"Is That MY Car Alarm?" Overcalling Preempts by Marti Ronemus

We LOVE preempts---when it's US doing them! As opponents, we HATE them, because they do their job. They eat acres of bidding space, cause communication problems, and generally gum up the works.

Today (and later this month) we'll look at when and how to fight back. The central concept is that the preemptor is WEAK and is trying to steal from us. That does NOT make us happy. Ready to retaliate?

Question 1

Your Hand
♠ 3 2
♥ 9 8
♦ A K J 6 5 2
♣ K Q 8

Q: 1 - As an angry South, what do you say?

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	2♥
?

A: 3♦: This one is fairly easy. We've got a great suit of our own and a nice hand. While it's only 13 HCP (high card points), we've got great TEXTURE, with our honors clumped in our long(ish) suits... nothing wasted. Also we haven't heard from Pard, and who knows? Since we're below 3 No-trump, maybe something good will happen? TBA.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 2

Your Hand
♠ 7 4
♥ K J 9 2
♦ K Q 7 5
♣ A J 5

Q: 2 - We're still South, and we're still mad:

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	2♠
?

A: Double: As members of the Clint Eastwood School of Bidding, we cannot consider Pass. We can't bid the Hearts, as that would promise five. We can't bid no-trump, as that would promise Spade stoppers. The Take-Out Double is perfect. It promises shortness in Their suit, four of the other major, and both tolerance for the other suits and an opening hand. It's up to Pard. He may pick a suit, he may, under certain conditions, even pass.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 3

Your Hand
♠ K 2
♥ K J 9
♦ Q 7 4
♣ A Q J 9 2

Q: 3 - Grrr! Go get 'em, tiger! South:

South	West	North	East
-	-		2♥
?

A: 2 No-trump: A bid of 2 No-trump over a two-level preempt says, "I would have opened 1 No-trump but the Rascals forced me up." It also guarantees stopper(s) in Their suit. Have a brief chat with Pard about whether Stayman and Transfers are still on. Most players like to keep them on in this auction. (By the way, need we add how cowardly we think 3♣ would be? Honestly.)

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 4

Your Hand
♠ A K J 10 8 2
♥ 3 2
♦ A K 2
♣ 3 2

Q: 4 - This hand brings what may be a new concept. As South?

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	2♥

A: 3♠: You've got a good hand to show, so you cannot only say 2 Spades. You need to jump, to show a strong hand with a 6-card good suit. Remember that you can never make a preempt over a preempt.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 5

Your Hand
♠ K Q 9 7 4 3 2
♥ 3 2
♦ J 6 4
♣ 2

Q: 5 - One last chance to prevent being robbed. South?

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	2♥
?

A: Pass: Think back to our last question. We cannot jump, as that would show a nicer hand than we have. The hand is too lousy for a simple overcall. We must (sigh) bite the bullet and Pass. Hopefully, Pard will see the attempted robbery and take some action so you can show your Spades.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Play this Hand

Now that you've bid five hands, let's see how your play goes.

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Overall Results

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What next? You may enjoy playing our prepared hands series.
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