Don’t take unnecessary risks!
There's a huge difference between Match Point Pairs and IMP scoring. In the first you are often willing to take a risk to get an extra trick. It is all about answering S.J. Simons three questions rightly:
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How much can my play gain?
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How much can it lose?
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Whats the chance of success?
Playing IMPs, taking any risk for an overtrick when you know you’re in the right contract is not done in good company.
Board: 14
Dealer: East
Vul: None
Teams
North
♠ A3
♥ A1084
♦ A105
♣ K1084
West East
♠ 985 ♠ K6
♥ KJ52 ♥ Q763
♦ Q92 ♦ 8763
♣ 952 ♣ 763
South
♠ QJ10742
♥ 9
♦ KJ4
♣ AQJ
South West North East
pass
1♠ pass 2♣ pass
3♠ pass 4NT pass
5♣ pass 5♦ pass
6♦ pass 6♠
This is how Ted Reveley and Rhona Goldenfield bid this hand to be the only pair to reach this good slam in Fridays IMP Pairs. It is a study in effective bidding, where the key bid is Rhona’s 3♠. After showing one key card Rhona showed the ♠Queen and ♦King with her 6♦ bid and Ted parked in 6♠ .
West lead the ♥2 won by the ace. Had it been Match Point Pairs, I’m sure Rhona would first of all asked herself how many other pairs would be in 6♠? If the answer is “most”, she would have to ask what is the danger by entering her hand to take the Spade finesse for an over trick? If East has six♦s and the ♠King, entering the hand in ♦, and taking a failing ♠ finesse will lead to one down. It MIGHT be a risk worth taking at Match Point Pairs. At IMPs there is no need to take such a risk.
At trick two Rhona played the ♠Ace followed by a new Spade to the King in East. East played a Heart ruffed with the ♠Queen. Rhona took two more rounds of Spades before she claimed the rest. A masterclass in precise bidding and play.
Espen Gisvold
PS
If you see a hand you think is worth mentioning please leave me a note at: Espen
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