[nikos59]

In another thread, whereagles posted an atypical preempt
that happened to produce a significant gain at the table.
I wouldn't bid 3C with his hand, but I have often bid
atypical preempts.

However, there is a point that is often overlooked
about preempts, which is valid especially at matchpoints
and in a mixed (or worse) field.

I mean: you preempt and you go for 200/500/800 when
the opponents have game/slam. If you play a team match,
then you *may* be reasonably sure that your expert
teammates will bid said game/slam, so your little operation
stands to gain (or at least you will win the argument when
you compare scores!)

However, in a mixed field, you discover that your -200 etc.
takes a bad score because very few bid the game available.

The other day I opened 2S first to speak love all
holding
V1098xx
Vx
Dxx
xx

and partner gave me four on KQx in spades and some 13 dull points
(I would never do it but I don't blame her).

4S was doubled and went for 300. The booklet with the deals (this
was a simultaneous matchpointed over several clubs at the region) suggested
reaching 5D with our opponents cards and making it, for 400 their
way. So, our opponents were disappointed, all the more because
they could actually set me for 500.

I was also disappointed because I knew very well that -300 would
produce a bad matchpoint score, and I was vindicated when
the results came out (from some 120 tables):
as expected -300 was worth 30% of
the matchpoints.

[whereagles]

In general it's a bad idea to make off-side preempts against weak opponents. It's often a pass out and you go quitely down for what usually is a bad score, since no one bids game and those who bid it go down from poor play. Preempts work better against good players.

[Rebound]

I don't think it is a good idea to get into the habit of raising a preempt to game with an opening hand either. I would do it with a weaker hand to further preempt the opponents, or with a stronger hand thinking it would make. A normal opener is likely to have too much defense and not enough offense.

[hrothgar]

I agree in principle with this point: IF you are playing in a weak field that can't offer any protection then pressure tactics lose a lot of their appeal.

With this said and done, I don't much see the point in playing with a very weak field. At times, I am forced to do so. But even here, I prefer to practice the skills that will serve me best in "real" competion.