Four and Five Level Opening or Overcalls

Rare but Fun.   Four and five level openings are rare, and usually occur in third or fourth seat when partner has passed. In the case of a preemptive 4 or 5 level overcall, the other three players must guess if the bid is legitimate or purely preemptive. Your partner will pass your opening 4 and 5 bids and the opponents will have to guess.

No Safety Net. The usual preemptive principles apply -- safety for yourself is not an issue.

If the opponents are going to bid and make a game or a slam, you must jam their bidding as high as possible, not as high as you feel safe -- you will go down 500 to 1400; that is the point, after all. You can't expect to preempt effectively after experienced opponents have found their fit -- you must do it before they have a chance.

Preemptive Bidding Examples:

N	E	S
P	1ª	5§
ª x			or	ª x
© Qxx				© xx
¨ x				¨ x
§ AKJxxxxx				§ AQxxxxxxx
This hand is too strong to open 5§ - open 1§.  Bid 5§ after North passed. .				This is a good 5§ preempt hand.

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N     E     S      W

4©  -    -    -

ª x
© AKQxxxxx
¨ Qx
§ xx To make if partner has anything.