1. Lesson 11 Pre-emptive Bidding
Bridge for Beginners
Lesson 11
Pre-emptive Bidding

2. Homework – Question 1 Opponents open 1. What do you bid? 1 Pass
 AJ765
 A8765
 8
 Q5
 T7632
 K4
 87
 QJT8
 AQ7
 Q986
 Q853
 Q6
 A76
 K6
 76
 QJT865 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 Overcall 1 1 1 1NT Your Bid? P 3 1
Opponents have opened 1. Partner has overcalled. What do you bid?  A  K
Overcall 1 1 1
1NT
Your Bid? P 3 1  J  T  9  7  2  7  5  3  6  4  3

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

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. And a poor defensive hand 1 would mislead partner
Pre-emptive Bidding
Consider this hand
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  6  5  4  A  Q  8  7  6  5  2  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  A  Q  8  7  6  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  A  Q  8  7  6  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  Q  8  7  6  5  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  K  8  7  6  5  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  K  Q  5  2

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  K  Q  5  2

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  K  J  7  4  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. You make it hard for them to find a fit
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  K  Q  T  6  5  4  2  Q  6  3  5  4

25. Never Ever Pre-empt over partner’s opening bid
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