Weak Threes (Pre-empts)
(as used in my mentoring sessions)
Structure
Weak Threes (Pre-empts)
We open four-card suits.
Open the lower of two four-card suits
Open the higher of two five-card suits
With 4414 or 4144 open 1
With 1444 open 1
With 4441 open 1
Limit Raises in all suits
A 1NT opening shows 12-14 hcp in a balanced hand without a five-card major
Responses to 1NT
Stayman
Jacoby Transfers
2
Weak Takeout into a
minor
2NT Invitational
3minor Invitational
3Major Slammish
4NT Invitational to Slam
Continuations
Stayman followed by a new suit at the two-level is non-forcing
Stayman followed by a new suit at the three-level is forcing
Transfer followed by any new suit is forcing
A 2 opening shows a Game-Forcing hand or 23+
balanced
Responses
2 negative showing 0-7
hcp
Others positive showing 8+ hcp
We play weak twos in diamonds, hearts and spades. A weak two shows 6-10 hcp and a six-card suit.
Responses
RONF - Raise Only Non-Force
2NT Artificial Force
Rebid suit with a minimum after 2NT
Rebid a side high-card feature with a maximum
A 2NT opening shows 20-22 hcp in a balanced hand
Responses
Stayman
Jacoby Transfers
One Level
A one-level overcall shows around 8-15 points and a five-card suit.
Two Level
A two-level overcall shows around 10-15 points and a good five-card suit.
1
NT OvercallA 1
NT overcall shows 15-18 points and a stopper in the opponent’s suit.Systems are on . This means we respond as we would to a 1
NT opening.Top Jump Overcall Jump Overcalls are weak - around 6-10 points and a six-card
suit.
Takeout Doubles
Doubles of a suit bid before partner has bid are for takeout.
They show:
Around 12 + points (stronger at higher levels) and support for all of the unbid suits;
16 + points and a five-card suit;
or 19 + points balanced.
Negative Doubles
After partner opens we play negative doubles up
to 2.
A negative double is for takeout and promises four-cards in all unbid major suits.
Landy Over the Opponent’s 1
NT OpeningA bid of 2
Leads
Tops of sequences (or top of interior sequence)
4 th highest
Top or 2 nd from small cards
Signals
Standard Attitude - High is encouraging, Low is discouraging
When following to partner’s lead or discarding
Standard Count - High shows an even number, Low shows an odd number
- High shows an even number, Low shows an odd numberWhen following to declarer’s lead
Standard Suit Preference - High shows interest in the higher suit, Low shows interest in the lower suit
- High shows interest in the higher suit, Low shows interest in the lower suitWhen leading a suit for partner to ruff.
When setting up your long suit in NTs.