Old article

 

Monday, April 07, 2003 5:12 PM

Hand Evaluation – Tactics ( How to Play IMPS )

 

PITBULLS:

 

            I have stated in previous articles that good IMPS players emulate good poker players . Good poker players take calculated risks and gamble when appropriate . They do not take stupid gambles so play close to the vest until they strike . However , they do gamble . There is a gambling aspect of Bridge so those who ignore that element of the game will not do well in IMPS . Poker players gamble when the pot odds are in their favour. It is a risk reward type of thinking. IMPS players should be in tune with the poker players.

 

            If I were to critique all the IMP matches that I have played over the decades , I would give the main reason for teams losing is that they can nor or will not change away from the Match Point mentality. Match points is where they learned their game so their “style” is match point orientated . What do I mean by that ? The Holy Grail in match points is the plus . Get a plus at all costs . Do not bid iffy games , close slams or compete too much as to get a minus.  There is no such thing as “taking out insurance” for a small minus to avoid a big disaster. Its only 1 board in match points but it may be 17 IMPS in IMP scoring and take a lot of energy to get it back .

 

            I notice that match point players playing IMPS over use game tries so are trying to be too precise . They do not take calculated risks in slam or game bidding .Again the take a plus at all costs mentality . They will not “fight” as much as IMP players in the psychological aspect of the game . Super light lead directing bids in 3rd seat seem to be non existent . Tactical psyches or aggressive bids  to keep opponents out of vul games when they are not vulnerable are not in their repertoire . Mind games to keep the opponents guessing is not something you see from Match Point Players very often. Sometimes you make bids to pressure opponents into making wrong decisions . These bids no not come without risk but they are part of the psychological warfare of IMPS.

 

            Match points players take unnecessary risks though by the nature of their game.  This is in the area of competing for partials or trench warfare as it is often called.  As a partial is just as important as a grand slam in match points , they make “match point “ overcalls without decent suits to win the partial . These can back fire quite often causing partner to make the wrong lead , wrong decision or just go for a horrible set . In IMPS , this action can be -14 IMPS so take many boards to win back . An IMPS player makes sound overcalls with a decent suit so may balance later if the water is fine . In IMPS , balancing is far less risky than a 2 level overcall on Jxxxx of clubs with 13 HCP . An overcall in IMPS shows a suit not a collection of HCP’s. An opening bid shows a collection of HCP’s whereas overcalls show a suit as a rule. Just because you have opening bid values ,  does not make your hand an overcall. You use hand evaluation to enter the auction even at the one level. If by not bidding you risk not getting to game , you bid. Competing for partials take a back seat to common sense.   In IMPS , you sometimes sell out to a partial to avoid risking a disaster. This action is repugnant to matchpoint hounds or Bergen disciples.

 

            IMPS players “play the vulnerability” as a strategy , by adjusting  their overcall style to be  more aggressive on the terrorist vulnerability. In matchpoints , overcalls are consistent with any vulnerability because if the importance of partials in that method of scoring. In matchpoints , being a terrorist with your overcalls on all vulnerabilities is a good strategy. One of the worst arguments I have seen for bad overcalls in IMPS  is the following logic. By making bad overcalls you win a double partial swing , another double partial swing & then go for -500 to break even. This argument is fallacious as an IMPS player may still get the double partial swings by balancing & avoid the -500.  In IMPS , the pot odds do not justify silly overcalls just  to show HCP’s. You are gambling too much to gain too little. Who says your singlehanded “heroic” vulnerable overcall on ♠Jxxxx is the only way to gain a partial swing ? Bergen nonsense.

 

            If you pass with 12 HCP’s with a bad suit & they buy the contract in NT , this is not necessarily a bad thing in IMPS. You lead your suit & the opponents have the A,K & queen of your suit then win & play their suits . You keep leading your suit until it is established so you beat 1NT for +100. You analyze the  hand & by risking an overcall with a bad suit vulnerable , you can make +110 or even +140. In IMPS , so what ?  not a disaster. In matchpoints , not very good.

 

Match point doubles of partials should be avoided in IMPS . If you “know” they are going down ,  a pass is quite often good as partner might pull the double or weird distribution might allow them to make it . A bad double  is not a good poker style risk .The play of the cards , opening leads , and defense show me a Match Point player from an IMPS player . Match point players are afraid of aggressive opening leads even if the auction calls for it . They will choose a passive lead because deep in their subconscious they remember a –650 being a cold zero because of the overtrick . An IMPS player makes much more aggressive leads as overtricks virtually mean nothing.

 

            In defense too , Match point players are scared of making a switch as it may give up an overtrick. They do not go all out to beat a hand but tend to be overly passive . They do not have the beat the game mentality instead the “ I will not give anything away mentality” . Counting distribution , tricks  and HCP’s guide the good IMPS player in defense and play.

 

            In the play of the cards , safety plays are the last thing Match Point players think of . If the hand looks cold then an IMPS player starts thinking of bad breaks and safety plays to ensure the contract . The match point player is probably thinking of an overtrick . Playing IMPS you can go on “autopilot” and play instinctively. Your instincts have been formed in the Match Point game so that might lead to an IMPS disaster. If your Bridge background is rubber bridge then O.K. in IMPS , but if it is Match Points you are well on your way to losing ….