Thursday, May 11, 2006 1:27 AM

Hand Evaluation - Pre-empts ( Defense )

PITBULLS:

In my opinion, pre-empts only make your life miserable if you allow it. Suicide pre-empts by the opponents are just that . They give you an option to extract a huge set or assist you to play the hand when you get to your correct spot. You should have a number of understandings over pre-empts whether they are at the two , three & four level. These are our default defensive understandings with my partners when they pre-empt.

1) You do not pre-empt over a pre-empt . These jumps are good hands showing strong one suiters.

2) You never & I mean never make a T/O double with a single suited hand over a pre-empt. You either overcall or jump in your suit or if you have a demand two bid with a single suit , Q bid. This means that a T/O double will always show two or three suits or a balanced hand. You can take this to the bank.

3) Never double a pre-empt with a distributional demand two. Make a Goren Q bid instead. This clarifies a double followed by a 4NT bid as for the minors & not KCB. A balanced demand two , you can double , of course.

4) Equal level conversion applies against pre-empts. You may be forced to double without the perfect hand . 3♣-X-P-4♥ P-4♠ This means an equal level conversion with spades & diamonds. I was forced to get in there without hearts. It does not mean a hand too strong to overcall 3♠ . No , No & No.

5) A 3NT overcall of a pre-empt is to play. Pull only if you have slam on your mind & not to improve the contract.</