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Detail specifications 115F - Level 1

Pre-empt: weak three and weak four bids

Pre-empt openings are very difficult for the opponents because they have to overcall at a high level.
To open 3 clubs, diamonds, hearts or spades you need:
  • 6 to 9HCP
  • and 7 cards in that suit including 2 high honors (ace, king or queen)
Be Careful ! Don't open 3 in a suit if you have 2 aces; 1 ace and a void or if you have 4 in a major. These rules only apply in 1st or 2nd seat. In 3rd or 4th seat you can do all of the above !
SWNE
1 Carreau
10 Spades
4 Spades
Ace Hearts
Queen Hearts
10 Hearts
2 Clubs
King Diamonds
Queen Diamonds
10 Diamonds
9 Diamonds
8 Diamonds
7 Diamonds
4 Diamonds
Problem E1312 : 9HCP is the maximum for a pre-empt opening, therefore 11HCP is too many!
 
SWNE
3 Carreau
7 Spades
9 Hearts
4 Hearts
10 Clubs
6 Clubs
4 Clubs
Ace Diamonds
King Diamonds
Jack Diamonds
9 Diamonds
8 Diamonds
7 Diamonds
6 Diamonds
Problem E1311: This pre-empt opening is perfect :
- 7 good
- 6 à 9HCP (no more : here, it's 8HCP)
 
 
Be Careful!
Don't open 3 in a suit with :

  • 2 aces
  • 1 ace and a chicane
  • or with 4 in a major

These rules (not 2 aces, no ace and a chicane or a 4 card major) in 1st and 2nd seat. In 3rd and 4th seat you can do any of the above !
Ace Spades
King Spades
10 Spades
7 Spades
3 Spades
Ace Hearts
3 Hearts
5 Clubs
3 Clubs
2 Clubs
King Diamonds
8 Diamonds
2 Diamonds
SWNE
Pass
Queen Spades
Jack Spades
9 Spades
8 Spades
2 Hearts
Ace Clubs
Jack Clubs
10 Clubs
9 Clubs
8 Clubs
6 Clubs
4 Clubs
4 Diamonds
Problem E1313 Pass No pre-empt here because of the 4 .
 
SWNE
1 Pique
Ace Spades
Jack Spades
10 Spades
9 Spades
5 Spades
4 Spades
3 Spades
Ace Hearts
10 Hearts
8 Hearts
3 Hearts
5 Diamonds
4 Diamonds
Problem E2463 1 With 2 aces and 11 cards in the major suits - a pre-empt is out of the question.
 
 
Pre-empt openings at level 4 in a suit need:
  • A strong 8-card suit
  • Between 6 and 9HCP
  • And no defensive trick

SWNE
4 Pique
Ace Spades
Queen Spades
10 Spades
9 Spades
6 Spades
5 Spades
4 Spades
3 Spades
4 Hearts
4 Clubs
Jack Diamonds
10 Diamonds
3 Diamonds
Problem E2475: It's the number of spades that determines the level of your pre-empt bid
-with 6 cards = 2 spades
- with 7 cards = 3 spades
- with 8 cards = 4 spades. Easy, isn't it?
 
SWNE
4 Coeur
King Hearts
Queen Hearts
10 Hearts
9 Hearts
8 Hearts
5 Hearts
4 Hearts
3 Hearts
5 Clubs
4 Clubs
3 Clubs
6 Diamonds
3 Diamonds
Problem E2476: If you have a strong 8-card heart suit, even with nothing else beside, don't hesitate even a second to open 4 hearts. It's then up to the opponents to plunge in at 4 spades and take all the risks.