Short, practical guides for a comfortable and confident Cotton Club Sectional
New to tournament bridge? Played only a tournament or two? Or has it simply been a while? Check back every few days for another Tournament Tip.
TOURNAMENT TIP #3
Alerts & Announcements: What You Need to Know
Which bids do you Alert? Which ones do you Announce? And just as important—when should you say nothing at all?
The ACBL updated its Alert Procedures on February 16, 2026. Before the Cotton Club Sectional, take a few minutes to review Tip #3 for the rules, common examples, and the proper way to make an Alert—including the visual signal that is often overlooked in club games.
A one-page companion checklist, "Alerts & Announcements We Often Forget, " is also available for review before the tournament.
COMING NEXT: "Calling the Director Is Normal"
TOURNAMENT TIP #2
Get Your Convention Card Ready
At our Monroe and Ruston club games, we've generally been pretty relaxed about requiring convention cards. Tournament play is more formal. Find out what ACBL expects, why opponents may want to see your card—even before the first board—and why you can't consult your own card during the auction or play.
What’s different from your regular club game? Learn what happens when you arrive, how sessions work, what you’ll encounter at the table, and what you don’t need to worry about.
