|
The more we learn, the more we still need to know - that's
Bridge
Is discipline punishment? No, SIR!
It's the art of order and obedience resulting from "training"
Bid 'em up when you have impunity
Location, location, location
Controls always beat
Quackers
Having a bag of tricks (gadgets) can help you get nice treats |
If partner opens preemptively with a weak 2 bid, how should I respond with
16-17 points and 5 in a major suit and 3 in a side suit (minor).
Shucks, this requires another "it depends" answer. Relevant factors
to consider include:
How many points does partner's weak 2 promise? Skilled players have developed
specific weak 2 partnership agreements based on vulnerability. For
instance, some play a weak 2 promises 8-10 HCP in first and second seat when
vulnerable - known as disciplined preempts. Others follow a somewhat
similar approach using the "Rule
of 2-3-4", bidding:
2 levels
above available playing tricks with unfavorable vulnerability
3 levels
above available playing tricks with neutral (same) vulnerability, and
4 levels
above available playing tricks with favorable vulnerability (your side
white, opponents’ red).
For this discussion, let’s say you and your partner agree to use disciplined
preempts. Using either of the above approaches and assuming partner is
vulnerable, you should force game with your holdings. However, with neutral
or favorable vulnerability, you should take a more cautious approach,
considering:
Where are
your honors? Do they compliment partner’s preemptive suit? If you don't
have working honors, you are less likely to make game. Also see
Environmental Factors
What is the
quality of your honors? Are the honors in your long major or side suits?
If in side suits, you are less likely to make game.
What
conventional treatment do you use to explore game when partner makes
preemptive weak 2 bid? Do you play RONF
(Raise Only Non Forcing), 2N as a "feature
ask", or perhaps play an advanced treatment such as
Ogust (showing weak/strong hands and
weak/strong suits)? Incidentally, the Feature Ask allows preemptive
partner to bid a side suit at the 3 level if holding a King or Ace, a great
way to investigate if 3 Notrump is possible with sufficient stoppers; this
approach also allows responder to query opener for extra strength when
exploring game or perhaps slam.
Opposite a preemptive weak 2 opener, we could generate some 15 point hands
that make game while some 18 pointers that have no chance for game.
Finally, as a rule of thumb, with 17 points we typically want to explore
game. Perhaps you'd like to consider books on
Preempts.
I hope this helps - good luck on your bridge.
|
