Down 2 with unfavorable vulnerability

Down 3 equal vulnerability

Down 3 or more with favorable vulnerability

Key is suit strength, not points -- count you playing tricks.

Should have less than an opening bid, including distribution (Rule of 20).

Should contain fewer than 10 HCP. The exact number is not important.

Don’t open at the three level with a suit headed by the AKQ. Open 1C with  6_53_JT2_AKQT865  (Rule of 20)

Suit quality is important when vulnerable. Open 3H with  5_AKQT986_954_86 vulnerable or not (you have 6 losers, or 7 playing tricks).

Distribution is important. 7-3-3-0 is better than 7-3-2-1, which is better than 7-2-2-2.

Avoid preempting with too many outside honors. Don’t open with 3D with KJT_Q6_J876532_Q.

Three-level openings usually promise a seven-card suit except for 3C which may be a six-card club suit.

Try harder to preempt (sometimes with a six-card suit, especially spades). Your LHO must have a good hand. Make him sweat.

Open 3S with  KQJ987_void_T986_643.

Open 3D with  2_K6_AQJ9765_JT6  (in 1st or 2nd seat Rule of 20 says open 1D).

There is no reason to preempt with a weak hand.

Pass and take your chances with 97_KQJ8754_75_J6.

Only open three with an intermediate strength opening hand containing seven trumps. Fourth-seat 2- and 3-level openings are not weak but show an intermediate hand (10 to14 HCP is a reasonable range).

	Long-suited hands containing extra values (15 or more HCP) should be opened at the one level.
	Open 3S in the fourth seat with AKQJT74_7_532_43.....shows an intermediate hand with seven trumps.
	Open 2H in the fourth seat with 75_AQJT73_AJ9_Q8.....shows an intermediate hand with six trumps.

At a partial contract or game-level contract, partner’s suit will almost always be trumps.

Rarely, if ever, you will bid 3 NT. This is a shutout bid, partner may never correct.

With a misfit:

Even with a pretty good hand, pass.

With a very good or great hand, bid game in his suit even with a singleton.

	With a fit (three, or a nice two trumps)
	Bid to the four or five level (use The Law when you have support)

With a big hand, consider slam in his suit or no trump

Suit Overcalls

	Overcalling at the three- and four level requires a good six-card or longer strong suit.
	Bid soundly in the direct seat and do your gambling in the balancing seat when opponents have stopped below game.

Cue-Bid Opener’s Suit

	Shows a powerhouse.
	You bid 4S over opponent’s 3S you must have something like: void_AQT2_AQ743_AKJT
	If partner bids 5C, 5D, or 5H, you pass, as he may have a very poor hand.
	If a slam is to be made, it is up to partner to bid it.

3NT Overcalls of Opponent’s Three Bid

	Shows a balanced hand with at least one stopper in the enemy’s suit
	In the direct seat you need at least 18 or 19 HCP.
	In the balancing seat you need at least 15 or 16 points.

4NT Overcall of Opponent’s Three Bid

	Bidding 4NT over an opening bid of 3H or 3S is a version of the “unusual notrump overcall”.
	You are long in both minors with a substantial hand and partner is asked to bid his best minor.
	To bid 4NT over 3H you have something like:  73_void_AKJ92_AJT854

4NT Overcall of an Opening 4H or 4S

	4NT over a 4H preempt is a takeout for the two minor suit (the unusual notrump).
	4NT over a 4S preempt is a takeout for the three unbid suits.
	Requires a substantial hand since partner must bid at the five-level.

Doubles of the Preemptive Bid – Below the Game Level

	If opponent preempts with 3C, 3D, 3H, 3S, 4C, or 4D your double is for takeout.
	You need the proper shape: 4-4-4, or very strong with 4-4-3 with the three having like 3 honors.
	Point requirements are similar to those when doubling an opening suit bid of one, but since partner is forced to bid at higher levels you need a better hand. The higher the level the stronger the hand.

Doubles of the Preemptive Bid – At the Game Level

	Doubling 5C or 5D is always for penalty.
	If the responder makes a preemptive bid by raising partner’s opening 1H to 4H your double is always for takeout. Requirements are the same as doubling a 3H opening bid.
	Doubling an opening 4H or 4S bid is an “optional” double.
	Don’t double unless you don’t care whether your bids or not.
	The onus is on partner whether to bid game or better, or pass for penalty.