Preemptive openings
Preemptive bids are bids higher than usual to aggresively reach a contract, avoiding defending. A preemptive opening shows < 12 HCP, which encourages reaching a suit contract and discourages reaching a notrump contract or defending.
Preemptive openings are available to the first three seats only, where there is still an opponent to block. The 3rd seat can make the most aggresive openings because the partner has passed.
Weak 2s
The weak 2s require 6+ cards in general, but 5 cards is accepted for the 3rd seat unless vulnerability is unfavorable. If non-vulnerable, the first two seats can also open a weak 2 with AKxxx or AQJxx. The strength requirements are as follows.
In the first 2 seats, pass with 4+ cards in the other major. This prevents losing a 4-4 fit if partner has an opening hand.
- Vulnerable
- 9+ points
- None vulnerable
- 7+ points
- Favorable
- 6+ points or any 7+ cards
Preemptive 3s
Opening 3 of a suit promises 6+ cards with further requirements.
First 2 seats
If there are only 6 cards in the suit, it shall be no weaker than KJ10xxx if minor or KQ10xxx if major. The required strength is 2 more points than weak 2.
- Vulnerable
- 11+ points and 8+ HCP
- None vulnerable
- 9+ points
- Favorable
- 8+ points
The 3rd seat
Quality of a 6-card minor can be as weak as KJxxxx in the 3rd seat, but no weaker for a major because one sould bid the weak 2 for a rubbish major. No more requirements on defensive values because we will never have enough values for a 3NT.
- Unfavorable
- 9+ points
- Both vulnerable
- 8+ points
- None vulnerable
- 7+ points
- Favorable
- 6+ points. 6-card rubbish minor is acceptable here.
Preemptive 4♠/♥
Opening 4♠/♥ promises 7+ cards. If there are only 7 cards in the suit, it shall be no weaker than KQxxxxx.
- Unfavorable
- 14+ points
- Both vulnerable
- 13+ points
- None vulnerable
- 12+ points
- Favorable
- 11+ points
Namyats
Namyats uses 4♣ and 4♦ for strong 4♥ and 4♠ openers respectively. Besides criteria from 4♠/♥ openings, there are further requirements for a Namyats opening.
- Suit quality
- KQ10 or stronger if there are only 7 cards
- Stength
- At most 5 losers