Monday, August 12, 2002 2:42
AM
Tactics – Destructive Teams
PITBULLS:
O.K. what is the best defense against the overbidders ( the last word Larry's , Ray Grace & the Willards ) when you play against these type of teams ? Expert pairs who open on non openers , overcall at the 1 or 2 level with bad suits and /or bad values and psyche more frequently than reasonably can be expected. They exploit partnerships who do not have sound partnership understandings against tactical bids. Their bidding is destructive as they have to sacrifice partnership discipline themselves. You need a “prevent defense” against a team that plays to induce errors rather than be accurate themselves. The Gartaganis team is another example who make bad overcalls , sacrifices and are always stretching for tight games and slams. You can not just play against these teams without a plan.
The answer is discipline and more discipline . You do not fight "fire with fire" and come down to their level . Have your opening bid values and your overcall values and takeout double values . Make your pre-empts very sound . Why ? Against these type of pairs there are going to bids flying around everywhere and a partnership must be able to trust each other . They do not trust each other as they operating trying to get you to go wrong. Think plus rather than the best result. The cliché of getting the best result possible rather than the best possible result is the slogan to live by. You have to be able to "know" that it is they who do not have their bid and not your side. Level means nothing to them and they will overcall your pre-empts with unsuitable hands .This simplifies penalty doubles which is your main weapon against these people. Double when suits and trump are behaving badly for them . "Ear to the bidding" and if they are stretching and your double will help partners lead , then do it . Avoid “blind opening leads” against their contracts. Lead an Ace and look at the board and rely on partnership agreements for suit preference signals.
Also prevent defense is crucial against these pairs . Overbidders need bad opening leads and bad defense to make their ridiculous contracts . Make lead directing bids , lead directing doubles and overcalls often . Discipline in 3rd seat . If you are going to open light in 3rd seat - make it lead directing . Bid a good 4 card major in 3rd or 4th seat rather than a bad minor . Overcall on a good 4 card suit for a good lead directer . Have your lead directing doubles well understood and do not hesitate to use them. Make sure you redouble for penalty when you have the chance and your forcing pass scenarios are well ironed out .
Do not forget the pass as a weapon against their tactics. Not all of their ridiculous spots can be doubled. If they are in a bad spot ( especially vul ) leave them there . Do not spoil partners good pass by bidding one more yourself and bailing them out . Do not make takeout doubles or 1NT bids with extreme duplication value in their suits . Pass and give them a chance to hang themselves. Do not get them off the hook with horrible bids yourself.
1♠ ( vul )
ex 1♦
1NT
( AK10xx Qxx xx xxx )
This is stupid as you are not giving them a chance to get in further trouble or maybe 1♠ already is at the 800 level
Exploit
their weaknesses. Your partnership is disciplined and you trust your partner
for her values. Remember that these type of players ( from many bad
experiences) do not trust each other . They prefer the single handed approach
as opposed to partnership trust. You can exploit that with more than frequent
balancing . They will assume you have your values rather than partner. Penalty
doubles are rare from these type of players as they must trust their partners
for their values . Of course , prefer a balancing double
over other balancing bids . They may have opened with 8 HCP's and partner has
trapped .This applies to balancing only . With their weak 2’s , balance with a
double if you have defense rather than with a suit. Take advantage of the
opportunities to exploit their “style”.
Use
the old fashioned co-operative double rather than bidding again yourself
. Even if you do not subscribe to D.S.I.P. theory , give partner the option
of converting their bidding for penalty. They are going to get into trouble
with their style of bidding and co-operative doubles prevents you rescuing them
when partner has their suit. Against these teams play a double in competition
as a good hand and a request to bid again.
These type of players can be pushed . They will almost always bid one more . Use this to your advantage and give them a nudge in that direction. So if it is a close decision whether to compete one more time - do it . They will probably bid one more themselves. They want to get the ‘Last Word” in.
These players will psyche quite often . As you are disciplined yourself , if the auction sounds absurd it is them and not your side. The pass is the tool of choice against psyches . This gives them the maximum chance to hang themselves first .By you entering the auction you muddy the waters for partner and she will never believe you have some much stuff or so much stuff in their suits etc . The psyche may never get exposed .
Here is how not to handle psyches ( actual hand Thurs nite a while back )
pass 5♦
2♥ ( Jones ) 2♠ ( Crosby ) pass x Kxxx Jxxxxx xx
4♠
DBL
AKQ10xx Ax x Kxxx
5♠ now a Q bid in support of the minors I promissed with my double ?
pass pass
Proper auction 2♥ 2♠ pass 5♥ ! Psyche is exposed
4♠ pass
pass DBl
You do not expose psyches or very light openers by doubling when the opponents are in a forcing auction . The double means something else anyway . Let them continue along their merry way . The standard way of exposing psyches in non forcing or strong 2♣ auctions is double first and then bid their suit.
2♣ 2♦
DBl 3NT
4♠
2♠ x xxx xx KQJ10xxx
If
you have your partnership understandings in good order then playing
against these types is a pleasure . You will be rewarded ....