require an alert.
When we were discussing the hands in the pub after the game another pair had the same start to the auction and passed 3
♦, so pass seems to be a logical alternative. I suppose whether bidding on is suggested or not depends on how likely it is that partner will remember the agreement during the next round.