ACBL Alert Procedures
Issued byACBLAmerican Contract Bridge League
EditionFebruary 2026
In force from16 February 2026
StatusIn force
LanguageEnglish
The ACBL’s rules on Alerts and Announcements, with a long list of worked examples. Different from WBF/EBL practice in places: for instance transfers and some notrump ranges are Announced rather than Alerted. Uses the definitions of the Convention Charts.
Alerting at a glance
- Basic rule
- Natural calls are not alerted; artificial calls are. Some common agreements are announced instead.
- How to alert
- Partner says "Alert" (or shows the alert card).
- Announcements
- Yes: the 1NT range, transfers, forcing or semi-forcing 1NT responses, and minor-suit openings that may be short ("Could be one").
- Natural 1NT opening
- Announce the range, e.g. "15 to 17".
- Transfers after 1NT
- Announce the suit shown, e.g. "Spades". A bid showing either of two suits is alerted.
- Doubles
- Below 3NT: alert unless the meaning is one of the listed standard ones. Doubles of 3NT or higher are never alerted.
- Pre-alerts
- Required when a system has a one-level opening that is artificial or forcing (e.g. "We play a strong club").
- Good to know
- Also applies in Canada and Mexico. Current text effective 16 February 2026.
More from American Contract Bridge League
| Document | Issued by | Edition | Official text |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laws of Duplicate Bridge — ACBL edition and options | ACBL | 2017, with 2024 update | Web ↗ |
| ACBL Convention Charts | ACBL | — | Web ↗ |
| Duplicate Decisions (club director's guide) | ACBL | Revised 2026 | Web ↗ |
The world standard
| Document | Issued by | Edition | Official text |
|---|---|---|---|
| WBF Alerting Policy | WBF | Revised August 2022 | PDF ↗ |
This page is a summary written by Bridge Timer. The official text published by American Contract Bridge League is the only authoritative version.
← All rules & docsLink checked 2026-10-01 · source: American Contract Bridge League