When holding the Kx in a suit preempted by one’s LHO, any experienced player would tend to want to bid 3NT as North in today’s hand. However his 4 card support for his partner was just too powerful to taking a specific risk, although we all know it could work the other way when 3NT is the only winning bid.
Interested players could talk until doomsday about the odds of doing one thing rather
than the other, but only the combined results over a lifetime of bridge could give a
learned opinion. And sadly it will always result in no one really keeping score on these
types of situations, only guesses, often biased in favor of the speaker, are offered.
Mircea GiurgeuDecember 2nd, 2022 at 4:52 pm
Hi Bobby,
Would the form of scoring favour one over the other (3NT at pairs/BAM and game in major at teams)?
Bobby WolffDecember 2nd, 2022 at 6:49 pm
Hi Mircea,
Not really!
Methinks that playing 3NT from North (instead of 4 spades) is merely an attempt to likely take the game making trick the easy way instead of not having one available while playing 4 spades.
Of course, bridge results being unpredictable, can and will play tricks on even the best players, but your question is very well directed but the answer, at least my thoughts, are the above.
clarksburgDecember 2nd, 2022 at 9:47 pm
Hello Bobby
Would the East hand be a better pre-empt without the Ace, i.e. suit is KQJ854 ? No defense.
Bobby WolffDecember 3rd, 2022 at 2:29 am
Hi Clarksbuirg,
No! It is impossible to tell so that with either holding the preempt is just fine.
As far as the pre-emptor knows, a diamond lead may easily set the contract and
being able to suggest that lead is a blessing.
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Hi Everyone,
When holding the Kx in a suit preempted by one’s LHO, any experienced player would tend to want to bid 3NT as North in today’s hand. However his 4 card support for his partner was just too powerful to taking a specific risk, although we all know it could work the other way when 3NT is the only winning bid.
Interested players could talk until doomsday about the odds of doing one thing rather
than the other, but only the combined results over a lifetime of bridge could give a
learned opinion. And sadly it will always result in no one really keeping score on these
types of situations, only guesses, often biased in favor of the speaker, are offered.
Hi Bobby,
Would the form of scoring favour one over the other (3NT at pairs/BAM and game in major at teams)?
Hi Mircea,
Not really!
Methinks that playing 3NT from North (instead of 4 spades) is merely an attempt to likely take the game making trick the easy way instead of not having one available while playing 4 spades.
Of course, bridge results being unpredictable, can and will play tricks on even the best players, but your question is very well directed but the answer, at least my thoughts, are the above.
Hello Bobby
Would the East hand be a better pre-empt without the Ace, i.e. suit is KQJ854 ? No defense.
Hi Clarksbuirg,
No! It is impossible to tell so that with either holding the preempt is just fine.
As far as the pre-emptor knows, a diamond lead may easily set the contract and
being able to suggest that lead is a blessing.