[blml] Disclosure f2f

[Guthrie]

[nige1]
Whatever happens in other games, the point is that Bridge-players from
different jurisdictions often play Bridge against each other and local
rules impose an unfair and unnecessary extra home advantage.
[Stefanie Rowan]
Where and when is this happening?
[nige2]
Everywhere everyday.

[nige1]
Please note also: the *disclosure* suggestion ...
- is *not* that everybody *bids* according to the same system;
- it is that we disclose *departures* from the same system.
[Stefanie]
It does require that everyone learn an additional system.  I don't 
know how much club bridge you play, Nigel, but I can assure you that I 
know many people who have played for years and have managed to achieve 
only a passing familiarity with the system they actually play. 
Learning an additional system is completely out of the question for 
these people.
[nige2]
IMO it is fair to compare like with like. I teach beginners Standard 
English Acol but it is remarkable how many have picked up the 
ruidiments of "Strong notrump and five card majors" (Some of them from 
on-line play; others from experience abroad). They would all have a 
head start if they had to disclose departures from such a system. 
Contrast that with knowledge of local regulations. Few local players 
(even experienced players) have read the EBU Orange Book and fewer 
conform to its regulations. I guess a similar state of affairs obtains 
in other jurisdictions.

[nige1]
A global standard is a far-off ideal to which we can aspire.
[Stefanie]
"Ideal"?  To paraphrase the Pretenders, nothing is perfect; not even a 
perfect disaster.  I think that a homogeneous worldwide bridge culture 
would be very sad.  It's like walking down a high street and seeing 
The Gap, Benetton, Starbucks, Pizza Hut, the Body Shop and Borders. 
Can you tell what country you are in?  Can you bring yourself to care? 
  Well, at least you won't have to deal with unfamiliarity.
[nige1]
IMO shops and games are different. I think games are fairer if played 
by familiar rules.

[nige1]
As explained earlier, many times, however, you don't need a globally
imposed standard system to allow a more comprehensive global set of
*basic disclosure rules*. Local standard systems can achieve that 
sub-goal.
[Stefanie]
That's what we have here in the UK.  Announcements and alerts are 
basically used for deviations from "Standard English" (a system that 
nobody actually plays, but which is somewhat similar to the standard 
systems played at rubber bridge clubs.)
[nige2]
I agree with Stephanie that the EBU Orange book alert regulations 
implicitly define an unplayable system not too far removed from 
"Standard English". Hence, at least until there is a global standard, 
our local regulations would be simpler and better if they defined 
"Standard English" as a local "Standard" from which we disclosed 
departures. As previously explained, one advantage (of many) would be 
that beginners wouldn't need to alert or announce anything.