Pre-emptive Opening Bids
In this system, All 3 level openings, Major 4 level openings and Minor 5 Level openings are pre-emptive. All show hands with fewer than 10 HCPs. The 3 level openings promise 7 card suits, the higher level pre-empts are more shapely but no stronger.
3 Level Pre-empts
Classically, a vulnerable 3-level pre-emptive opening promises 7 tricks while a non-vulnerable one needs only 6. This rule tends to be bent more than most but it is still prudent in first/second seat. In third seat, many players shade it. In fourth seat, generally only open preemptively if you expect to make, assuming partner has his fare share of the outstanding values, which is generally a fair assumption, otherwise one of your opponents would probably have opened. You might open at the three level with a hand that just qualifies for a one level opening to keep them out. Ideally, the pre-emptive opener does not have an outside four card major. Following this rule makes partner’s life easier when it comes to responding.
Responses
The pre-emptive opener will not bid again so responder assumes complete control. Opener is essentially advertising a hand that is useless in anything other than his bid suit so you generally go along with that and either pass or raise. The latter may be constructive or simply an exercise in upping the pre-empt, only responder knows which. A change of suit bid is rare and forcing. Remember that a “good” partner won’t have a 4 card major when contemplating this. To bid 3NT, you really need to see 9 tricks in your own hand or with fewer, have enough of partner’s suit to run it. Remember, by definition, partner has no outside entries. Over 3H or 3S, 4NT is RKCB. However, over 3C or 3D Redwood is used as the ace asking bid.
Interference
The advantage you have when they overcall is that they are often doing so based on very incomplete information. Don’t help them. For example, if they overcall 3H over partner’s 3D and you are looking at four nice hearts in a good hand, resist the temptation to double unless you are confident you can beat anything they try to escape into. Even then, it may pay to pass smoothy in tempo. Overcaller’s partner may raise to 4H and now you can pounce. In other circumstances, when contemplating defending their overcall, assume that partner’s hand will be of no help at all and if, on that basis, it seems very likely they will make, give careful consideration to sacrificing.
Higher Level Pre-empts
4 level major pre-empts are the same but promise 8 cards. Note however that opener has now unequivocally set his suit as the one the partnership will play in, therefore any change of suit response is a cue bid and 4NT is RKCB. In this system, 4 level minor openings are not natural pre-empts but are Namyats, so the only minor pre-empts available are at the 5 level. This means that 5C/5D openings are weak (9-) showing a long minor, as opposed to classic Acol where such openings may have outside values. This is not a major problem as strong minor openings are catered for within the Multi 2D opening.
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In this system, All 3 level openings, Major 4 level openings and Minor 5 Level openings are pre-emptive. All show hands with fewer than 10 HCPs. The 3 level openings promise 7 card suits, the higher level pre-empts are more shapely but no stronger.
3 Level Pre-empts
Classically, a vulnerable 3-level pre-emptive opening promises 7 tricks while a non-vulnerable one needs only 6. This rule tends to be bent more than most but it is still prudent in first/second seat. In third seat, many players shade it. In fourth seat, generally only open preemptively if you expect to make, assuming partner has his fare share of the outstanding values, which is generally a fair assumption, otherwise one of your opponents would probably have opened. You might open at the three level with a hand that just qualifies for a one level opening to keep them out. Ideally, the pre-emptive opener does not have an outside four card major. Following this rule makes partner’s life easier when it comes to responding.
Responses
The pre-emptive opener will not bid again so responder assumes complete control. Opener is essentially advertising a hand that is useless in anything other than his bid suit so you generally go along with that and either pass or raise. The latter may be constructive or simply an exercise in upping the pre-empt, only responder knows which. A change of suit bid is rare and forcing. Remember that a “good” partner won’t have a 4 card major when contemplating this. To bid 3NT, you really need to see 9 tricks in your own hand or with fewer, have enough of partner’s suit to run it. Remember, by definition, partner has no outside entries. Over 3H or 3S, 4NT is RKCB. However, over 3C or 3D Redwood is used as the ace asking bid.
Interference
The advantage you have when they overcall is that they are often doing so based on very incomplete information. Don’t help them. For example, if they overcall 3H over partner’s 3D and you are looking at four nice hearts in a good hand, resist the temptation to double unless you are confident you can beat anything they try to escape into. Even then, it may pay to pass smoothy in tempo. Overcaller’s partner may raise to 4H and now you can pounce. In other circumstances, when contemplating defending their overcall, assume that partner’s hand will be of no help at all and if, on that basis, it seems very likely they will make, give careful consideration to sacrificing.
Higher Level Pre-empts
4 level major pre-empts are the same but promise 8 cards. Note however that opener has now unequivocally set his suit as the one the partnership will play in, therefore any change of suit response is a cue bid and 4NT is RKCB. In this system, 4 level minor openings are not natural pre-empts but are Namyats, so the only minor pre-empts available are at the 5 level. This means that 5C/5D openings are weak (9-) showing a long minor, as opposed to classic Acol where such openings may have outside values. This is not a major problem as strong minor openings are catered for within the Multi 2D opening.
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