Partner's opening typically shows a six-card suit, probably two of the top three honors, 5-10 HCP, limited defensive values, and usually no four-card major on the side. Now what?
Ground Rule #1: Partner has, on average, king-queen-sixth and an outside queen. The most you can hope for is ace-king-queen-sixth, or king-queen-sixth and an outside ace; any hand stronger than that is an opening one-level bid nowadays.
Ground Rule #2: The weak-two opener will not bid again unless forced. This applies to any preemptive opening; exceptions are rare. Responder is the captain, and is in complete control of the rest of the auction.
- Support With Support! A raise is not invitational; a raise is simply continuing the preempt. With three-card support and no game interest, raise to three. With four-card support or more, raise to four (maybe just three at unfavorable vulnerability). Don't wait to see if the opponents will let you play at the two-level. There is no minimum point requirement for a raise. If you have no points at all, then the opponents can surely make game if not slam; take away their bidding space to make their lives more difficult. Consider raising even with honor-doubleton, particularly at favorable vulnerability and with poor defensive values.
- If the player to your right makes a takeout double, all the more important to show support if you have it. If you have a fit, the opponents will never let you play your two-level contract doubled.
- If you absolutely want to be in game across from as little as, say, king-queen-ten-sixth and out, just bid game. Note that this is indistinguishable from a weak jump to game with four-card support; make the opponents proceed at their own risk. Remember, opener is not going to bid again unless forced.
- A new suit by an unpassed hand is forcing for one round. It suggests no fit, and at least a six-card suit of your own. Opener will raise your suit with honor-doubleton or more. Otherwise, opener can show a lower-ranking second suit (four or more cards) or just rebid the opening suit. Responder is in charge and will place the contract. This allows for responder to "rescue" a hopeless no-fit situation by bidding a new suit (forcing), and then rebidding it to play; this should be a good seven-card suit for a rescue. Note that a new suit by a passed hand is nonforcing.
- If you want more information about partner's hand: Bid 2NT asking for a "feature", an outside ace or king. Opener shows an outside ace or king by bidding that suit (Alert!), or bidding 3NT with AKQTxx ("six solid tricks", Alert!). Otherwise, opener simply rebids her suit. A singleton or void is not a feature; responder might be looking for a outside entry in order to play in notrump, or a fitting honor in a suit of her own. The 2NT feature-ask does not indicate a fit for opener's suit. Responder will place the contract, not necessarily in opener's suit!
- Many pairs prefer that opener not show a feature with a minimum hand; make sure you and partner are on the same page.
- Some pairs prefer to use 2NT as the Ogust convention, asking about opener's overall strength and suit quality. Make sure you and partner are on the same page.
- If you have a strong notrump opener or equivalent, you probably belong in game. Consider that if you had opened 1NT, partner will bid game holding an "average" weak two hand. Use the 2NT feature-ask if you think you need more information.
- With no fit and no six-card suit of your own, be very cautious. Misfit hands belong in suit contracts; don't bid 3NT with no fit unless you can play all thirteen tricks from your own hand. With a very strong hand -- say, 20 HCP or more -- it's fine to put partner in game on a 6-1 fit.
If you have an exceptional hand and just want to go slamming, "Preempt Key Card" is a useful convention. It is standard practice among expert players. After an opening preempt, an immediate 4♣ bid by responder (Alert!) asks about key cards. Opener's responses are steps showing 0-1-1-2-2 as follows:
4♦ - no keycards
4♥ - 1 keycard without trump queen
4♠ - 1 keycard with trump queen
4NT - 2 without trump queen
5♣ - 2 with trump queen
All responses must be Alerted immediately in online play, or after the auction has ended in face-to-face play. Responder will then place the contract, not necessarily in opener's suit!
Opener will never have three or more keycards; that would be an opening one-bid. Using Preempt Key Card the partnership can find out about keycards without ever going past five of the trump suit, and often staying at the four level with dismal hands.
-- Ray
Better Bridge in 5 Minutes. Guaranteed! (or the next one is free)
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