HOW TO DO WELL AT TEAMS

Because of the differences in scoring, different tactics are appropriate. The scoring is using IMPs. e.g. 0-10 points = 0 imps, 20-40 points = 1 imp, 50-80 points = 2 imps, ..., 430-490 points = 10 imps. See IMP SCALE. So if you score +620 and your opponent +170, there is a difference of  +450 so you gain 10 IMPs.  The system does all the scoring for you and you can see the scores for you and the other teams as you go along. 

In the regular club pairs sessions, your score is compared to all other pairs holding the same cards. You are awarded 2 match points for every pair whose score you exceed and 1 for each pair your score equals. If your score is the best on a board played 10 times, your score is 18, regardless of the margin over other scores. The key to success is how often you are ahead of your opponents (the other pairs sitting in your direction).

In teams, you have only one opponent. He or she is sitting in your seat at your current opposition’s home table. The key to winning is how much you do better than your opponents on each board.

An example. In pairs you bid 3S and make an overtrick for 170. All other pairs bid the vulnerable game scoring 620. You have the bottom score on this board worth 0. But you can get it all back on the next hand by scoring 110 when your opponents all score 100.  At teams you will lose 10 imps on the first board. The second board will be scored as no gain to either side, so you are still 10 imps behind.

So to do well at teams:

1. Declarer’s top priority is making the contract. Typically in teams you may deliberately sacrifice a possible overtrick if by doing so you can guarantee making the contract. (This is usually incorrect at pairs).

2. Defenders’ top priority is to defeat the contract rather than simply try and limit the overtricks.

3. Play in the safest contract. This applies at any level. Game, slam or part score.

4. Keep your teams overcalls sound. Especially at the two level vulnerable. At pairs you are overcalling based on the probability of finding a playable contract. If two thirds of your pairs overcalls result in a good score, it doesn’t matter how bad is the third one. A single big minus in teams can cost you a match.

5. Bid your games. At pairs (either vulnerability) you should bid a game if you rate it a 50% or better chance. Be more aggressive in Teams, especially vulnerable. Stretch to bid a vulnerable game with a 40% or better chance of making. You will be come out ahead (provided the failing games are undoubled, minus one).

6. Bid a small slam with a 50% or better chance of success. (As you should in pairs). But in Teams If there is a choice of denomination, choose the safest slam. Bid a grand slam only if 13 tricks are certain. There is nothing worse than failing in a grand slam and then finding that your opponent played only in game or part score at the other table. 

7. Your main gains will come from bidding games missed by your opponents, and from accurate part score bidding. Small plusses at both tables really help your score along.