Responding to a preempt in bridge

After our side opens with a preempt it's good to have some solid partnership agreements about what happens next.

[@emmanuelvacakis4463]

They should double 4 hearts for a heart lead.

[@jt94093]

Thanks for this video. On the first hand, would you give some consideration to an immediate 3NT response since playing from your side seems likely to earn an extra trick on the lead?

[@Skybridgeclub]

Yes, for sure. That’s a good point. If 3NT is the right spot then I’d rather be playing it. One of those hands on which pass, 3S or 3NT would all be reasonable choices.

[@simonh306]

I would like to have seen declarer play with a 3-1 split and an AK of hearts lead 😮

[@Skybridgeclub]

Yeah, not so good. Still, the diamond suit is allowed to behave.

[@mremumerm]

@@Skybridgeclub wouldn't that also be offset by S having the Q of hearts to get rid of the low club in North? so rough the K♥, return to S with Spade make sure no 4-0 split, Queen of Heart, Ace of club, low club trumped with J of Spade, and now no need to worry about clubs.

[@Skybridgeclub]

@@mremumerm yes, well spotted. On the layout of the cards we’re saved by East having the Ace and King of hearts.

[@gordoncecilrodman6821]

Does this agreement work with a weak 2 pre-empt?

[@Skybridgeclub]

Great question! Let’s say the opening bid is 2H and the responder bids 2S. What would 3C by the opener be? Would that be first round control of clubs with spade support. The answer is no, that would simply show something in clubs. I guess you and your partner could agree to anything you wanted but I’m pretty sure that most partnerships wouldn’t play that as spade support because in this case it would be more useful to keep exploring for the best suit or no trumps. I hope that makes sense!

[@gordoncecilrodman6821]

Thanks. That makes a lot sense@@Skybridgeclub