Thursday, May 11, 2006 1:27 AM

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 and 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 my default defensive understandings .

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. You can take this to the bank.

3) 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.

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

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

6) 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

7) Do not play Michaels over a pre-empt. After a pre-empt at the 3 level , a Q bid shows a strong hand most likely a strong two suiter.

8) Jump overcalls over a weak two, show that minor & the unbid major

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

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

11) A double of a 4♠ bid is T/O .

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

19) 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.

20) 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. Bid 3NT with a stopper in their suit partner. If they are vul & you are not , you can optional play this as penalty.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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