Pre-emptive openings
A pre-empt is a high opening, at the three, four or five level, made on a weak hand with a long suit.
When it is used
The point isn’t to make your contract; it’s to steal so much bidding room that the opponents, who probably hold the balance of strength, can’t find their best spot.
A pre-empt normally shows a seven-card suit or longer, a hand not strong enough to open at the one level, and no side four-card major. The rule of 2 and 3 sets the level: bid to where you would be no more than three tricks short non-vulnerable, two tricks short vulnerable. Having pre-empted, you never bid again on your own.
An example
Partner hasn’t yet had a chance to bid. You hold this hand.
- ♠ K Q J 9 8 6 4
- ♥ 10 3
- ♦ 10 6 2
- ♣ 6
Non-vulnerable, open 3♠. Vulnerable, pass: too much risk.
Where we teach it
Taught in the Improver course, as the first lesson of the Strong & Pre-emptive Openings topic, the same in both systems, ACOL and 5‑card majors. Weak two openings come later in the same topic.
Learn it properly
Bridge Unlocked teaches the game step by step, with real hands to play. Bridge Basics is free.