[dickiegera]

---

Used to show 12+ pts and make a "game force".

Told after hand was over and asked by opponents.

Legal?
Alertable?

[Stephen Tu]

ACBL has deemed bids in a minor showing 3+ cards as "natural" and not alertable.

If it was 2+ clubs then alertable.

[barmar]

What else do you expect him to bid?

[Phil]

I play 2♣ as 2+ so I alert but even if I played 3+ I'd still alert - at least before the opening lead, even though I don't have to.

Personally I think it's good form but it also prevents curious opponents from asking too much about it.

[jeffford76]

Bidding 2♣ with exactly 3=4=3=3 shape is totally normal. 2♥ shows 5, and you want four trump to make a forcing raise. It's different if you bid 2♣ on other shapes. I use it as GF clubs or balanced, and of course alert it.

[ggwhiz]

barmar, on 2016-July-08, 08:23, said:

What else do you expect him to bid?

Exactly. And alerting that it could be this hand which happens every other decade is blowing smoke and a disservice to the opponents.

[barmar]

Does anyone alert their reverses and jump shifts because they might be 3-card suits, because opener needs a forcing bid?

I think all of these things are "just bridge". It would probably be more appropriate to alert them when they guaranteed 4+ cards, presumably because you have a gadget that obviates having to "manufacture" these bids. But ACBL doesn't generally require alerts for negative inferences like this.