Doubling a Preempt

You Gotta Double. With a hand which would double a one level opening bid, double any preempt for takeout.

'Any' means at any level -- two, three, four, five . . .

This shows approximately an opening hand, and specifically shows 4+ card length in unbid major suits. Any time your opponents preempt, your bidding room is lost and you must expect some disasters from time to time. Remember your competition has the same problem.

Visualization Again. It is important at such times to visualize your partner's hand and opponents' likely distribution. Don't forget that the preemptor has guaranteed a weak hand and a long suit -- where are the missing points and the cards in the other suits? They have to be in your hand, your partner's hand and in the other opponent's hand.

If you have an opener, why can't your partner have one as well?

Example Double of Preemptive Bids:

N              E

2ª            ???

East's Hands

ª xx

ª AJT

ª xx

© xxxx

© Axxx

© AJxxx

¨ KQJx

¨ KJx

¨ KJx

§ AKx

§ xxx

§ Kxx

Dbl

Double as take out for Hearts -- not for penalty.

     3 ©

ª xx	ª AJT	ª xx
© xxxx	© Axxx	© AJxxx
¨ KQJx	¨ KJx	¨ KJx
§ AKx	§ xxx	§ Kxx
Dbl	Double as take out for Hearts -- not for penalty.	3 ©