Opening 3 Level Bids

To open or overcall a Three Level Bid, you should have:

1. A good suit with 7 cards and at least two honors.
2. No Ace or King in the side suits.
3. No 4 card major side suit especially if partner has not yet passed their turn.
4. A singleton or a void in a side suit

Guidelines for Preemptive Bids at the Level of 3

1. If the preemptive bid is in a Major suit, then the preemptive bid shows no interest in the other Major suit.
2. If in a Minor suit, then the preemptive bid generally shows no interest in either of the Major suits.
3. If the preempt is an overcall after an opposition opening at the one level, it should be at least one level higher and in a higher-ranking suit than the openers bid.
4. If the overcall comes after an opening bid on the one level and is in a lower-ranking suit, then the preemptive bid should be at least two levels higher.
5. Preempts describe a hand which has with enough suit length to justify the level of the preemptive bid, but also must not have enough TP's for a 1 Level opening bid.
6. Think carefully about your vulnerability, opposition vulnerability and also the number of losing tricks before bidding.
7. The honor strength of your points should be in the preemptive suit bid.

Responding to Partners 3 Level Opening Bid

If your partner opens a Three-Bid, it's up to you decide the final contract. With a weak hand and no fit, you pass.
With a stronger hand be careful to not just count points more importantly the number of tricks you can win.
A bid of game in partner's suit or notrump shows partner you have a very strong playing hand with a fit and several certain tricks (from your aces and kings).
Changing the suit at the 3 level shows you have strong hand and a good, usually 6+-card suit knowing that opener may have maybe even a singleton or void in your suit.
A simple raise of partner's suit below game shows a trump fit, but no interest in game.
You may raise your partners preemptive bid to put pressure on the opponents, to compete for the contract or to sacrifice. You do not want partner to bid again.

For a preemptive bid to be profitable, your hand must be weak enough in high cards and points for you to be sure the opponents can make their game. Your hand must also be strong enough in playing tricks and trump support in your own suit for you to be sure you won't go down more than two (and only occasionally three) tricks.