How high to preempt?

[cnszsun]

[hv=d=e&v=n&s=sxhxdkqxxxxxcj10xx]133|100|Scoring: IMP

(1♠)-?[/hv]

At first seat, i'm pretty sure most will open this 4♦, right?

If RHO opens 1♠, is there any difference?

[joker_gib]

I'd bid only 3♦ with the ♣ stopper. Maybe we still belong to 3NT....

 

Alain

[Free]

I wouldn't open 4♦ in a million years! The suit is way too strong to bypass the 3NT barrier, 3♦ is perfect. If p has some stoppers and ♦Ax 3NT is where we belong.

 

Now? 3♦ again, I don't like this hand. We only have KQ, no intermediates supporting the suit (KQT9876 is a lot better).

[Guest Jlall]

I like 4D, would also open 4D.

[whereagles]

what he said

[gwnn]

Right.

 

No difference.

[P_Marlowe]

Hi,

 

4D

 

To answer your question,

as high as you dare.

 

With kind regards

Marlowe

[ArtK78]

I would never open 4♦ on these cards. How do you get to 3NT over 4♦ when partner has the balance of strength at the table? It doesn't take much to make 3NT. Three aces and out - spades, hearts and diamonds (not singleton). Admittedly, partner is unlikely to bid 3NT over a 3♦ opening with three aces and out, but he certainly would bid 3NT with some additional strength consisting partly of those 3 aces.

 

And no, I wouldn't overcall 4♦ over a 1♠ opening by RHO.

[pclayton]

I would never open 4♦ on these cards. How do you get to 3NT over 4♦ when partner has the balance of strength at the table? It doesn't take much to make 3NT. Three aces and out - spades, hearts and diamonds (not singleton). Admittedly, partner is unlikely to bid 3NT over a 3♦ opening with three aces and out, but he certainly would bid 3NT with some additional strength consisting partly of those 3 aces.

 

And no, I wouldn't overcall 4♦ over a 1♠ opening by RHO.

I've heard this argument over and over and I've never been convinced by it. For the one hand in 20 where you have a perfecto 3N (and not 5♦), you'll miss out on all the cheap sacs in 5♦, the times where the opponents play in the wrong fit, the times where they miss a slam and 'stay fixed', and the occasional telephone number you nail them on when pard has a misfitting monster.

 

4♦ opening and a 4♦ overcall.

[ralph23]

The Root (and others) "formula" (not that anyone here would use such a thing!) sez, at equal vul, estimate your tricks and overbid by 3. Decent 4-card side suit = one trick. Six ♦ tricks plus 1♣ trick = 7, 7+3 = 10, so 4♦ works for me.

 

Missing 3nt? Yea, we might. Sometimes. Many times not. C'est la bridge.

 

But "bid as high as you dare" takes precedence.

[Guest Jlall]

Missing 3N is not a valid reason to not open 4m if you think the hand is worth 4m. We also open 1N with small doubletons at the risk of getting the suit run on us. Bridge is a scary game, but we just try to describe our hand as best we know how and see what happens. If you don't think the hand is worth a 4m bid then fair enough in this case, but if you do and don't do it because you're worried about missing 3N you're making a big mistake.

[jdonn]

4♦ for sure. I love that most people against me don't know they should make this bid.

[Fluffy]

I'd open only 3, but I am happy to bid 4 now.

[skjaeran]

Clear 4♦ opening and overcall IMO.

[mr1303]

Suit's a bit rubbish for 4D, so mark me down for 3.

 

Give me KQJxxxx or KQ109 and I'd bid 4.