(1) AVOID JUMPING STRAIGHT TO 3NT WHEN RESPONDING
South
 K 8
 T 9 6
 A 8 5 3
 K Q J 7
North |
East |
South |
West |
1 H |
Pass |
2 C |
Pass |
2 H |
Pass |
4 H |
South should avoid making an immediate response of 3NT. It takes a lot of bidding space and leave opener no room to describe their hand. 3NT might not be the right contract or a slam might be missed if opener has a strong hand.
Better to just make a forcing bid of 2C and see what partner bids next. In fact there is no hand where you need to respond 3NT after a 1 opening, as you can usually bid a 4 card suit or even perhaps a three card minor (inventabid)!
(2) DON'T PRE-EMPT WITH A 4 CARD MAJOR
Don't open the bidding with a pre-empt if your hand contains a four card major in addition to the pre-empt suit.
Pre-empting tends to shut up your partner so you may miss out on a major suit fit and even miss a major suit game.
North
 6 2
 A 8 5 2
 V O I D
 K Q T 8 7 5 3
South
 K T 7 5
 K Q 6 5 3
 A J 6 2
 V O I D
North |
East |
South |
West |
Pass |
Pass |
1 h |
Pass |
4 h |
If North pre-empts with 3 c South will have to pass. Although South has opening points it is not enough to change suit after a pre-empt (need 16+).
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