The Higher, the Better. Generally, the weaker the overcall is, the more effective it is and the higher it should be.We often use preemptive overcalls at the three, four or higher levels.
© 4ª ???N E S W
1§ P 1
West, with a passed partner, preempts high. North has to make a call and a very hard decision without much information. What should North do? Double? Bid 5© 's? Pass? What would you do?
North South West
ª xx
ª xx
ª AKQxxxx
© Qxxx
© AJxx
© x
¨ AK
¨ Jxx
¨ xxx
§ AJxxx
§ Kxxx
§ xx
Preemptive bids are made with suits of 6 or more cards. There should be no chance for game on your side - don't preempt your partner. The objective is to use up opponents' bidding space, not your partner's.
There is one rule regarding preempts.
Preempt Rule: Don't voluntarily bid again after preempting.
Ever.
Bid Higher the First Time. If you can bid higher than your first call, you should have bid it in the first place. Let partner decide . . . he may be ready to double them in an unmakeable contract. Never, Never, Never!. If you bid voluntarily again after preempting, your partner will never be able to understand what you are doing, and he can't trust you to be quiet when he is sacrificing.The following example is a terrible sequence by North. He deserves the 800 point penalty he's about to get - plus South will never be able to trust him again. North might have bid 5§ in the first place - that's a real bid! Also, South should have bid 5§ , not 4§ , to help North.
5§ !? . . .N E S W
3§ Dbl 4§ Dbl