By Peter Rhead
Bidding after partner preempts at the three-level
When a player preempts, particularly at the three-level, he is doing three things. He is interfering with the opponents’ bidding. He is telling partner he has a weak hand. He is telling partner he has a long suit of seven or more cards.
Depending on the strength of partner’s hand, the partnership may end up playing for a part score at the preemptive three-level. Or the partnership might end up at the game level or even the slam level.
Guideline One: The opening Preemptive Three-Bid is weak and not forcing.
Guideline Two: A three-level response to a Preemptive Three-Bid is natural and forcing to game. Each partner must continue bidding until game is reached.
Guideline Three: The Preemptive Three-Bid makes the opponents guess. But if you have a good hand, you have some guessing to do also.
For more information, check out preempts “Responding to Three Bids” in Barbara Seagram’s 25 More conventions You Should Know, page 31
Next week: Examples of how you and your partner might use preemptive threes.
Looking for more bridge tips? You’ll find them here.
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