False Preference
When in the maxi-minimum range (8-9 support points), and holding 2 cards in opener's major and 5 cards in opener's minor, you are worried about passing and missing game when partner has some extra-values. So you take 'preference' to 2 of openers major. This keeps the bidding alive and allows partner to take another call even though your preference would in fact be for the minor.
When in the mini-minimum range (6-7 support points) and holding 2 cards in opener's major and 4 cards in opener's minor, you Pass. Even though the 'rule' says to prefer the major, the last thing you need is for partner to take another bid with extra values. By passing in a known fit, you hope to ensure the partnership a plus score.
Read more about this topic: Forcing Notrump
Famous quotes containing the words false and/or preference:
“The oath of a lover is no stronger than the word of a
tapster; they are both the confirmer of false reckonings.”
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616)
“Do not discourage your children from hoarding, if they have a taste to it; whoever lays up his penny rather than part with it for a cake, at least is not the slave of gross appetite; and shows besides a preference always to be esteemed, of the future to the present moment.”
—Samuel Johnson (1709–1784)