Good Judgment In Third Seat

When you're in 3rd seat with a weak hand, 4th hand probably has the best hand at the table, so you'd love to inconvenience him.

However, there is much more to this topic than "After counting your HCP, feel free to open with a few less than were needed in 1st or 2nd seat."

In this lesson, Marty will discuss:

• - How light can you open?
• - How much difference does vulnerability make?
• - Why this is a great time for a frisky preempt.
• - Should you ever preempt with a decent hand?
• - Are there hands which call for opening in a major with a 4-card suit?
• - Should responder ever jump?
• - If you take a 2nd bid, do you promise a full opening bid?
• - Which conventions should be used by the responder?

Here is an example of what Marty will present in this lesson:

You are in third seat at favorable vulnerability. Both your partner and your RHO have passed.

What would you do with the following hands?

Hand 1: ♠QJ10985 ♥652 ♦843 ♣2

Hand 2: ♠QJ10985 ♥QJ10 ♦QJ3 ♣K

Solutions
Hand 1: Bid 3♠

You have no defense, and partner wasn't strong enough to open, so the opponents must have a game or slam. Therefore, you need to be as disruptive as possible. So with the vulnerability in your favor, the correct action here is to sock it to them.

Hand 2: Bid 2♠

Although you have nine honor cards and 12 HCP, with this aceless mess, there is no realistic chance that your side can make a game. You want to end in 2♠, so there is no reason to do anything else. When you know where you want to end up, get there ASAP.