Thursday, January 05, 2006 3:26 PM

Hand Evaluation - Pre-empts ( Rule of 7 HCP )

PITBULLS:

Bridge involves an element of intelligent risk taking or gambling. This is due to the element of probably in random events such as dealing cards. Pre-empts by the “nature of the beast” introduce an element of risk. Risk for the pre-empter but also a risk for the opponents who must bid over the pre-empts. You must have a very good hand to bid over pre-empts but you are allowed some leeway. You cannot base your bid on the assumption partner has nothing with the opponents holding all the remaining outstanding cards. This attitude would “paralyze” you & just hand victory to the pre-empter on a silver platter. When you bid over a pre-empt , the partnership must assume the bid is partially a “pre-balance” .