Balancing when the opponents preempt at the 3-level? by Linda J Green

When the opponents preempt at the 3-level it is much more difficult to enter the auction, especially in the direct seat when the left hand opponent is undisclosed . Therefore, let us look at the 4th seat - balancing before the bidding dies out when you will have the last decision .We have to be more aggressive, look at vulnerability, high card points and most important is distribution .We do not require an opening hand. One can double with as little as 10HCP and support for the unbid suits. Should you hold 3 cards in their suit one would require at least 15 -16 HCP.

Question 1

Your Hand
♠ Q 6 5
♥ Q 9 8
♦ K 5
♣ K Q 8 7 6

Q: 1 - What do you do in the 4th position- the balancing seat after the opponent preempts at the 3-level?

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	3♥
Pass	Pass	?

A: Pass. As you have the wrong distribution and no good option .Too many hearts and the shape is poor.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 2

Your Hand
♠ A J 6 4
♥ 3 2
♦ K 5 3
♣ Q J 6 4

Q: 2 - What do you bid in the balancing position after a 3-level preempt?

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	3♥
Pass	Pass	?

A: Double. You have the correct distribution with shortage in the opener's suit and tolerance for the unbid suits. This gives partner the opportunity to pass for penalties with a suitable hand or bid 3 No Trump.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 3

Your Hand
♠ A Q 10 7 6 2
♥ 9 8
♦ 2
♣ A 9 8 7

Q: 3 - What do you bid in the balancing seat after a 3-level preempt?

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	3♥
Pass	Pass	?

A: 3♠. One does not require an opening hand in the balancing seat especially when you can bid at the same level. As long as you have a good 6-card suit and shortage in the preempted suit.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 4

Your Hand
♠ Q 3
♥ 4
♦ K J 10 8 7 6 5
♣ A Q 5

Q: 4 - What do you bid in the balancing position after a preemptive bid?

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	3♥
Pass	Pass	?

A: 4♦. As you are very unbalanced and have no tolerance for the unbid major one must strain to bid even at the 4-level with a very long minor. The hand is not good enough to try and even think of No Trumps.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 5

Your Hand
♠ A Q
♥ Q 7 6
♦ A Q J 5
♣ J 10 9 8

Q: 5 - What do you bid after a 3- level preempt in the balancing seat?

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	3♠
Pass	Pass	?

A: 3 No-Trump. In the 4th balancing seat, an overcall at the 3- level of 3 No Trump shows a double stopper in the opening suit 16-22 HCP.
Preempts are there to try and destroy us, and partner will never know whether it is 16 or 22 !
We expect our partner in the direct seat to have 7 or 8 HCP and hope for the best!

Your result so far:

Open Question

Overall Results

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