Super pre-empts

This article is paraphrased from the Larry Cohen lesson in the November 2017 Bridge Bulletin. He gives guidelines on opening pre-emptively. To open 4 of a suit you need 8 cards and not enough points to open on the 1 level. Never pre-empt with a strong hand because you could miss a slam. If you choose the 8 card opening option be aware of your vulnerability and assess your hand. If you are vulnerable and opponents are not, be within 2 tricks of your bid in your hand. If you and opponents have equal vulnerability, be within 3 tricks of your bid, and if you are not vulnerable and opponents are, be within 4 tricks with most of your points in your long suit. Also be aware of your seat position. In second seat have a sound hand, in third seat and not Vulnerable be aggressive. In forth seat it’s best to Pass if you have a poor hand. It is not recommended to ever open 4 NT. Instead go slow with your bidding to attain the best contract.

There will be no Evergreen game at Rufty-Holmes on Friday, Nov. 24. Rufty-Holmes Center will be closed for Thanksgiving. Because of Veteran’s Day, there is no Evergreen game Nov. 10, hence no results to report and hence no featured board.

We had a very challenging game at the Women’s Club Nov. 14. There were many lopsided and mismatched hands. No matter how “painful,” we still keep coming back for more torture.

Winning were: 1st Betty Bills and Beth Shafer, 2nd Lawana Ford and Patsy Reynolds, 3rd Wade Lowder and Fred Bachl, and 4th Shirley and Ron Jeffers.

Every third Tuesday at the Women’s Club at 11:30 a.m. Ron Jeffers will be having seminars on “How to play a Hand.” He uses several dealt hands and talks about how to play them. He has done this several times before with great success and has decided to continue. Come out and learn.

Reminder: Christmas Party Dec. 7 at 6 [.m. at Santo’s Italian Grill. Mark your calendars and let me know if you will attend. Looking forward to a wonderful time.