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Detail specifications 115F - Level 2 ★

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 two 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 !

S	W	N	E

Problem E1312 : 9HCP is the maximum for a pre-empt opening, therefore 11HCP is too many!

S	W	N	E

Problem E1311: This pre-empt opening is precise:
7 strong diamonds,
6-9HCP (here, it's 8HCP).

Pre-empt openings at level 4 in a suit need:

A strong 8-card suit
Between 6 and 9HCP
And no defensive trick

S	W	N	E

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?

S	W	N	E

Problem E2476: If you have a strong 8-card heart suit, even with nothing else alongside, 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.

To open 3NT you need:

about 10HCP,
an established minor suit of 7 cards (and not 8!)
and ...nothing else alongside , meaning no ace or king!

Careful!
Don't open 3NT with an ace or a void in addition to the established minor.
Example

S	W	N	E

Problem E5164: Don't open 3NT with an established 8-card suit.

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Detail specifications 115F - Level 2 ★

Pre-empt: weak three and weak four bids

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