Theory for Bidding Games and Slams
To Bid or Not To Bid - Version Q (2)
Team Event [IMP]:
i. Assuming 16+Boards and against competent Opponents
ii. The contract is reasonable and Opponents do not double for the final contract
1. Vulnerable Game:
1.1 Assume our side bidding the Vulnerable Game 4H and making 10 tricks = 620 points
and Opponents only bidding a partial
3H and making 10 tricks = 170 points
We win 450 points, which coverts to 10 IMPs
1.2 Assume our side bidding the Vulnerable Game 4H and making only 9 tricks = -100 points
whereas Opponents only bidding a partial
3H and making
9 tricks = 140 points
We lose 240 points, which coverts to -6 IMPs
The odds for bidding a Vulnerable Game is 10 against 6.
The mathematical percentage for the break-even point is ~37.50 %
2. Non-Vulnerable Game:
2.1 Assume our side bidding the Non-Vulnerable Game 4H and making 10 tricks = 420 points
and Opponents only bidding a partial
3H and making 10 tricks = 170 points
We win 250 points, which coverts to 6 IMPs
2.2 Assume our side bidding the Non-Vulnerable Game 4H and making 9 tricks = -50 points
whereas Opponents only bidding a partial
3H and making 9 tricks = 140 points
We lose 190 points, which coverts to -5 IMPs
The odds for bidding a Non-Vulnerable Game is 6 against 5.
The mathematical percentage for the break-even point is ~45.45 %
Conclusion: The break-even point for bidding a
Vulnerable Game is 37.50 %
The break-even point for bidding a Non-Vulnerable Game is 45.45 %
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Edited on:20060302
Printed on: 17-02-16
Theory for Bidding Games and Slams
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Team Event [IMP]:
i. Assuming 16+Boards and against competent Opponents
ii. The contract is reasonable and Opponents do not double for the final contract
3. Vulnerable Small Slam (Assume Opponents reach a game contract):
3.1 Assume our side bidding the Vulnerable Small Slam 6H and making 12 tricks = 1,430 points
and Opponents only reaching a game contract
5H and making 12 tricks = 680 points
We win 750 points, which coverts to 13 IMPs
3.2 Assume our side bidding the Vulnerable Small Slam 6H and making 11 tricks = -100 points
whereas Opponents only biding a game contract
5H and making 11 tricks = 650 points
We lose 750 points, which coverts to -13 IMPs
The odds for bidding a Vulnerable Slam is an even-money bet.
The mathematical percentage for the break-even point is exactly 50%
4. Non-Vulnerable Small Slam (Assume Opponent reaches a game contract):
4.1 Assume our side bidding the Non-Vulnerable Small Slam 6H and making 12 tricks = 980 points
and Opponents only biding a game contract
5H and making 12 tricks = 480 points
We win 500 points, which coverts to 11 IMPs
4.2 Assume our side bidding the Non-Vulnerable Small Slam 6H and making 11 tricks = -50 points
whereas Opponents stop in the game contract
5H and making 11 tricks = 450 points
We lose 500 points, which coverts to -11 IMPs
The odds for bidding a Vulnerable Slam is an even-money bet.
The mathematical percentage for the break-even point is exactly 50%
Conclusion: The break-even point for bidding a Small Slam (versus Opponent bidding game
contract) is exactly 50.00 %, whether vulnerable or not.
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Edited on:20060302
Printed on: 17-02-16
Theory for Bidding Games and Slams
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Team Event [IMP]:
i. Assuming 16+Boards and against competent Opponents
ii. The contract is reasonable and Opponents do not double for the final contract
5. Vulnerable Grand Slam (Assume Opponent reaches the small slam):
5.1 Assume our side bidding the Vulnerable
Grand Slam 7H and making 13 tricks = 2,210 points
and Opponents only reaching the Vulnerable Small Slam 6H and making 13 tricks = 1,460 points
We win 750 points, which coverts to 13 IMPs
5.2 Assume our side bidding
the Vulnerable Grand Slam 7H and making 12 tricks = -100 points
whereas Opponents reaching the Vulnerable Small Slam 6H and making 12 tricks = 1,430 points
We lose 1,530 points, which coverts to -17 IMPs
The odds for bidding a Vulnerable Grand Slam is 13 against 17.
The mathematical percentage for the break-even point is ~56.67 %
6. Non-Vulnerable Grand Slam (Assume Opponent reaches the small contract):
6.1 Assume our side bidding the Non-Vulnerable Grand Slam 7H and making 13 tricks = 1,510 points
and Opponents only bid the Non-Vulnerable Small Slam 6H and making 13 tricks = 1,010 points
We win 500 points, which coverts to 11 IMPs
6.2 Assume our side bidding the Non-Vulnerable Grand Slam 7H and make 12 tricks = -50 points
whereas Opponents stop in the Non-Vulnerable Small Slam 6H and make 12 tricks = 980 points
We lose 1,030 points, which coverts to -14 IMPs
The odds for bidding a Non-Vulnerable Grand Slam is therefore 11 against 14.
The mathematical percentage is exactly 56 %
Conclusion: The break-even point for bidding a Vulnerable Grand Slam (versus Opponent bidding
Small Slam) is 56.67 %; a Non-vulnerable Grand Slam, 56.00%
Pairs Event : Match-point scoring
In Pairs events, the odds for bidding Games, Small Slams and Grand Slams are really depending
on the overall standard of the field. The weaker the field, the more conservative the bidding
should be. The strategy for Pairs event is primarily to protect the plus score. Therefore, one
should be much more conservative in bidding games and slams because some weak pairs may
not even reach a small slam when a grand slam is there. Therefore, the following is only rough
guidelines for bidding games and slams in a competent field (e.g. Open Pairs Final in U.S.)
Game Contracts: 50% (Both Vulnerable and Non-Vulnerable)
Small Slams:
50% (Both Vulnerable and Non-Vulnerable)
Grand Slams:
68% (Both Vulnerable and Non-Vulnerable)
One US Expert, Mr. Barry Cane, requests his Partner never bids a Grand Slam without counting
13 tricks in a Pairs event. How right he is!
- END -
Edited on:20060302
Printed on: 17-02-16