Pre-emptive opening bids

An opening bid of 3C, 3D, 3H or 3S shows a good 7 card suit and less than 10 HCP. It is mainly designed to obstruct the opposition’s bidding.

Responses are as follows:

Raise to game with 4 “quick tricks” • A = 1QT, KQ = 1, AK = 2, KQJ = 2, etc. • A, K or Q in partner’s suit is usually worth a QT too.

Bid 3NT with a strong hand and a good fit with partner’s suit

Bid a new suit with a good suit that is a genuine alternative to partner’s suit (game forcing)

Otherwise pass