When your opponents have the balance of strength, they usually prefer that you and partner stay out of their way. To be a tough opponent, you have to look for reasonable ways to obstruct their communication and make them guess. Is this one of those opportunities?
You LHO Partner RHO
Pass Pass 1C 1S
?
Not vulnerable vs. vulnerable at IMPs, you hold
♠J92
♥J3
♦654
♣Q7653
When you have slim high-card values, the best excuse for bidding is a big trump fit. That idea has led to the popularity of preemptive jump raises, which allow a weak responder to bid at the three-level. Here, 3C would be a preempt (a 2S cuebid would show a limit raise).
In an informal poll of experienced players, about a third chose 3C. Their comments ranged from "Automatic!" to "I hate it, but passing is too cowardly". Some said it was a "Law of Total Tricks" bid because they thought it likely that partner had four or more clubs.
A smaller group tried 2C, calling it a "compromise". A typical comment: "I hate it, but 3C is too rich, and I can't not bid with five-card support".
Almost half chose to pass, and they were the most adamant about their decision. One fear was that 3C could preempt partner. One passer asked, "Why can't partner have a big hand? Do they even have a fit? The 3C bidders seem mesmerized by the third-seat opener at favorable vulnerability."
It's easy to be enticed by the conditions because they're so perfect for preempting. Your hand, however, isn't. With 10.5 losers, it has far less playing strength than partner will expect, and you can't be sure he won't bid again. You'll need to have apologies ready if he carries on to 3NT or, worse, sacrifices at 5C.
The 3C bidders were hoping to crowd their LHO out of the auction, but that can backfire. If the opponents have a spade fit, they've probably already found it. If not, your raise may allow LHO to make a responsive double and find a 4-4 heart fit. Advertising a big club fit could also push the opponents into a cold game.
Even at this vulnerability, a preempt should offer some trick-taking potential. Consider these tips when making decisions about preemptive jump raises:
A classic three-level raise has around nine losers, extra trumps and no
outside aces or kings -- a hand such as
♠2
♥843
♦J754
♣KJ1073.
At IMPs or vulnerable at matchpoints, it's wise to have a bit more playing
strength (eight losers).
Be conservative with a semi-balanced pattern (no singleton), poor trump quality and/or queens and jacks in unbid suits.
Remember that partner sees the vulnerability, too, and may have already stretched his values. One overbidder per partnership is enough.
Don't be a slave to "The Law", especially after a third-seat opening. A 1C or 1D opener can still be three cards, and with some partners, a 1H or 1S opener could be just four.
If partner hasn't yet limited his strength, don't unilaterally decide that it must be the opponents' hand.
Opponents can and will make mistakes on their own. They won't necessarily find their perfect contract without your interference.
No raise should be automatic. If partner hasn't forced you to bid and if you "hate" the bid you're considering, use your judgment and pass.
Don't assume that your opponents won't double when you're white vs. red. If
you bid 3C with the hand at the beginning of this article, partner could be
down six (1400!) before he even gets the lead. Unlikely, perhaps, but that
was the result when this hand was dealt in real life. Partner held
♠K1043
♥KQ10
♦Q73
♣J82
© 2012 Karen Walker