Bidding like it’s IMPs in a Matchpoints game?

Serious question. Have you ever played in a matchpoints game but agreed with your partner you will bid as if you are playing IMPs?

Mini Bridge Adventures: Edison Sectional

Today is my first time participating in the Edison Sectionals, which is the new version of the pre-Covid Woodbridge sectionals. Why are we going? Mostly, because we have a very fun crew of four that hopes to practice prior to tomorrow’s GNT Flight B opening round.

Of course, we could simply go to the convenient Bridge and Games Saturday session or play online, but somehow I found fellow addicts willing to wake up at 7am on a Saturday in order to squeeze in two face-to-face sessions. Truth be told, the commute is quite convenient – only a 45 minute drive from Midtown given there is no Saturday morning traffic; but as the designated driver, I like to to add plenty of buffer time.

Bid Like It’s IMPs!

Here is the problem. The neighboring NJ sectionals previously had IMPs pairs. However, the schedule today is entirely matchpoints. So my partner and I have agree to “bid as if it were IMPs.” That means invites aren’t really invites, they are just sheepish game forcing bids. If the opponents do some crazy part-score interference, we probably won’t be doubling them. Maybe we should even play like it’s IMPs to get the maximum amount of practice — a chance to use all of the crazy safety plays we learn on BridgeMaster, or defend hoping partner has the longshot holding that can set a contract. Overtricks don’t matter in IMPs, right?

Ok ok, maybe we won’t go entirely crazy, but for all of our conventions and agreements, we are using the IMPs version of them. Get ready for more minor part scores or seven-card major fits in lieu of 1NT. At least I know I won’t be declaring 4 of a minor. Btw, of course Edison has swiss teams – it is on Sunday instead of Friday and Saturday.

How about everyone else? Have you ever agreed with your partner to bid like it’s IMPs in a Matchpoints game?