Leap In The Dark

27th May - Board 23: Game All. Dealer South

	North: S 8 6 H 8 6 4 3 D 3 C A Q J 10 6 4
West: S 10 9 7 4 H Q D A 10 9 8 7 4 2 C 9		East: S K Q J 3 2 H A K J 9 D J C K 7 3
	South: S A 5 H 10 7 5 2 D K Q 6 5 C 8 5 2

A preempt almost by definition is something of a leap in the dark and while some guidelines should be adhered to it is important to remember that the main raison d’être of a preempt is to derail the opponents. A first in hand preempt has a much greater degree of success than one made in second hand because in the first case you have two opponents and only one partner. (Although occasionally it feels like three opponents.) The best time to preempt is third in hand because you know by now that the hand on your left is dying to bid and partner is little more than a bystander. For all of the above reasons I would have passed the West hand. Not only is it the worst position to preempt but the suit is only ok-ish and having a four-card major on the side is not entirely desirable. (Most players under the age of 25 don’t worry about such niceties but we oldies do.)

3D was indeed opened at several tables and East closed proceedings with 3NT, a contract that rolled home on a heart lead but would have been less successful if a club had been led, assuming of course that North withholds the ace.

Having said that I would have passed the West hand I would have opened the North hand with 3C! I know I am a club short but only sissies demand a seven-card suit these days and the suit is pretty robust. I also do not mind having four hearts on the side because partner has passed and chances of game are remote. Would 3C have been effective? Not a bit. East would have doubled, West bid diamonds and East spades, raised to game by West. Dead easy.