Vampyr, on 2021-October-30, 18:15, said:
Well, that is not really true. I have played in about a dozen NBOs that aren’t my own, and I am nowhere near the “top of the top”
You absolutely are. So am I. Yes, I realize the difference between us and National Championship level is massive - but you try, and so do I, and that's the thing - and the difference between National Championship level and actual chance to win a World Championship is also massive.
But my experience and skill put me at about the top 10-15% of players that have to care about dumb things like convention and Alert regulations, and my guess from our history is that you are at my level or the next rung up. There are tens of thousands of players in the EBU below you, and over a hundred thousand in the ACBL below me.
Yes, Europe is special, especially years ago (and I did mention the Britain weirdness last time as well); but anybody actually interested in playing in the EBL events, or rich enough to travel out of country and play bridge or capable enough to be sent out of the country for work and play bridge is rarefied air, even in Europe.
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I have never found this a problem, even at my level.
Which is, in fact, my point.
Many years ago I found out that the teachers at the University club I was in were saying "don't let [Mycroft] near the novices". When I was told that - by one of the novices - I went and asked. They explained that I had forgotten the first two levels of bridge players so completely that my "simple answers for new players" were still so far over their heads that it was Charlie Brown land. (As a sop, but I think accurate, they said that once they get past novice level, to the point where they could understand answers that started "it depends...", I was one of the best people to send those players to.)
I have tried to remember that lesson (in bridge, and in life) ever since. I have noticed the same thing in many other people - especially those who "know how much they don't know". I would suggest this is a similar thing.
I would point you at the Acol Club thread if you want to see it in your world (or the many many clubs, the opinion of the players if you and Paul showed up - especially the second time - that would be clearly obvious on their faces). *Those players* don't go to den Haag for a week and play bridge, or maybe even to Edinburgh, never mind playing in actual Euro tournaments or the ACBL (well, except for BBO).
Re: the actual differences. s/Artificial bids.*etc./Things that everyone plays aren't Alertable, things that not everyone plays are/ and your last paragraph makes exactly the same sense. It's not your comfort level, but it is definitely a different way to "not be more complicated at any level". For one thing, the "permanent Cs" can rely on the fact that "nothing's Alertable" (okay, the new rules have changed that, but if they can remember NT and transfer Announcements, they can remember to explain their Blackwood auction eventually. Note: they can't/aren't willing to remember their NT and transfer Announcements) and they don't have to worry about all those Alerts as "so, is this what I and everyone plays, or is it something weird I need to know/ask about?" or get upset when they assume the Alert and find out it's wrong (the Michaels vs Top/Bottom cuebids game, say, or Bergen vs Fit vs mini-Splinter jumps (note, I don't know what Artificial J/S is "common" in England) or "is this Alerted double penalty, or competitive, or something weird like transfer to spades, or good raise, or stopper ask?"
I do sort of agree with PaulG. I think the ACBL Alert procedures are written for our level, give or take, and for tournament regulars. But I will guess that 75% of active ACBL players play in at least one tournament a year (maybe in the 199er or Gold Rush, but still). Not sure what the ratio is in England.
When I go to sea, don't fear for me, Fear For The Storm -- Birdie and the Swansong (tSCoSI)
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Non-EBU partnerships agree this double to be T/O of 1♥
IMO, the rule should be "announce the meaning of all calls".
IMO, information from the announcement should be authorised to both sides.
I understand why Vampyr might not like this
But this would eliminate the need for local alert regulations
and reduce controversial rulings