Bridge for Beginners

1. Bridge for Beginners Lesson 11 Pre-emptive Bidding

2. Homework – Question 1  AJ765  A8765  8  Q5  T7632  K4  87  QJT8  AQ7  Q986  Q853  Q6  A76  K6  76  QJT865 • Opponents open 1. What do you bid? 1 Pass P or 1NT 2  AJ754  QT  3  AJ653  AKJ8  K5  J6  QJT86  AK75  K5  KQ8  Q743  AK  AKJT65  Q5  JT6 1 2 1NT 2 

3. Homework – Question 2 • Opponents have opened 1. Partner has overcalled.What do you bid?  A  K Overcall 1 1 1 1NT Your Bid? P 3 1 3  9  7  2  J  T  5  3  7  6  3  4

4. Homework – Question 3 • Opponents have opened 1. Partner has overcalled.What do you bid? Overcall 2 2 2 1NT Your Bid? 4 2 2 3  Q  8  5  A  K  9  8  6  T  J  6  4  7

5. Pre-emptive Bidding • HCP are very important in NT contracts • In Suit Contracts length is as important • So we use rule of 20 • When the shape is more extreme • HCP are less important

6. Pre-emptive Bidding We have 8 HCP Rule of 20 = 18 We have 7 ’s And a poor defensive hand 1 would mislead partner We make a pre-emptive bid of 3 • Consider this hand  6  5  4  8  7  6  5  2  A  Q  8  Q  7

7. Opening Bids • Opening 1 of a suit is a normal opener • Usually 12-19 HCP • Opening 2 of a suit is strong • Usually 20+ HCP • More next week!! • Opening 3 or more of a suit • Is weak and pre-emptive

8. Requirements for a Pre-empt • At least 7 of the suit bid • About 6-9 HCP • With longer suit fewer HCP are needed • No other 4 card major

9. Objectives of a Pre-empt • To get in opponents way • They probably have a fit in another suit • They may well be stronger than your side • You can make it hard for them to find their best contract • You do not expect to make the contract • But 1 off vul or 2 off non-vul is likely to be good for your side

10. Assessing what to Bid • We should pre-empt as high as is safe • Subtract 2 from the long suit length • With 7 cards that gives 5 • Add 1 for each A and K • Add 2 vul or 3 non-vul • If the result is 9 bid at the 3 level • If 10 bid at the 4 level • If 11 bid a major at the 4 level and a minor at the 5 level

11. Pre-emptive Bidding – Hand 1 We have 8 HCP Rule of 20 = 18 We have 7 ’s So count 5 Add 1 for the Ace Add 2 or 3 according to vulnerability Vul = 8 – so PASS Non-vul = 9 Bid 3  6  5  4  8  7  6  A  Q  5  2  8  Q  7

12. Pre-emptive Bidding – Hand 2 We have 8 HCP Rule of 20 = 18 We have 8 ’s So count 6 Add 1 for the Ace Add 2 or 3 according to vulnerability Vul = 9 – so Bid 3 Non-vul = 10 Bid 4  6  5  8  7  6  A  Q  5  4  2  8  Q  7

13. Pre-emptive Bidding – Hand 3 We have 8 HCP Rule of 20 = 18 We have 7 ’s So count 5 Add 1 for the K Add 2 or 3 according to vulnerability Vul = 8 – so Pass Non-vul = 9 Bid 3  K  6  5  8  7  6  5  Q  4  2  8  Q  7

14. Pre-emptive Bidding – Hand 4 We have 8 HCP Rule of 20 = 19 We have 7 ’s And we have 4 ’s So open 1 We may find a better fit in ’s But if opponents start bidding jump to 3  K  8  6  5  8  7  6  5  K  4  2  Q  7

15. Pre-emptive Bidding – Hand 5 We have 4 HCP Rule of 20 = 14 We have 7 ’s Count is 5 Pass Too weak for a pre-empt Although very temping at favourable vulnerability  8  6  4  Q  9  8  7  6  4  2  8  Q  7

16. Responding to Partner’s Pre-empt • Remember that partner is weak • The bid is meant to get in opponents way • By taking up much of the bidding space • This often makes it difficult for us to find the right contract

17. Responses to Pre-emptive Bidding – Hand 1 Partner has opened 3 We have 14 HCP And honours in the other suits 3NT looks very inviting How will you run partner’s ’s With only 1 entry? Sadly you must Pass You need 2 of the pre-empt suit for a NT try  K  6  5  4  A  Q  8  7  8  5  K  2  Q

18. Responses to Pre-emptive Bidding – Hand 2 Partner has opened 3 We have 16 HCP And honours in the other suits 3NT looks very inviting Now we have 2 entries So bid 3NT hoping to run partners long minor  A  K  6  5  A  8  7  T  8  5  K  2  Q

19. Responses to Pre-emptive Bidding – Hand 3 Partner has opened 3 We have 13 HCP And 6 ’s 3NT looks doubtful Bid 3 The new suit at the 3 level shows 6 of the suit Partner supports the major with 2 cards Re-bids the minor with fewer  A  Q  J  8  7  3  K  3  K  6  4  T  9

20. Responses to Pre-emptive Bidding – Hand 4 Partner has opened 3 We have 9 HCP And 7 ’s Both weak hands PASS Never bid a pre-empt over partner’s pre-empt You would be at the 4 level But if opponents bid a major Support partner’s ’s  A  7  6  8  3  9  A  J  T  9  7  5  4

21. When Opponents Pre-empt • You bid them to mess up opponents • They will do the same to you! • In general • If you would have overcalled opponents when they opened 1 of a suit • You should bid over their pre-empt

22. Overcalling a Pre-emptive Bid Opponent has opened 3 We have 16 HCP Bid 3 If you Pass The pre-empt has been successful Opponents have probably stolen your contract! So bid if you can  A  Q  J  7  6  A  J  7  4  K  J  8  2

23. Pre-emptive Overcalls • If opponents open 1 of a suit • And you have a pre-emptive hand • Make a pre-emptive overcall • Using the same rules as for pre-emptive openings

24. Pre-emptive Overcall  4 RHO bids 1 You should overcall 3 You make it hard for them to find a fit And partner knows what your hand is like  Q  T  6  5  K  4  2  6  3  Q  5  4

25. Health Warning • Never Ever Pre-empt over partner’s opening bid • We are trying to mess up the opponents • Partners get very upset!

26. Summary • Pre-empts are powerful weapons • Pre-empts are sacrificial • Not expected to make • But to get in opponents way • Be careful not to punish partner for pre-empting by getting carried away with the bidding