Definition

Noun: A high opening bid in a card game auction, especially in contract bridge, made with a relatively weak hand to disrupt the opponents' ability to communicate and bid effectively for their best contract. The primary intention is to prevent the opposing partnership from finding their optimal bid.

Usage

This term is specific to the context of auction-based card games, primarily contract bridge. It describes a strategic, aggressive opening bid.

Examples: * The player made a preemptive bid of three spades to make it difficult for their opponents. * A successful preemptive bid often forces the opponents to guess at the correct contract. * Her preemptive bid effectively shut out the opponents' strong heart suit.

Advanced Usage

• Preemptive Bidding (n.): The general strategy of making preemptive bids.
  • Preemptive bidding is a key tactic for disrupting the opponents' auction.
• To preempt (v.): The verb form describing the act of making such a bid.
  • With a long, weak suit, she decided to preempt at the three level.

Variants and Related Words

• Preempt (n.): A common shortened form for a preemptive bid.
  • His three-diamond opening was a classic preempt.
• Shutout Bid (n.): A synonymous term emphasizing the goal of shutting out the opponents.
• Weak Two Bid (n.): A specific type of preemptive bid, an opening bid of two in a suit (not clubs), showing a long suit but limited high-card strength.

Synonyms

• Shutout bid
• Obstructional bid

Related Phrases

• Sacrifice Bid: While a preemptive bid aims to obstruct, a sacrifice bid is a later bid made knowing it will likely lose points, but fewer than if the opponents played their contract. Preempts can lead to sacrifice situations.
• Overcall: A bid made after an opponent has opened the bidding. A preemptive bid is an opening action, while an overcall is a response.

Noun

1. a high bid that is intended to prevent the opposing players from bidding