Cheaper or Lower Minor Against Preemptive Bids

The author, developer, and/or inventor of this particular competitive method is unknown. The Cheaper or Lower Minor conventional competitive method is a method, sometimes also referred to as a convention, which uses the cheaper, still available Minor suit as a takeout double. This principle only applies, as the student of bridge can easily recognize, for one preemptive opening bid, which is Clubs.

Three Level Preempts Other Than Clubs

If the preempt is 3 Clubs, then 3 Diamonds is for takeout. If the preempt is any suit other than Clubs, then 4 Clubs is for takeout. Any call of double is for penalty.

Note: Bridge partnerships applying this competitive method may have different agreements as to its application depending on the seat position in relation to the player preempting. Some partnerships agree not to use the method in the pass-out seat, and other partnerships agree that the method may be used in the second and pass-out seat.

Preemptive Opening in Clubs

East 97 54 K2 QJ98643

South AK104 KQ93 AQ76 2

East		South		Meaning
3				Preemptive opening bid on the three level.
		3		According to the parameters of the competitive method an overcall of 3 Diamonds is for takeout. This is the only preemptive opening bid, over which 3 Diamonds can be employed. Note: for the example above, competing with an overcall of 3 Diamonds is preferable to a double. (Note: some partnerships have limited the number of losing tricks to generally 4 losing tricks, but which can, under circumstances, be extended to 5 losing tricks depending on the shape of the holding and the held values.)
		Double		An immediate call of double is for penalty. The expectation is that, by any vulnerability, the defenders can achieve a better result than competing for the contract.

Preemptive Opening in the Other Three Suits

East 97 QJ98643 K2 54

South AK104 2 AQ76 KQ93

East		South		Meaning
3				Preemptive opening bid on the three level.
		4		According to the parameters of the competitive method an overcall of 4 Clubs is for takeout. Note: as mentioned, some partnerships have limited the number of losing tricks to generally 4 losing tricks, but which can, under circumstances, be extended to 5 losing tricks depending on the shape of the holding and the held values.)
		Double		An immediate call of double is for penalty. The expectation is that, by any vulnerability, the defenders can achieve a better result than competing for the contract.

If you wish to include and of these features, or any other feature, of the game of bridge in your partnership agreement, then please make certain that the concept is understood by both partners. Be aware whether or not the feature is alertable or not and whether an announcement should or must be made. Check with the governing body and/or the bridge district and/or the bridge unit prior to the game to establish the guidelines applied. Please include the particular feature on your convention card in order that your opponents are also aware of this feature during the bidding process, since this information must be made known to them according to the Laws of Duplicate Contract Bridge. We do not always include the procedure regarding Alerts and/or Announcements, since these regulations are changed and revised during time by the governing body. It is our intention only to present the information as concisely and as accurately as possible.