BBO Discussion Forums: Your action in matchpoints? - BBO Discussion Forums

Jump to content

Page 1 of 1
  • You cannot start a new topic
  • You cannot reply to this topic

Your action in matchpoints? Warning: this is going to be silly

#1 User is offline   Antrax 

  • PipPipPipPipPipPip
  • Group: Advanced Members
  • Posts: 2,458
  • Joined: 2011-March-15
  • Gender:Male

Posted 2011-August-21, 23:44

Beginner game at the club, all vul, matchpoints scoring.

N/S bids are natural. What do you do?
0

#2 User is offline   JLOGIC 

  • 2011 Poster of The Year winner
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • Group: Advanced Members
  • Posts: 6,002
  • Joined: 2010-July-08
  • Gender:Male

Posted 2011-August-22, 00:47

I would double, I have good defense and partner will have some clubs as he didn't bid stayman or anything, and I have nowhere else I can play.
0

#3 User is offline   Antrax 

  • PipPipPipPipPipPip
  • Group: Advanced Members
  • Posts: 2,458
  • Joined: 2011-March-15
  • Gender:Male

Posted 2011-August-22, 01:04

That's what I thought. Partner didn't double, after the match saying it's very likely we're already in a better spot than the field (since we're probably not making 3NT), and there's no need to "win more" by doubling. I was wondering if that makes sense, it sounds reasonable, but it didn't win all the matchpoints (one other pair got the -800 while we settled for the -300)
0

#4 User is offline   frank0 

  • PipPipPipPip
  • Group: Full Members
  • Posts: 472
  • Joined: 2011-April-17
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:US, Irvine CA

Posted 2011-August-22, 01:07

Double and very likely you will regret why you're not playing rubber bridge.
0

#5 User is offline   BunnyGo 

  • Lamentable Bunny
  • PipPipPipPipPipPip
  • Group: Advanced Members
  • Posts: 1,505
  • Joined: 2008-March-01
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:Portland, ME

Posted 2011-August-22, 02:19

View PostAntrax, on 2011-August-22, 01:04, said:

That's what I thought. Partner didn't double, after the match saying it's very likely we're already in a better spot than the field (since we're probably not making 3NT), and there's no need to "win more" by doubling. I was wondering if that makes sense, it sounds reasonable, but it didn't win all the matchpoints (one other pair got the -800 while we settled for the -300)


The reason to not double in a situation like your partner is describing, is if you think they may be able to run somewhere that's worse for you. For example, I once doubled a 3NT that I knew was going down. It let them correct their mistake and find a making 4.

In this case, they can run all they want, and you're *very* happy to double them at 4 or any contract higher than that. It doesn't seem like you ever do worse than 4 undoubled, so why not do better.

It's true that it's not many matchpoints for doubling vs. passing, but doubling can't cost matchpoints, which is the key point.

That and Justin has succinctly and clearly summed up why doubling is good.
Bridge Personality: 44 44 43 34

Never tell the same lie twice. - Elim Garek on the real moral of "The boy who cried wolf"
2

#6 User is offline   mck4711 

  • PipPipPip
  • Group: Full Members
  • Posts: 90
  • Joined: 2011-July-19
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:Europe
  • Interests:Diving, Climbing, and again - Bridge
    Age: 39

Posted 2011-August-22, 03:35

Double.
Where do they want to find another (better) spot?
You alone have 4 tricks, unless void or single, and partner promises with his 2NT bid also some points, and therefore has also potentially some defense. At matchpoint you play for the overtrick, the difference between 4 undoubled and 4 doubled can be the difference between top and zero.

Note: It is anyway funny that your opps do enter the auction after p's 2NT :). Make them pay for it...
0

#7 User is offline   Antrax 

  • PipPipPipPipPipPip
  • Group: Advanced Members
  • Posts: 2,458
  • Joined: 2011-March-15
  • Gender:Male

Posted 2011-August-22, 03:48

The hand in the OP was my partner's, it was his decision.
Do you think it likely many tables will end in 4 played by N/S?
0

#8 User is offline   farrnbach 

  • PipPip
  • Group: Members
  • Posts: 42
  • Joined: 2003-December-31
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:Germany

Posted 2011-August-22, 04:25

D in pairs, I need the 200 to beat 120 for 2nt=
If they can make 4 then this ias a plain zero anyway

at imps, D also, but with a bit of more uneasiness
0

#9 User is offline   FrancesHinden 

  • Limit bidder
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • Group: Advanced Members
  • Posts: 8,482
  • Joined: 2004-November-02
  • Gender:Female
  • Location:England
  • Interests:Bridge, classical music, skiing... but I spend more time earning a living than doing any of those

Posted 2011-August-22, 15:11

You (or your partner) are right that doubling is unlikely to gain you many more matchpoints. However, it isn't going to lose you any at all (if 4C is, astonishingly, making you'll be getting a zero anyway). So if it gains some matchpoints and loses none, it's the correct call.

Also, you are missing part of the point of playing. One of the most enjoyable things to do at the table is to take a huge penalty. If you don't double, you won't have so much fun.
2

#10 User is offline   Antrax 

  • PipPipPipPipPipPip
  • Group: Advanced Members
  • Posts: 2,458
  • Joined: 2011-March-15
  • Gender:Male

Posted 2011-August-23, 01:00

Okay, thanks. If someone's interested, I'm attaching all four hands:
Spoiler

0

Page 1 of 1
  • You cannot start a new topic
  • You cannot reply to this topic

3 User(s) are reading this topic
0 members, 3 guests, 0 anonymous users