From: jeff@smoggy.gg.caltech.edu (Jeff Goldsmith)
Newsgroups: rec.games.bridge
Subject: Re: Playing in an individual
Date: 10 Nov 1992 02:42:16 GMT
Organization: California Institute of Technology, Pasadena
Distribution: all
NNTP-Posting-Host: smoggy.gg.caltech.edu

I've found some results that help playing in 
individuals a lot.  I've managed 3 blue ribbon
Qs from indies, so it seems to be working.
Here are a bunch of suggestions, in no particular
order.

A) When you draw a hopeless partner:

1) Play your partner's convention card, if possible.
If not, play Yellow Card, less anything that partner
does not expressly suggest.  The rationale is that
partner will only play the card he/she is carrying
anyway, so at least you have a clue.

2) Don't insist on anything.  You will make your 
partner angry or confused.

3) Try to avoid: Micheals, Gerber, and any other
conventions other than Old Black, Stayman (simple
only,) negative doubles through as low as they
are willing, 2C, takeout doubles, and, if they
seem like they might know it, Jacoby.  Do not
play Texas or splinters or any artificial raise
in either minors or majors unless it is written
on a card partner hands you.

4) Even if it is on their card, don't play Micheals
or Gerber.  

5) Smile a lot.  Be helpful and friendly.  A happy
partner is worth tons of matchpoints.

6) Don't bid any but the most obvious slams.  They
will have no play.  Even if you are going to play
it, you'll make far fewer than half.  You partner is
clueless about slams.

7) Take the push to get partner off the opening lead.

8) Play "If I bid 3NT, you will pass."

9) If there is a game, play 3NT from your side, four
of a major from partner's.  Almost always when it is
close.

10) Don't underbid as much as you think when partner
will play the hand.  Remember that the defense is 
terrible, too.  

11) If you have a weak stomach, don't watch partner
play the hand.

12) Never cue-bid.  Of any sort, no matter how obvious.
Never redouble except when partner cannot possibly do
anything.  

13) Partner is going to read your hesitations.  Try to
play in very even tempo, which means slow down when you
have no problem, but never slow down too much on defense.
Do not put any pressure on partner to be ethical.  They
won't do it.

14) Don't claim unless it is so obvious that a poker
player can work it out.  It will be declined.

15) Try very hard not to call the director.  Your
opponents will be hopelessly muddled for the next
three rounds, costing you matchpoints. 

16) Repeat: try to make your partner and opponents
feel comfortable.  Be confident, but avoid intimidating
them.

17) Partner is not paying attention to your signals on
defense.  Declarer probably isn't, either.

18) Overbid a little on part score hands; you are 
extremely unlikely to get doubled.  And beaten.  On
the same hand.

19) Relax.  Don't worry if partner does something 
stupid.  That is to be expected.  There is an old saying
about individuals: "You can't win unless partner passes
you in Blackwood at least once."  I won one when pard
passed Blackwood on the very first hand.  Surprise,
you will have company or someone will do something worse.
It is tough to get a total zero in an individual.  Or a top.

B) When you draw a strong player:

1) How can you identify him/her?  If it is not obvious,
he's a weakling.  Even if he thinks he is good or has
1000 masterpoints.  I lost an individual when partner
said going into the last round, "play tough--I have a 
chance to win this event."  Partner had 5000 Masterpoints,
slopped up the last two boards and cost me the event by
1/2 a matchpoint.  Partner is in the individual probably
because he has difficulty getting and keeping partners.
Or he likes to drink.  Or get tortured.  

2) So he's really a player:  Bid normally, but somewhat
agressively, as if you were playing IMPs.  Bid 3NT a lot.
You will both make it.

3) Preempt soundly.  Whom, after all, are you preempting?

4) Double if you think they are going down.  You will
get surprisingly large numbers of undertricks if you
play real defense.  Your opponents are not used to it.

5) Have your bid as often as possible.  Partner probably
thinks you are hopeless and will try to steal the contract.
Let him.  The alternatives are worse.

6) Play Bridge World Standard, simplified.  Don't use any
artificial bid unless you are really stuck.  Don't use a
complicated bid; don't get fancy at all.  Keep it simple.

7) Make book leads.

C) You are playing with a bottom-dweller against a good
opponent.  

1) Don't preempt as much as you think you ought.  All
your bids should be at least partially lead directing.

2) Take the push to get the player out of the declarer's
seat.  Remember, at the other tables, declarer is a yo-yo.

3) Falsecard on opening lead.  This is one of the few places
he won't expect it.  Partner isn't watching.  3rd or 5th best
are good choices here.  Honor leads should usually be standard.

4) Don't signal.  At all.  Play your spot cards roughly 
randomly with a bias towards low.  

5) Assume he'd hog the hand if possible.  There are a lot
of inferences available there.

This turned out to be longer than I had anticipated.
				Good luck,
				--Jeff