Gambling in Bridge

PITBULLS:

IMP philosophy or the " team style" in playing in top level team games is usually dictated by the personalities of the players . Some teams are totally unpredictable and their results usually depend on the skill of the defenders or how many finesses make . This "single handed" style is an

all or nothing approach and usually leaves their partners out of the loop .

Peter Jones is a poker player . Good Poker players are very disciplined and tend to play the percentages and not do stupid things. They are aggressive if the pot dictates it or will bluff on occasion but their overall strategy is not to lose their money . In long IMP matches a winning

strategy is to emulate the poker players . Do not blow your money (IMPS ) by taking unnecessary risks but make yourself known by being aggressive when necessary and bluff on occasion to keep the players guessing . Swinging in poker will leave you broke in the long run even though you can "luck out" on occasion . Swinging in IMPS will bankrupt the team in the long run .

This does not mean you have to be ultra conservative and go into a shell to not lose imps . Jones has an expression he borrowed from sod workers. "Green side up" means you bid your games and slams and compete hard. Taking any strategy to the extreme is a losing proposition . Just do not make "bad bets" or needless gambling in IMPS. Playing close to the vest until the situation dictates otherwise is the best strategy . Tom Gandolfo in 3 hands in Regina against the Willard team had a chance to overcall 2♣ but felt it was dangerous to do so . The opponent bid on all 3 hands and

lost 30+ IMPS .

Good IMP strategy is a balance between being aggressive without being reckless . Teammates coming back with six down 3 , six down 1 and -1100 will discourage all but the most hardy team mates . Gambling for the sake of gambling is not what IMPS are all about . Poker style gambling is what IMPS are all about. "Pot Odds" in Poker are determined by the amount of money in the pot . Your gambling will depend on how much you have to gain or lose in the IMP pot . If by not taking out insurance by bidding in a double game/slam swing situation you are playing bad bridge/poker . By

gambling 730 on a penalty double for +200 you are playing bad "poker" . By psyching vul against non vul you are throwing away a possible 1400 to gain a 460 not being bid. Bad gamblers show up in Bridge as well as poker.

In Poker to be successful , you have to "grind it out" over the long run . That is resist the temptation to make bad gambles. In long IMP matches it is the same thing . You do not have to win every board . Partners make have some pleasant surprises for you unless you decided to play

"giveaway" on a few hands due to lack of discipline . A good partnership does not undermine the team by playing every pot . A pass in Poker and a pass in Bridge both can make a lot of sense ...