Lesson 9(c) - Suit openings at the three level and above

Pre-emptive Openings

Opening pre-empts are bids at the three level or higher. They describe a 'bad' hand (not strong enough in HCP to open at the one level) with a good long suit, usually 7+.    

While you describe your own hand fairly precisely you make it difficult for the opposition to find their best spot because your pre-empt takes away some of their room to explore. They may end up in the wrong strain, in game instead of slam – or vice versa, or double you for a penalty when it is not as good a score as fulfilling their own contract. 

Position at the table is of some relevance.  First and third seats are ideal for pre-empts.  As dealer, the odds are in your favour: there are two opponents who may have strong hands to upset and only one partner.  In second seat, when RHO has passed, the odds are less attractive – one opponent, one partner - for other than a very disciplined pre-empt.  Third in hand, since partner has passed, offers more scope for bold pre-empting.  In fourth seat there is no-one with a good hand to confound! 

The hand should not contain a side 4-card major as you may miss a better contract in that suit - it is impossible to discover a 4-4 fit at a high level. 

A pre-emptive opening is based on playing tricks rather than HCP.  It is a hand too weak in HCP to open at the one level.  The normal range is 6-10 HCP and at least a decent 7-card suit with more points inside the suit than out.  A 6-card suit is even possible at favourable vulnerability.    

How do you count your playing tricks?  In your long suit count the ace, king and queen as winners, and every card after the third card as a winner.  In your side suits count an ace or KQ as one winner, a protected king as a half, AQ as one and a half. 

 

The Rule of Three and Two

Your choice of pre-emptive bid depends very much on vulnerability.  Your number of playing tricks should be three less than your bid when you are not vulnerable (green) and only two less when you are vulnerable (red).  The idea of the Rule of Three and Two is that if they double and partner supplies no tricks the price will be well worth it if they can make a vulnerable game or any slam. 

If your number of playing tricks includes a half-trick, what do you bid?  Let the vulnerability guide you.  Count up a half at equal vulnerability (both red, both green) or at favourable vulnerability (you are green and they are red).  Count down a half at unfavourable vulnerability (red vs green).

e.g. ªKQxxxxx ©x ¨Axx §xx has 7 PT. Open 3ª vul and 4ª non-vul 

Remember that it is by no means compulsory to open with a pre-empt just because you hold a long suit.  Pass or opening one of a suit may well be better options. 

 

Responding to pre-empts

 

¨    Work out partner’s number of playing tricks by deducting 3 if your side is not vulnerable and 2 if vulnerable. 

¨    Add the honour tricks in your own hand.  A, K or Q in partner’s suit counts as one trick.  In side suits, A=1, AK=2, AQ=1½, KQ=1, K=½. 

¨    With trump support for partner, add points for distribution. 

¨    If the total is less than partner’s bid or just enough for the contract, pass. 

¨    Bid game or slam with enough tricks and not two quick losers in the combined hands. 

¨    Consider game in notrumps over a three-level pre-empt in a minor.  You need a strong balanced hand with at least one stopper in each outside suit and preferably better than a rag doubleton in partner’s suit. 

¨    Change of suit is forcing.  Over three of a minor you may shift to a strong 5 or 6-card major looking for support.  Otherwise, prefer to stick with partner’s suit. 

¨    With a weak or moderate hand and no support, don’t try to rescue partner.  Just pass.

¨    At favourable vulnerability don’t be afraid to raise pre-emptively yourself with support and a shapely hand, even with slender values, as you would over a Weak Two. 

 

 

QUIZ

 

9.    What do you bid first in hand, all green?

a.              ªJxxxxxx  ©Qx              ¨AJx  §x

b.             ªxx            ©xx               ¨xx     §AQJxxxx

c.              ªx              ©AQxxxxx   ¨Axx  §xx

  

10. First in hand at favourable?

a.              ª-                ©xx  ¨Kxx         §KQJxxxxx

b.             ªKQJxxxx  ©x    ¨Qxxx        §x

c.              ªx               ©xx  ¨KJTxxxx  §xxx

  

11. Third in hand, both vulnerable?

a.              ªKQJxxxx  ©Axx           ¨xx   §x

b.       ªxx             ©AQxxxxx  ¨Jxx  §x

c.        ªAxx         ©xxx            ¨x      §AQJxxx

  

12. Partner opens 3¨, nil vul.  Your bid?       

a.              ªAQxxxx  ©xxxx    ¨Ax        §x

b.       ªKxx         ©AKxx  ¨Kxx      §QJx

c.       ªx              ©Axx     ¨Qxxx    §AJxxx

  

13. Partner opens 3©, nil vul.  Your bid?

a.              ªAKxx  ©x         ¨AQx  §Axxxx

b.             ªAJxx    ©x         ¨KJx   §Axxxx

c.              ªKx        ©Qxxx  ¨xx     §Kxxxx