Bridge

Pre-emptive bids are designed to make life difficult for the opposition. Sometimes they backfire, as on this deal from the Arthur Grand Masters Pairs.

It is especially dangerous to ignore all the rules when you are first in hand. When you have a long suit, and an urge to pre-empt, you should check for flaws. Flaws are: a suit that lacks quality – Axxxxx has too many potential losers; a second place...