Matchpoints: Bridge Article

Matchpoint (Pairs) Strategy at Duplicate Bridge

The Bidding:

Bid aggressively. Duplicate pairs tend to bid "close" games and slams, so don't settle for a safe part-score if you think there's a fair chance you can make game.

Choose the highest-scoring game. For game contracts, you should be most anxious to play 4 Heart or 4 Spade , willing to play 3NT and reluctant to play 5 Club or 5 Diamond . If you have game values and a club or diamond fit, consider playing 3NT instead.

Choose the safest part-score. When you have minimum high-card strength, choose the safety of a trump suit. A major-suit is still best, but if you're deciding between notrump and a minor, play a suit contract if you have a fit.

Overcall freely. Don't be afraid to make light, lead-directing overcalls at the one-level -- especially when you're not vulnerable and your opponent opens 1 Club or 1 Diamond . If you have to go to the two-level to bid your suit, though, be somewhat cautious. For a 2-level overcall, you should have a good suit (a strong 5-carder or, better, a 6+-card suit), especially if you're vulnerable.

Raise partner's suit freely. Even if you're light in high-card points, stretch to raise partner if you have a fit for his suit, especially in competitive auctions.

Sacrifice more often. If you have a good fit, sacrifice freely if your opponents are vulnerable and you are not. But be very conservative when you're vulnerable.

Don't "sell out" too low. If the opponents stop at a low level, you don't have to have a strong hand to balance back in. The best time to compete is when:

(1) You're not vulnerable
(2) The opponents have stopped in 1 or 2 of a suit contract (not 1NT or 2NT)
(3) You're short in the opponent's trump suit.

Double more part-scores. If you bid to a part-score you think you could have made, but your opponents bid over it, a double is sometimes necessary for you to get even an average score. (Be very careful in choosing when to use this tip!)

Use a simplified form of the "Law of Total Tricks (Trumps)" for competitive decisions. In part-score situations -- those where you've found a fit but wanted to stop at a low level -- don't let the opponents push you to the 3-level unless you have a 9-card trump fit.

The Play:

Make "normal" opening leads. Don't try for a "top" by choosing an unusual lead. Against most contracts, choose a safe, non-deceptive opening lead.

Look for overtricks. Unlike in rubber bridge, it's sometimes right to make a fairly risky play trying for the overtrick -- especially when you're in a "normal" contract that you think will be bid by other pairs.

Play it safe if you're in an unusual contract. Go for the sure plus score if you're playing or defending a contract that won't be bid at most tables.

In General:

Play with the "field". When in doubt about what to bid or play, try to guess what might be happening at other tables and go for a similar result.

Consider using 15-17 pts. as the range for your opening 1NT bids. You'll often have a bidding advantage when you open 1NT. Most duplicate players use the 15-17 range (rather than 16-18) because it allows them to open more hands with 1NT. If you use this range, responder will need to adjust his requirements up by 1 pt. You should also change your 2NT opening range to 20-22 pts.