Matchpoint strategy

A sacrifice against a contract that was going down turns a plus score into a minus. Count your defensive tricks before you bid.

At pairs, +200 beats every part-score your side could make. When the opponents are vulnerable and stretching, a penalty double can be a top.

Game needs about 25 points between you. Bid game when you know you have it, invite when you might, and stop when you can't.

At teams, a vulnerable game needs to make only about 40% of the time to be worth bidding. At pairs, aim to do what wins most often.

At teams, choose the line that makes the contract most often. At pairs, ask whether the extra trick or the safe contract wins more matchpoints.

A sacrifice is worth it when your doubled penalty costs less than the opponents' game, and when their game was really going to make.

At pairs, a 10-point gain counts the same as a 1,000-point gain. Aim to beat the other tables as often as possible.

At teams, making your contract is what counts. Bid the vulnerable games, take safety plays and don't risk the contract for an overtrick.

At pairs, going one down not vulnerable (-50) beats letting the opponents make a part-score. Vulnerable, -100 against their -110 is close.

Preempt more freely when not vulnerable and need a better suit when vulnerable, because going down costs twice as much.

At pairs, +450 beats +420 every time. One extra trick can turn a middle score into a top.