A general query on pairs tactics based on yesterday’s hand. If you’re in a non standard but good contract then it makes sense to play safe. Yesterday I’d expect most to be in 3N. If it is making you get a bad score regardless and by playing for a safe 8 tricks you might just lose to others in 2N making 9 or more. If you’ve stopped luckily low, though, you’re likely to beat those in 3N by taking the line they do and going one less off. South’s line was great at IMPs but I’m less convinced by it at pairs.
Any general advice here? I realise whole books could be written and some have been.
Regards
Iain
Bobby WolffDecember 9th, 2022 at 2:17 pm
Hi Iain,
By all means, and when playing and discussing tournament bridge, it is both a learning experience and indeed gratifying to replay the various combinations of play and defense.
However, and for others who hold less ambitious attitudes to do the mind work almost
always involved while seeking so-called best lines of play or defenses which test the declarer in various ways.
That’s why others who love other sports sometimes say, “That’s what makes horse racing so much fun” or close.
You, being always the optimist, suggest that 3NT may be bid, well, if so, one or likely both N and/or S, but likely both, would really have to fall in love with those two hands
in order to proceed to the dizzy heights of game with their combined ducats.
However, and one of the great fallouts from loving the game we play becomes the post-mortem which oft times leads to various views worth discussing, at least by the
lucky ones in our group who have fallen head over heels for its allure.
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Hi Bobby,
A general query on pairs tactics based on yesterday’s hand. If you’re in a non standard but good contract then it makes sense to play safe. Yesterday I’d expect most to be in 3N. If it is making you get a bad score regardless and by playing for a safe 8 tricks you might just lose to others in 2N making 9 or more. If you’ve stopped luckily low, though, you’re likely to beat those in 3N by taking the line they do and going one less off. South’s line was great at IMPs but I’m less convinced by it at pairs.
Any general advice here? I realise whole books could be written and some have been.
Regards
Iain
Hi Iain,
By all means, and when playing and discussing tournament bridge, it is both a learning experience and indeed gratifying to replay the various combinations of play and defense.
However, and for others who hold less ambitious attitudes to do the mind work almost
always involved while seeking so-called best lines of play or defenses which test the declarer in various ways.
That’s why others who love other sports sometimes say, “That’s what makes horse racing so much fun” or close.
You, being always the optimist, suggest that 3NT may be bid, well, if so, one or likely both N and/or S, but likely both, would really have to fall in love with those two hands
in order to proceed to the dizzy heights of game with their combined ducats.
However, and one of the great fallouts from loving the game we play becomes the post-mortem which oft times leads to various views worth discussing, at least by the
lucky ones in our group who have fallen head over heels for its allure.