The point that is often overlooked

[nikos59]

In another thread, whereagles posted an atypical preempt

that happened to produce a significant gain at the table.

I wouldn't bid 3C with his hand, but I have often bid

atypical preempts.

 

However, there is a point that is often overlooked

about preempts, which is valid especially at matchpoints

and in a mixed (or worse) field.

 

I mean: you preempt and you go for 200/500/800 when

the opponents have game/slam. If you play a team match,

then you *may* be reasonably sure that your expert

teammates will bid said game/slam, so your little operation

stands to gain (or at least you will win the argument when

you compare scores!)

 

However, in a mixed field, you discover that your -200 etc.

takes a bad score because very few bid the game available.

 

The other day I opened 2S first to speak love all

holding

V1098xx

Vx

Dxx

xx

 

and partner gave me four on KQx in spades and some 13 dull points

(I would never do it but I don't blame her).

 

4S was doubled and went for 300. The booklet with the deals (this

was a simultaneous matchpointed over several clubs at the region) suggested

reaching 5D with our opponents cards and making it, for 400 their

way. So, our opponents were disappointed, all the more because

they could actually set me for 500.

 

I was also disappointed because I knew very well that -300 would

produce a bad matchpoint score, and I was vindicated when

the results came out (from some 120 tables):

as expected -300 was worth 30% of

the matchpoints.

[whereagles]

In general it's a bad idea to make off-side preempts against weak opponents. It's often a pass out and you go quitely down for what usually is a bad score, since no one bids game and those who bid it go down from poor play. Preempts work better against good players.

[Rebound]

I don't think it is a good idea to get into the habit of raising a preempt to game with an opening hand either. I would do it with a weaker hand to further preempt the opponents, or with a stronger hand thinking it would make. A normal opener is likely to have too much defense and not enough offense.

[hrothgar]

I agree in principle with this point: IF you are playing in a weak field that can't offer any protection then pressure tactics lose a lot of their appeal.

 

With this said and done, I don't much see the point in playing with a very weak field. At times, I am forced to do so. But even here, I prefer to practice the skills that will serve me best in "real" competion.