In 2nd seat (none vul.) I opened one diamond with a huge hand. Then my LHO (an expert) preempted four spades! Here was preemptor’s hand:
Do you like the preempt? In answering that question, think about how many tricks you might go down if doubled. In other words, how many tricks do you have with no help from partner? Also, think about where the opponents are likely to go in the auction. Scroll down for a summary of my thouights:
I love this preempt! Preemptor likely 5 tricks in spades and 1 or 2 tricks in clubs. That’s 6 and one-half tricks on your own. Give partner one trick and you will go down no more than three if doubled. Moreover, you have only 7 HCP while partner is a passed hand. Preemptor’s opponents certainly have game or slam in hearts. Make them guess at the five level. Preempts are difficult to deal with. Here was the entire hand (I was East):
As the cards lie our side can easily make 12 tricks in hearts for plus 480. Preemptor went down two doubled, holding us to the poor score of plus 300.