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Non-Vulnerable Preempting: Apply Maximum Pressure

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When preempting Non-Vul, the focus is much more on being destructive. Taking up space and making it difficult for the opponents. There is less requirement on suit quality. Partner should not raise you unless they hold an excellent hand, because its not reasonable to expect a great hand from a non-vul preempt. 


In a recent american national, an expert player had no problems opening 3 


 N   North    
♠ Q1097542
♥ 76
♦ K84
♣ 9
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S


So clearly the standards are not very high with suit quality, however the hand is unbalanced which is a big positive (7321 is nice, 7222 is considerably worse and not always worth bidding). 


Holdings in the majors are still very important, particularly in spades. 

It would not be a great idea to open this hand 3 , as the hand is excellent if partner bids spades, you would have good chances of making game opposite a 1 opener.


 N   North    
♠ J862
♥ 6
♦ A987432
♣ 9
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N
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S
?


This hand is another poor choice to open,


 N   North    
♠ K102
♥ Q94
♦ A98743
♣ 9
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S
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The hand is too good if partner has a major - you have support, a singleton, a nice side suit etc. Your hand just looks too good for dummy duty. 


Keeping the shape the same, but the texture different, this hand is now a decent 2 weak opening. As this time the hand has its emphasis in the quality diamond suit. 


 N   North    
♠ 854
♥ 762
♦ KQJ1074
♣ 9
close
W
N
E
S
?


overall, when your side is Not vulnerable, you should preempt more boldly and aggressively. Suit quality is less of a requirement than it was vulnerable. Nevertheless, there are still sometimes where it is a good idea to hold back, particularly when you have reasonable holdings in the major(s). 


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