Challenge 7W17 Main Analyses

2001: A Bridge Odyssey

by Richard Pavlicek

As we head into a new millennium (officially now since the A.D. calendar began with the year 1, not zero) I will take you on a bridge odyssey — or at least offer you a bidding challenge. These six problems first appeared in the October 1980 Florida Bridge News as a bidding panel, of which I was the moderator. Challenge yourself by choosing your call as South from the choices offered.

In January 2001 these problems were presented as a poll, with 283 entrants from 81 locations.
The poll is closed, but you can still try it as a quiz and find your score immediately.

Assume both sides use Standard American bidding (unless noted otherwise) with 15-17 notrumps,
five-card majors and weak two-bids. The object is to determine the best calls based on judgment,
so only basic conventions are allowed. For a system reference, see Standard American Bridge.

There’s no time to waste! Begin your odyssey now, before HAL 9000 notices what you’re up to.

Problem 1

IMPs		None vul		You, South, hold:

`West` 1	`North` 2	`East` Pass	`South` 1 ?	A 9 6 Q J 10 A A 9 8 7 5 3

			Your call? 2 2 2 NT 3 3 NT

Problem 2

IMPs		Both vul		You, South, hold:

West Pass Pass	North 1 2 NT	East Pass Pass	South 1 2 ?	— A K 6 4 3 K 10 2 A Q J 7 2

			Your call? 3 3 3 3 NT 4

Problem 3

Matchpoints		None vul		You, South, hold:

`West` 3	`North` Pass	`East` Pass	`South` 1 ?	K 8 A Q 10 9 — A K J 10 8 7 6

			Your call? X 3 NT 4 4 5

Problem 4

IMPs		E-W vul		You, South, hold:

West	`North` 3	East 4	`South` ?	K J 7 5 4 6 4 3 A 6 3 5 4

			Your call? P 4 4 NT 5 5 6 6

Problem 5

IMPs		Both vul		You, South, hold:

West 3 NT¹	North Pass	East Pass	South ?	K Q A J 9 8 4 A J 7 6 5 3 —

1. gambling			Your call? P X 4 4 4 4 NT 5

Problem 6

Matchpoints		N-S vul		You, South, hold:

`West` 1	North 1 2	`East` Pass 2	South 1 ?	A J 7 6 K Q 10 8 6 9 7 8 2

			Your call? P X 2 NT 3 3

Click to see how you did

Challenge 7W17 Main Analyses Scores Top 2001: A Bridge Odyssey