Chapter 12

03-22-2006 20:01:24

Chapter 12 Higher Preempts

It seems wrong that responses to 3-level preempts have been defined as forcing. I think this is a rubber bridge rule (or a 1930 's bad player rule) for players who lack the experience to pass a preempt when they should. Steve Robinson has experienced partners, and allows only one forcing bid over a 3-level preempt.

Robinson's Chapter 20 says:

Light preempts. A seven-card suit vulnerable, and possibly only six not vulnerable.
Only cheaper minor (and 4NT) are forcing over a 3-level preempt.

I think the important element of cheaper minor being the only game force is that now you can at least correct to the other two suits. If cheaper minor is 3 , then your rebid is a 3-card major. If it is 4 , then rebid your suit with a minimum, bid shortage, or use Blackwood!

In the weak two-bid discussion, I indicated that there is no gap between an opening one-bid and a weak two-bid. For higher preempts, I think the story is different (but see below). There are hands that are too weak to open, too strong for a three-bid, and not strong enough for a four-bid. The last gap results from becoming more conservative at the four-level.

The Namyats Idea
3NT A 4 or 4 preempt
4 and 4 Stronger 4 and 4 preempts, respectively.

**The Namyats Idea**
3NT	A 4 or 4 preempt
4 and 4	Stronger 4 and 4 preempts, respectively.

The virtue of 3NT to show a minor preempt is partner can "correct" to 3NT with the suitable hand. If 3NT is doubled, pass is to play 3NT. More normal is to bid a minor, and it is pass or correct to the right contract. Thus, bid:

4 to play 4 , or 4 or more diamonds.
4 to play 4 , or 5 or more clubs.
5 to play 5 , or 5 or more diamonds.
5 to play 5 , or 6 or more clubs, et cetera.

If you ever want to play your minor after a 3NT opening, you must bid and then rebid the suit.

Other responses are:

4 and 4 to play.
4NT is Blackwood.
Pass of 3NT doubled is to play 3NT.

The "stronger" four-major preempt is probably about eight and one-half tricks. A bid of the ranking suit is a cue-bid.

One Monday night exercise was "Defense vs. Preempts." Hands with a seven-card or longer suit and less than an opening bid were collected. Included were hands that I judge

too weak to preempt at the vulnerability,
Between a 3-bid and a 4-bid, and
An occasional hand I think are one-bids.

First seat was required to preempt no matter how badly it turned his stomach. My conclusion was that all of the preempts work. You don't go for a number beyond the value of what they have, and the best they can do is get back to average.

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