[blml] A lawbook wish: Clarify "convention"

[Marvin French]

The ACBL defines "natural" in the ACBL General Convention Chart, in
which it is *implied* (not stated) that a non-natural bid is a
convention. Of course they can't actually say that, because bidding a
three-card major (or overcalling in a three-card suit) is certainly not
a convention according to the Laws, and therefore barring it is illegal.

I put this to the test at an NABC and found that the (illegal) rule was
not a rigid one. After I opened 1S with Axx spades, I was lectured by
ACBL Recorder Gary Blaiss, who reminded me that the bid was not
"natural," and therefore the occurrence would be entered in my dossier.
No score adjustment, however, nor were the consequences of repeat
instances told me. I think the only consequence would be that my opening
major-suit bids would have to be Alerted.

The wording in the GCC is typical of bureaucrats. An opening suit bid or
response in a major suit "is considered natural" if it shows four or
more cards in that suit. Why not just say it "is natural"? Is making a
definite statement too difficult for them?

The GCC goes on to say that an overcall in a suit is considered natural
if by agreement it shows four or more cards in the denomination named.
Oh, very good, "if it shows" becomes "if it shows by agreement" and "in
that suit" becomes "in the denomination named," very classy.

The word "natural" doesn't appear in the Laws (except in a minor
footnote), and has no place in a "Convention" chart. A call is either a
convention or it isn't, that's it.

Marv
Marvin L. French
San Diego, California
www.marvinfrench.com