Winning IMPs

This book highlights the strategies that contribute to success in team games. Of course, there is no magic formula for winning at bridge, given the inherent complexity, the incomplete information available to both sides, and the psychological elements involved. However, there are some characteristics common to consistent success:

• good bidding methods are essential
• these methods are useless without courage
• as declarer, care and planning are vital
• as a defender, a little thought goes a long way

Winning IMPs in Teams and Swiss Pairs events requires good methods, skill, courage and a bit of luck. Winning often depends on getting to thin games (we bid it, you try to beat it!) and reasonable slams. Bidding is therefore a primary focus of this book. The rest of the time, significant IMP swings largely relate to (not enough) care and thought in the cardplay and defense. The remainder of the book centres around these areas of focus.

Reviews

Surprisingly, there has been little in bridge literature that focusses on the strategies of IMP bridge. Rakesh Kumar’s new book fills this void nicely.
For 20 years he’s had a column in the NSWBA Bulletin covering his success and failures at the table. Rakesh’s first bridge book, Winning IMPs, is based on material from his column and discusses the strategies that lead to successful IMP play. This text focuses on the four essential areas of winning IMPs bridge.And all the key points are illustrated with many hands taken from actual tournament play.
- Australian Bridge Federation