Pre-emptive Bidding

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There's only one intention behind a pre-empt - that's to rob your opponents of their precious bidding space.
Of course  you are taking a risk in pre-empting and you can come unstuck - but surprisingly infrequently as long as partner keeps quiet!
Of course partner is allowed to raise your pre-empt with suitable values as long as the LTC count also REDUCES by the SAME amount!
However if your partner believes the opponents have a slam a different mathematics is invelved than if just preventing the opponents from games up to the 5-level

In the modern game pre-empting is now played with maximum of aggression and its taken to the limit - also always pre-empt at the highest level at one's first bid - never pre-empt at say the 3-level and then up it to the 4-level when opponents dare to speak - you have now lost the extra effectiveness of  an immediate 4-level pre-empt and probably wiser to keep silent now - as opponents have now had a whole level of bidding to make use of that you could have scuppered!

BETA initiates opening bid pre-empts at the 3-level in Majors and at the 4-level in minors.

[Note: BETA has reassigned 3-level minor openings to show 5-5 or better in both RED (3C) or both Majors (3D) after deciding that this revised usage is more valuable than somewhat ineffectual 3mi openings]

Its basically all a matter of Mathematics. On your side of the coin you have a long suit of 7+ cards and you lack the criteria to make any other BETA opening bid.

One side of the coin is what opponents can score when succeding at game and slam level - ignoring o'tricks -:
LEVEL
 MINORS-NON VULNERABLE
 MINORS VULNERABLE
 MAJORS NON-VULNERABLE
 MAJORS VULNERABLE
 NO TRUMPS NON VUL
 NO TRUMPS VUL
4
130
 130
 420
 620
 430
 630
5
 400
 600
 450
 650
 460
 660
6
 1440
 1360
 980
 1430
 990
 1440
7
 1440
 2140
 1770
 2210
 1520
 2220

But what could you lose if doubled?
DOWN & DOUBLED
 NOT VULNERABLE
 VULNERABLE
1
 100
 200
2
 300
 500
3
 500
 800
4
 700
 1100
5
 900
 1400
6
 1100
 1700
7
 1300
 2000
8
 1500
 2300
9
 1700
 2600
10
 1900
 2900
11
 2100
 3200

Observe against opponents game level contracts:...
 1 Down doubled is always profitable against any makeable game at any vulnerability BUT loses against any part score!
 2 Down doubled when non-vulnerable is also profitable against any makeable game at any vulnerability
       but if vulnerable only profitable against a vulnerable game
 3 Down doubled non-vul beats any vulnerable game but loses against all non-vulnerable games that make
 4|5 Down lose against all game contracts that succeed

Against small NV slams that are made here are the maximum number of tricks short that would be profitable:
DEFENCE
 SMALL SLAMS NON-VUL
 GRAND SLAMS NON-VUL
 SMALL SLAM VULNERABLE
 GRAND SLAM VULNERABLE
NON_VULNERABLE
 5
 8
 7
 11
VULNERABLE
 3
 5
 5
 7

A brief guide to pre-empting

        Its basically all about holding a long suit.
        A second suit is also useful - mainly as there will be just 2 other cards in the remaining 2 suits.
       
        It is necessary to make the following analysis:

        First take note of:-
            
  1. What position am I opening in 1st 2nd 3rd or 4th?
  2. What are the vulnerabilities round the table?
  3. How many tricks can one reasonably expect to make?
  4. What do you believe the opponents could possibly be aiming at  - a game or a slam?

        (i)  Find your LTC.
        (ii) Estimate the opponents likely target: is it game  or slam?
        (iii) Make your pre-empt not assuming any help from your partner - and make it at the highest reasonable level - don't put in a bid and then augment it at a later turn!
       

The best moment to make a pre-empt is before opponentsa have spoken
Failing this consider weak jump overcalls - minimum useful in a Major is at the 3-level and at the 4-level in a minor suit - in BETA these are the lowest possible pre-empts available.
Your position when opening the bidding  is most important:

1st position you have the advantage of stealing bidding space from your LHO and thereby hopefully making things difficult for your opponents to reach their optimum contract - make the best use of it : steal the maximum bidding room you can!
Bear in mind too that your partner is also being pre-empted too! Although he will get a fair view of your hand he too may now lack the bidding space to progress safely.

2nd position is the most demanding position for pre-empting! One best understands this as your LHO opponent already knows of his partners limitations and is more prone to exert penalties when suitable - (corollary we should evolve to make penalty doubles rather than take-out doubles over 2nd hand pre-empts.) Over weak 2 pre-empts we have Rubinsohl for positive action - also available for Majors only over a 3C opening pre-empt by your RHO.
So in 2nd position 'weak' cannot be as weak as in other positions and need better quality suits (not broken) and classical length.
All normal opening bids should be made with normal values.

In 3rd position it is possible that your LHO has values. Also partner has not opened so you will not be preventing him so much from developing his limited values - so an ideal position given an appropriate hand - neither the old rule of 2 or 3 or suit length of holding level-2 cards is necessary. Quality of the suit is also not paramount! So sub-standard openings may be made -  partner be aware! It is worthwhile to note that your LHO will be making a bid. If your sure of it steal bidding space, if you feel strength is spread fairly evenly around the table open normally.

In 4th position pre-empts make no sense - you are not pre-empting anyone! With 5 spades, and near-opening values a 1-level  can be considered.. Also sound distributional game bids can be made. However stronger hands <= 5LTC should always be opened normally e.g. 2C, 2D (19-20 or 5-5), 2Ma, 2N and a small leniency of 1/2 trick is acceptable in this position.  

Vulnerabilities will always be a consideration - especially whenever vulnerable. These days far more aggressive behaviour is becoming common - even when vulnerable.

Your potential number of tricks and therefore your hand's potential comes from three sources
  1. Your trump suit - possibly from 2 suits
  2. Outside controls - Aces & Kings & Shortages
  3. Your LTC needs to be evaluated before bidding
  4. Note: in Beta 5-5+ hands are treated specially both in opening and in overcalling.
  5. Too many outside Aces and Kings are a negative consideration against pre-empting as your hand has good defensive values
    In fact ideally you should not usually hold more than one outside quick tricks when pre-empting.
    So its all down to your trumps and basically its down to their length & quality
    Vulnerabilities are also a major consideration:
  6. Your worst scenario when pre-empting is adverse vulnerability in any position
    You're vulnerable and the opponents are not - it will be poor to pre-empt riskily in this situation
Notes:

3-level minor pre-empts are particularly prone to these risks. True, they can take out a good full round or two of bidding space which has a chance to disrupt opponents bidding. However modern defensive methods: e.g. T-O doubles, Rubinsohl (Lebensohl) & Specialised overcalls such as : 2-suited bids  and Rubinsohl can still find their proper target. Not to forget options available in the protective position too.

If the  opponents win the auction they are armed with key distributional information and likely location of honours too. All of which can guide their planning of the play. There is a notoriously difficult lead situation for the opposition where aggressive leads are generally very rare - typically simply leading their preemptive suit.

3-level Pre-empts in Spades have most effect as the opponents are forced to the NEXT level if they wish to compete. A 3 Heart pre-empt is noticeably less effective as either opponent will be quick to introduce his spade suit..

That's basically it, pre-empting has risks.  However there is an element in your favour and that is that most people are playing a double as a Take-out rather than a penalty Double. Saying this it is interesting to note that well advanced players/systems are increasingly turning towards penalty doubles - including BETA. Lesser players fear  the disasterous consequences if double fails!  (This is unnecessary and such occasional reverses of fortune  just need to be taken on the nose!)

Look  how often we see  both sides pushing to game on case the other side mbids and makes it and both going down. There are valuable IMPS to be had by judging the game not to be there and proven right, making your part score e.g.140 and an extra 50 too 190 in total or 240 if both vulnerable. Think about it - I say believe in your judgement - on balance you will win!

The purpose of pre-empting is not now aimed just against opponents potential game contracts or deterring slams - more a dirsruption of their normal bidding - presenting opponents with difficult decisions due to reduced bidding room.

Last note: in Pairs (the above is more the teams position) it has become the norm to be prepared to take additional risks - maybe the penalty double will come back in fashion to curb this! I actually tried this for a while but had little success with it, so it remains a Take-out double over weak 3's, are now more optional, for me - pressure is increased on partners judgement now. I still contemplate using penalty doubles of  3+ level pre-empts given the trend to ever weaker pre-emptiveness!

That's one side of the story - what about being pre-empted?

Well you have risks too! Like the pre-empter your LHO & your partner are still unknown quantities! For this reason competing directly is basically to the limit of your own hand, especially when you have a longish suit and good values and shortness in the opponents pre-empt is likely and useful as would be a top honour! Otherwise we have the ubiquitous T-O Double at our disposal.
I am aware that many who use Rubinsohl are playing the double as optional (similar situation exists with Lebensohl). I'm not convinced about this although some mighty good players seemingly are - but nothing stops partner with a suitable holding to convert your double into a penalty - perhaps that's all they really mean by optional anyway.  In the distant past I used to describe my T-O doubles as 'optional' but this practice is not generally accepted these days, I have to state that partner may transmute it to a penalty double!
If defending a against a weak major two (or 2 Diamonds for that matter) we have Rubinsohl to help with defence with near opening values and a good suit with transfers showing in principle a 6 card suit and also a transfer to the opponents suit to show a 4-5 card major, a 2-level competitive overcall in a major with 4-5 card is also possible.

Note:  a T-O double is  likely to disclose any unbid 4 card major. Immediate overcalls of 2S with near opening values over a weak 2  Hearts opening are advocated with a 5 card suit. with at least near opening values and a 6 card suit one should use a Rubinsohl transfer (which has the adantage of immediate disclosure of your suit (a serious plus point over a Lebensohl 2NT overcall where if opponents continue in their bidding you may never get to disclose your suit!)

Also since the T-O Double expresses certain values (opening at least and an unlimited threat  too!) and a balanced hand except for a welcome but not certain shortage in the opponents suit, it puts your partner  in a good position to compete or not.
It has to be remembered that a T-O double is strictly forcing in BETA with our lower minor neagative response.
Partner must now make a bid if his LHO passes.

The opponents have taken the risk to pre-empt you and steal the hand, therefore you too have to take chances to overcome it! So help your partner be prepared to counteract with a T-O double! On rare occasions you may have a great hand and a good suit - in that case bid it to the hilt! You may not get another chance - either directly (4-level and beyond) or with Rubinsohl transfers. You also have Beta's wide range of 2-suited overcalls where BOTH the suits involved are directly known  and also the strength in terms of a LTC is known in two ranges:
(i)  Strong 2-suited hands with a maximum of 5 LTC.
(ii) Weak 2-suited hands with a LTC range 5 1/2 to 7 1/2 LTC - the higher limit depending on the vulnerabilities at the table.

The opponents have removed their suit from your calculations and you will have discounted any small honours held in the opponents suit and added value for any shortage when competing in your suit!

Now lets consider the protective position. If your partner has made a bid then respond with a limit raise - don't hold back, with limited bidding space and bidding options partner has bid without knowing your values (except if you were a passed hand). If partner has doubled a pre-emptive bid consider to bid any 5+ card suit and expecting at least a minimum support from partner & at  least near opening values.
When partner has passed its more difficult  but be prepared to  show any  good  long suit if you have no clear defence if your  RHO has not bid  -  in this case you may expect at least moderate values with your partner.

Now the difficult issue of taking penalties! At teams your opponents may well have pushed  one too high - should you double. Well the mathematics are against you and your opponents know this and with distributional hands there is a far from ignorable probability that it can make at the 5-7 levels!
Consider the bidding: 3H P(partner) P ?
If you double and they go down you will score: 100 or 200 instead of 50 & 100 if you pass. But if they make it you score:  -490 0r -690 instead of  -140. The odds are against you risking a gain of 50 versus a loss of 350 or 100 versus a loss of 550!
Conclusion in teams the risk is unacceptable (unless you are reasonably certain to defeat the opponents). At pairs its an entirely a different matter and a double  for penalties  is altogether more common  when you are sure you cannot  compete
any higher. Note this practice is becoming increasingly commonplace.

In competitive situations like 1H - 1S(opp) - 3H¦2NT(partner) - 3S(opp) - P - P  - ?
the same issue arises. See Competitive bidding - Theory of total tricks is a really useful help. This may aid you in deciding whether to compete further,  PASS or go for a penalty double.

A 3NT pre-empt is a very different animal - often termed a Gambling 3NT.
It announces a SOLID  8 card minor and denies any outside Ace or King.  Partner  can accept it or bid 4 Clubs - PASS or correct bid.
 
3-level pre-empts are far more destructive than weak two's.
We commented on 3 of a minor pre-empt above and indeed in Beta we do not make such bids putting them to better use as opening bids see our 3-suited and in 2 suited overcalls see our weak overcalls & our strong ones.
Once bidding begins at the 3-level Majors sure do take precedence!
Over a 3-level pre-empt by first making a T-O double then 'correcting' partner's response. Over 3C first bid 3S (transfer to 3N) then bid 4D. Occasionally use 3NT overcall if one has a guard and the highest unbid major too - then rebid your minor
(Note: There is often more risk than gain in lanquishing in a 4 of a minor contract! Therefore it should be invitational.)
4-level overcalls are all 2-suited.
Rubinsohl transfers are still played but only over 3C. (Just 3D/H/S)
Over 3D  natural bids of 3H & 3S are required:
3C-3D Transfer: Shows Hearts 5+: responder may bid 3H, 4H, 4NT(ERKCB) with fit , 3S  & 3NT Natural
3C-3H Transfer: Shows Spades 5+: responder may bid 3S, 4S, 4NT(ERKCB) with fit or 3NT Natural
3C- 3S Is a transfer to 3NT Which is to play or a continuation can be made to 4C or 4D to show a 6 card suit.
3X- 3NT Is special - see below
3D-3H¦S Are Natural - Non-forcing
3H-3S Is Natural
3X-* Is for T-O Asks for partner's suit 5+ at the same level. There is no negative! PASS is for penalties! At the 4 level 2 suits are shown. 3NT is natural.

Over 3-level overcalls we have a special overcall of 3NT which is closely akin to our usage to our 3NT response to 3-suited openings!  It shows a guard in the opponents suit and at least 4 cards in the highest unbid Major.
This bid is invaluable against 3C¦D¦H¦S opening pre-empts as there is not simply enough bidding space to decide between the highest unbid Major and a 3NT game without it.
Ex: Consider opponents open 3H and you hold a potentially game going hand with a Spade suit and  good stops in Hearts (or vice versa opponts open 3S etc) and a semi-balanced hand, you surely would like to explore the dual possibilities of a 3NT game and a 4 Spade(Heart) game.
We use 3NT to show such hands, over any 3-level pre-empt, allowing partner to PASS if he feels 3NT is the better place to be or to bid 4 of the highest unbid major if this looks to be the better option or rarely a break-out into his own long suit.
A third possibility available to responder is to bid 5 of the lowest unbid minor with a fair 6+  card suit only when all other options are less favourable. The reason being is that there is a fair probability that the 3NT bid also includes a small club holding of 3 or 4 cards! This is due to the semi-balanced structure of our 3NT conventional overcall.
This convention operates over 3C & 3D too in respect of Spades, and over 3S in respect to Hearts.
Over 3C¦D with HEARTS  other approaches need to be taken.
Over 3C we use red suit transfers: use a 3D as a transfer to Hearts & 3H can is a transfer to 3S! and you may PASS partners response! - So partner needs to seriously consider bidding 4H or 4S respectively.
In particular following: 3C-3D-3H-...3NT is again our 2-way bid (3S would show both majors!) and partner is given the obvious choices respectively.
 NOTE: there are NO transfers over a 3D pre-empt - 3H and 3S are natural competitive bids &  4-level bids show 2 suits
Over 3D there is no surefire way of giving partner a choice of 4H or 3NT.
So best is to overcall with a Double (or possibly 3H if suitable) and then:
(i) If partner bids 4H then PASS
(ii) If partner bids 3NT PASS
(iii) If partner bids 3S: bid PASS or bid 4S with 3 card support. Also bid 3NT with 2 cards spades, game values and 4 Hearts: and partner with 4 Hearts too should seriously contemplate bidding 4H if distributional. By way of explanation realise that this would not be partner's chosen bidding path  with both Spades and a good stop for NT.

Over 4-level pre-empts we are seriously out of bidding space. Our options are few & more risk needs to be taken!:

(i) Compete directly by bidding your long or nearly solid suit - At the 4 level this should be done in a major even with 6 LTC if non-vul and with a 5 LTC vulnerable. At the 5 level the LTC's must be 5 & 4 respectively.
(ii) Bid 4NT! This convention shows interest in the 2 lowest unbid suits and partner needs to choose (unless he has a better option!)
(iii) Double. This convention asks partner to choose between the 2  highest unbid suits
(iv) 5-level bids are all natural (not showing 2-suits!)