Thursday, May 11, 2006 1:27 AM

Hand Evaluation - Pre-empts ( Defense )

PITBULLS:

In my opinion, pre-empts only make your life miserable if you allow it. Suicide pre-empts by the opponents are just that . They give you an option to extract a huge set or assist you to play the hand when you get to your correct spot. You should have a number of understandings over pre-empts whether they are at the two , three & four level. These are our default defensive understandings with my partners when they pre-empt.

1) You do not pre-empt over a pre-empt . These jumps are good hands showing strong one suiters.

2) You never & I mean never make a T/O double with a single suited hand over a pre-empt. You either overcall or jump in your suit or if you have a demand two bid with a single suit , Q bid. This means that a T/O double will always show two or three suits or a balanced hand. You can take this to the bank.

3) Never double a pre-empt with a distributional demand two. Make a Goren Q bid instead. This clarifies a double followed by a 4NT bid as for the minors & not KCB. A balanced demand two , you can double , of course.

4) Equal level conversion applies against pre-empts. You may be forced to double without the perfect hand . 3♣-X-P-4♥ P-4♠ This means an equal level conversion with spades & diamonds. I was forced to get in there without hearts. It does not mean a hand too strong to overcall 3♠ . No , No & No.

5) A 3NT overcall of a pre-empt is to play. Pull only if you have slam on your mind & not to improve the contract.

6) Modify your negative doubles at the 3 level to play “Thrump doubles” . This prevents the opponents from pushing you out of

your 3NT contract

7) When partner overcalls a pre-empt at the 4 level in a minor , 4NT is to play & a Q bid of their suit is KCB.

8) Do not play Michaels over any pre-empt. After a pre-empt at the 3 level , a Q bid shows a strong hand most likely a strong two suiter. Do not double with a distributional demand two.

9) Jump overcalls over a weak two at the 4 level , show that minor & the unbid major.

10) A Q bid over a weak two in the direct or balancing asks partner to bid 3NT.

11) A balancing 3NT bid after a 3 level pre-empt is most likely a 1NT opener . A Double should be protecting partners trap.

12) A double of a 4♠ bid is T/O .

13) A 4NT overcall of a 4 level major pre-empt is any two suiter.

14) Lebensohl applies after a double of any major pre-empt at the 4 level.

15) The 7 HCP rule is in effect with pre-empts. You make your bids on the assumption that partner has 7 HCP’s.

16) An “out of the blue” double of a pre-emptive auction along the way is penalty.

17) If 3NT can be to play over a pre-emptive auction, it is .

18) An overcall of a pre-empt shows a single suited hand unless you are too weak & distributional to double.

19) Play & respect the vulnerability. Give partner leeway nv vrs vul.

20) If they are vul & you are not , a balancing double only shows “cards” & not the unbid major. All other vulnerabilities , we have the unbid major or a two suiter. This understanding helps the terrorists visit Allah.

21) Sandwich position pre-empts at the 3 level after partner has responded a suit to your minor . A double is a “Thrump” double if you are vul & penalty otherwise. Bid 3NT with a stopper in their suit partner (Thrump) .

22) Sandwich position pre-empts ( or overcalls) after partner has responded a forcing 1NT . A double is T/O by the opener & showing a good hand. Penalty if they are vul or equal.

23) A minor with a 1NT response followed by a pre-empt in the sandwich position. A double is penalty.

24) If they pre-empt at the 2 level in the sandwich position , good bad 2NT is in effect with 3 vulnerabilities. A double replaces the natural 2NT bid.

25) Setup sacrifices with pre-empts by showing where you live.

26) Forcing passes apply with pre-empts if partner Q bids or bids a game vulnerable.

27) A double of any NT bid in a pre-emptive auction is penalty never T/O.

28) If the opponents double our 3NT bid in a pre-emptive auction, XX expresses doubt whether the contract can make.

29) When we are vul & they are not , our 2NT bid over their two level pre-empt ( weak 2 , WJS or weak jump overcall) is always natural no matter how we bid it.