When partner opens a weak two-bid or three-bid, if you want to raise his suit to game level, you need:
A fit – usually 3-card support (less if you have a very strong hand)
Control cards – aces, kings, singletons and voids
Tricks – honors, ruffs, long suits (with enough entries to establish and run the suit)
Count tricks, not points. Assume partner’s has enough playing tricks to be within 3-4 tricks of making his contract if not vulnerable, within 2-3 tricks if vulnerable.
For a Weak Two-Bid, he’ll
have 4-5 tricks non-vulnerable
5-6
tricks vulnerable (6 tricks if vulnerable against not)
For a
Three-Bid, he’ll have 5-6 tricks non-vulnerable
6-7
tricks vulnerable (7 tricks if vulnerable against not)
To count your side’s tricks on offense, start with your estimate of partner’s playing tricks, then add in:
1 trick if you hold the ace or king of trumps. Add ˝ trick for the queen.
1 trick for an outside ace or a KQ in the same suit. Add 1˝ tricks for an AQ in the same suit.
˝ trick for an outside king.
1˝ tricks if you have an outside singleton and at least 3 trumps.
2 tricks if you have an outside singleton and 4 trumps.
Count losers. Visualize an “average” hand for partner. Try to count the number of potential losers you’ll have in the contract you’re considering. Assume he has xx in all unbid suits.
Count your winners on defense. When considering a sacrifice, try to count your side’s possible tricks if you defend their contract.
If you have 3-card support, assume partner will take ˝ a trick in his suit (he'll be able to cash a trick in his suit about half the time).
If you have 2-card support, assume he’ll take 1 trick.
Add in your quick tricks – aces, kings, KQ and AQ combinations.
Add ˝ to 1 trick if you hold 4 of their trumps.
Forcing responses (the preempter is being asked for more information):
New suit = Usually a 6-card suit.
2NT = Asks for an outside feature (ace or king). You need around 14+ high-card points to make this bid.
Redouble (over an opponent's direct takeout double) = Shows interest in penalizing their suit.
Jump to 3 of a new suit (2D-3H or 2H-3S) = Shows a long, strong suit and sets the trump suit. Asks partner for a cuebid (ace, king or singleton).
4NT = Blackwood or Keycard Blackwood for partner’s suit.
If partner opens or overcalls 4H or 4S:
New suit (4S-5C) = Artificial slam try. Asks partner to bid 6
of his suit if he has a control (ace, king, singleton or void) in the new suit.
Invitational responses (the preempter can continue on to game in his suit):
2NT followed by 3 of partner’s suit (2H-2NT / 3C-3H) = Mild invitation to game. Preempter can pass or bid 4 of his suit.
2NT followed by 3NT (2H-2NT / 3C-3NT) = Choice of games. Preempter can pass 3NT or bid 4 of his suit.
Non-forcing responses (the preempter always passes):
Single raise (2H-3H) = 3-card support and one or two outside tricks if non-vulnerable (more playing strength if vulnerable). This raise furthers the preempt; it is not an invitation to game.
Double raise (2H-4H, 2D-4D) = Preemptive (4-card support) or game values if the suit is a major.
Any game bid (2S-4S, 2S-3NT, 3C-3NT, 2H-4S) = Responder has chosen the final contract. He does not need any information from the preempter.
If you’re responder: When you have a fit for preempter's suit, determine what level is "safe" and bid the full limit of your hand immediately, even if your RHO passes. If you have a 9-card fit, the opponents always have at least an 8-card fit. Try to make it difficult for them to find it.
If you’re the preempter: Don’t bid again unless partner makes an invitational or forcing bid.
© Karen Walker