Playing Swiss Teams

Play and Score A Little Differently. Play of each hand is the same as Pairs play, but the scoring system is somewhat different -- IMP's (International Match Points) are used.

IMP strategy is a little different, as the extra value of an overtrick is not as important if it risks making the contract. In matchpoint scoring, the extra points are worth gold.

As you will play seven boards, there's apparently less time pressure, but it's still a timed event --45 minutes per match. Don't take any time away from the other players by idle talk or any other time-wasting activity.

Compare, Then See Who Won. When finished, compare the scores with your opponents to be sure they agree to the contract, results and score on each hand.

If you're East/West, go back to your home table to compare scores with your partners. They played the same cards, but they sat in the opposite direction. Usually they are four tables away in a straight line from you - - that's how the caddies know where to exchange the boards.