TACTICS AT TEAMS (IMP SCORING)

The initial question is ~ "Are we playing a team that is weaker or stronger than us?". The answer to this will influence your tactics. You must know the odds for and against gaining from your potential action.

OPENING, PROTECTING and COMPETING Be prepared to open a little light, especially if non-vulnerable. Alternatively, be prepared to balance with slightly less. Cautiously contest the part score, especially non-vulnerable.

THE BASIC PHILOSOPHY IN THE PLAY For declarer, the over-riding need is to make the contract. Overtricks are a bonus, not to be carelessly sought.

For defenders, it is crucial to get the contract off. With no clear defence, it is correct to choose a line which might defeat the contract but which, if it fails, will give overtricks. The odds are heavily in favour of this approach.

PART SCORES and OVERTRICKS Part scores and overtricks are usually relatively unimportant. But, do not let opponents play in uncontested part score contracts. The difference between 2! making and 3! minus one, is 4 or 5 IMPS, enough to win or lose a match.

VULNERABLE GAMES ~ Always bid borderline games when vulnerable. The scoring system favours the brave. One well-known Grandmaster refuses to play in 2N - he always bids 3N.

EXAMPLE You bid 3N, vulnerable, knowing it's a risky game. The most likely outcome is either -

(a) You make 3N, for +600 or (b) 3N goes one off, for -100. Say your opponents play the same hand in 2N ~

(A) 2N+1 scores 150 or (B) 2N just making scores 120.

Compare (a) with (A) where 9 tricks are made. If 3N was bid the profit is 600-150 = 450, a gain of 10 IMPS.

Compare (b) with (B) where 8 tricks are made. If 3N was bid the loss is -(100+120) = -170, a deficit of 6 IMPS.

Thus the odds in favour of bidding the borderline vulnerable game are 10 to 6 i.e. 10 out of 16 = 62.5%.

NON-VULNERABLE GAMES ~ Do not bid unlikely non-vulnerable games ~

EXAMPLE (a) 4H bid and made makes +420. (b) 4H minus 1 loses 50. If the opponents play in 3H then ~

(A) 3H bid making up 1, scores +170. (B) 3H bid and made makes +140.

In case (a)/(A) the gain for game bid and made, as opposed to making 3H+1 is (420-170) = +250 i.e. 6 IMPS.

In case (b)/(B) the loss for not bidding game is -(50+140) = -190 i.e. 5 IMPS. So the odds in favour of bidding a non-vulnerable game are only 6 to 5 i.e. 6 out of 11 = 54.5%.

SMALL SLAMS Profiting from a doubtful small slam is always even odds. If winning, or playing a weaker team, don't risk the slam. But, against a stronger team, you must consider bidding it. A weak team playing a strong team should always bid possible small slams. It's the best chance for the weak to beat the strong.

GRAND SLAMS Vulnerable, the odds against gaining from an iffy grand slam are 17 to 13, or 57% against. Non-vulnerable, they are 15 to 11 against, or 58% - not good. On balance, don't bid a grand slam unless you see 13 tricks. At the other table they may not even bid the small slam!

DOUBLING for penalties is fraught. One off, doubled, gets 1 or 2 IMPS, a poor gain against a bad loss, especially if they're doubled into game. Some pairs play that a double cannot be for penalties, although they may agree that partner can pass to convert to penalties.

Bill Macmillan 03 April 2001