In a Pairs Bridge Tournament, the inexperienced average player sometimes gets his objective messed up, not really being aware of what needs to be tried to come amongst those few winners who give a lot of thought to the strategy and tactics required for keeping the pairs targets sharply in focus. In the match point pairs you just need to out beat every other pair - the margin by which you outscore is not that relevant. But let me clarify that the objective is to outscore all those pairs who are playing with your cards. This brings us to what the absolute par objective in pairs means - that is the minimum number of points that must be lost by the weaker side, eg NS par would be the maximum score that NS can achieve by playing in their best contract against best defence. Same is for the EW par. The product of the best efforts of both sides is what Ely Culbertson called 'the absolute par'. This represent the crux of the entire game. What is needed is to find that absolute par and see to it that you don't go above or fall below it. One thing is to be kept in mind always - without opponent's help it is impossible to beat absolute par.
A cool temperament is vital for a pairs game wherein emotions should not cloud judgments keeping poise even at getting a zero earned for no fault of yours is an example given below:
Say NS reach the normal contract of 4S in match point pairs. West makes a rather diabolical lead of the deuce of hearts. East wins, plays the required club return for west to ruff, gets back in hearts to give partner another club ruff for one down giving NS red ears for no fault of theirs. But for that unusual lead NS were cold for 10 and even 11 tricks or more. The best is to shrug it off and concentrate on the next deal with the same poise. Pairs bidding should never go overboard in an attempt to reach close games. Never make partner's decision for him. In close games follow what the field will be likely in and bid obvious slams letting the border lines go.
But the dummy play in pairs is the key to the winning line, being consistent with your bidding, first evaluate as the dummy comes down whether you have reached your bidding par or are above or below it for you need to adjust accordingly.
Suppose in a 6NT contract with following NS cards:
You receive the lead of QC. If east has KS once or twice guarded you will score 13 tricks unless east has all 5 outstanding diamonds. For a thrice guarded KS, you would need 3 diamond entries. Therefore, the diamond suit needs to be handled correctly. How? Yes KD overtaken with ace, if west follows. After one spade successful finesse, repeat the maneuver with JD overtaken with queen. If both follow the 10 diamond is the key card entry to catch the spade king thrice guarded. But suppose you land in 6H with the following NS cards:
This time the 6H contract is an over bid not par. So what should you objective be? To make 12 or go for 13. What is the best line for you as south?
Win first trick with AC, draw trumps, cash AK of diamonds and take ruffing finesse against the queen with east. This would succeed if west's queen is singleton or doubleton or if east has the QD trapped. In both cases all 13 tricks will take your success chances to 55%. Of course the direct finesse you thought of as a better line to make an over trick is just an illusion giving you a 50% chance of success. Can you reason why? Because this is fallacious thought. The point is if west has QD, none will make 12 tricks. They will be making either 13 on direct finesse or 11 otherwise on ruffing finesse. So your need for overtrick will be useless for you. Success or failure depends in pairs at taking the best chance.
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North West East South
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K J 6 7 4 2 9 5 A Q 10 8 3
10 4 A J 9 8 6 2 K Q 3 7 5
Q J 6 9 8 5 3 K 10 7 2 A 4
A K 9 5 4 - 10 8 7 3 Q J 6 2
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North
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8 7 3
7 4 3
A Q 10 8 2
6 5
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South
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A Q J 10
A K 8
K J 6
A K 9
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North
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Q J 7
K 6 2
A K J 10
A 9 5
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South
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-
A Q J 9 8 7 5 3
7 5
8 4 3
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