Opening Three-bids by David Bird

A: 3♠. Do not be one of those players who say "I like to hold a better suit for a three-opening." The purpose of pre-emptive openings is not so much to describe your hand for partner's benefit, in case he has a good hand. It is to be obstructive; to make life difficult for the opponents.

If you were vulnerable, there would be a case for opening 2♠, to reduce the risk of a big penalty. Even so, there are many good players who would be happy to open 3♠.

Your result so far:

A: 3♣. You pre-empt, of course! You have six fairly certain tricks in your hand, and some chance of adding a trick or two in hearts. What you must not do is pass and later explain to your partner that you "Don't like to pre-empt with a 4-card major on the side."

Suppose for a moment that your partner does hold four or more hearts, which is not particularly likely. The opponents will then have a great contract available in spades.

If you were non-vulnerable, with this hand, many players would venture a 4♣ opening. That's a measure of how suitable the hand is for pre-emption. The test is: 'Will I make considerably more tricks if I play the hand, rather than defend?" Here, you are likely to make SIX tricks more.

Your result so far:

A: 3♥. You can sense that West has a big hand, sitting over you. Your hand is perfect for pre-emption.

Many would open just 2♥, but this is rather feeble in the circumstances. Some brave souls would even open 4♥. That's a bit much, perhaps, but it shows better appreciation of the position than an opening of just 2♥.

Since nearly everyone plays take-out doubles over three-bids, it is very unlikely that you can be caught in 3♥ doubled - on this hand or on some weaker hands. West would have to pass and, after a pass by your partner, East would have to come alive with a (take-out) double as a passed hand. So, there is no need to be timid with your pre-empts in the third seat.

Your result so far:

A: Pass. In second seat, you should be more cautious with borderline pre-emptive hands. Your RHO has already passed, so it is even money whether LHO or your partner will hold a good hand.

Perhaps you are worried that East/West may have a good contract in spades available. It's possible, but you have some defense (with two good cards) and they may encounter a bad trump split. It is best to pass now and see what happens.

Your result so far:

A: 4♠. Your hand is suitable for pre-emption. You will make a good number of tricks with spades as trumps and potentially very few if you defend a minor-suit contract.

If you open only 3♠, partner will often pass when you have an excellent spade game available. So, open 4♠. It makes absolutely no difference that you hold four cards in the other major. Do not be one of those players who always looks for excuses not to pre-empt.

Your result so far:

A: 1♥. With only 2 of your 10 points in hearts, your hand is not suitable for a preempt (either 2♥ or 3♥).

You should open 1♥. If partner ends up doubling the opponents in some contract, he will not be disappointed with your defense. You hold an ace and a king.

Your result so far: