Question from a participant: Does a 4H/4S pre-empt need to be alerted if the partnership also plays Namyats?
The ACBL alert chart doesn't directly answer the question. However, it does say that natural calls not specifically noted must be alerted if they have "unusual strength, shape, etc." Therefore I conclude that four of a major pre-empts as part of the Namyats convention must be alerted. (Players using the Namyats convention, which is Stayman spelled backwards, also use 4 clubs and 4 diamonds as major suit pre-empts, usually with the minor suit opening showing more strength than the direct bid of four of a major.) Alerting, even when not absolutely required, is good practice whenever it is possible that the opponents may not understand the bid. There is no penalty for alerting to meet the general goal of full disclosure, even when not strictly required. However, in this case, I believe it is strictly required.
The ACBL alert chart doesn't directly answer the question. However, it does say that natural calls not specifically noted must be alerted if they have "unusual strength, shape, etc." Therefore I conclude that four of a major pre-empts as part of the Namyats convention must be alerted. (Players using the Namyats convention, which is Stayman spelled backwards, also use 4 clubs and 4 diamonds as major suit pre-empts, usually with the minor suit opening showing more strength than the direct bid of four of a major.) Alerting, even when not absolutely required, is good practice whenever it is possible that the opponents may not understand the bid. There is no penalty for alerting to meet the general goal of full disclosure, even when not strictly required. However, in this case, I believe it is strictly required.
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