"Born to Run" Respond to Preempts by Marti Ronemus

Our Pard opens the bidding with a whopping three-level pre-empt. Bruce Springsteen claims we are "Born to Run" and Pard sure got a head start on the race. Our RHO was knocked out of the running, and now it's up to us. What should we do? Here are some guidelines.
First, visualize Pard with 5-1/2 tricks for you if he names trump. (This is one of those statistics you just have to trust. It's based on the fact that Pard has a seven-card suit with some honors in it.) Next, count the tricks you have. Bridge is a game of tricks, not points. Finally, if you name a new suit it forces Pard to bid again.
So... how far are you willing to run?

Question 1

Your Hand
♠ K J 9 8 4
♥ 7
♦ A Q 6 4
♣ Q 10 7

Q: 1 - South?:

South	West	North	East
-	-	3♥	Pass
?

A: Pass: Although we were Born to Run, if we go any faster or farther, we will run into a wall. Remember this: You have no responsibility to save your Pard. We only have about 2, maybe 2-1/2 tricks to add to Pard's 5-1/2. While No-trump might be tempting, transportation is sure to be a problem. We can't bid Spades, because Pard would be forced to bid again.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 2

Your Hand
♠ 4
♥ A 7 4
♦ A K 9 8 7
♣ A Q 9 3

Q: 2 - South?:

South	West	North	East
-	-	3♠	Pass
?

A: 4♠: We've got about 4-1/2 tricks, which spells game. Don't even THINK of No-trump. Remember the Crummy Dummy... How will you get to Pard's tricks in No-trump?

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 3

Your Hand
♠ 3
♥ Q 10 8
♦ Q J 8 4 3
♣ 9 8 7 6

Q: 3 - South?:

South	West	North	East
-	-	3♥	Pass
?

A: 4♥: This hand is so lousy we HAVE to bid! We have a ten-card trump fit, so we are going to advance the pre-empt. Pard's got 5-9 pts and we have 5. They have at LEAST game. Don't leave them any bidding room. The fact that East passed means nothing except he doesn't have the shape to overcall or double. Bruce told us to run and we are heeding the advice. We've gone down before.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 4

Your Hand
♠ A K J 8 7 6
♥ 5
♦ K Q 8 4
♣ A 2

Q: 4 - South?:

South	West	North	East
-	-	3♥	Pass
?

A: 3♠: We're going to force Pard to run a little bit further. If he has support for our Spades, he'll take us to game. Otherwise we're willing to play in 4♥. We've got a really nice hand here and belong in game.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 5

Your Hand
♠
♥ A Q 4
♦ K 8 4
♣ A K Q 10 8 6 2

Q: 5 - South:

South	West	North	East
-	-	3♠	Pass
?

A: 3 No-trump: Pard certainly preempted at an inconvenient time, didn't he. We've got seven tricks in Clubs, one in Hearts and whatever the opening lead is will give us our ninth trick. Pard's goodies will be gravy. BTW, Pard must pass.

And now we're ready to try a hand.

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