The Twelfth of Never

Never is a long, long time!

You ask me why I bid six… must I explain?
I try to crush my ego… and torment my brain.
You ask me how I’d play this… I’ll tell you true:
Twelve tricks may be never… I haven’t any clue.

I’ll ruff out all my losers… ‘til trumps run dry.
I’ll set up dummy’s side suit… its deuce is high.
I’ll throw in some opponent… I know not why.
Life is just eleven… twelve tricks pass me by.

Hopefully, you can play slam contracts better than I can write lyrics, and now is your chance to prove it! Six slams, and all you have to do is find a twelfth trick on each.

Simply choose your line of play from the listed Options A-F. Each option will be rated on a scale of 1-to-10 per my judgment.

And pay attention! Or “The Twelfth of Never” may become your theme song.

Bidding is standard (unless noted). Opponents use standard leads and signals.
For a reference see Standard American Bridge. Assume all players are experts.

In August 2006 these six problems were presented as a contest with 1001 entrants from 111 locations. The contest is closed, but you can still quiz yourself and find your score immediately. If you’re lucky, you might even win a valuable prize.*

*Prizes include 12 days with Tinkerbell in Never Never Land, or 12 nights with Michael at the Neverland Ranch.
Winners must be at most 18 years of age. Employees of PavCo Nevermind Scams are ineligible.

Come on, you can do it! Never say never!

Problem 1

IMPs	A Q 10 6 5 4 2			West	North	East	South
E-W vul	Q J			LHO	Partner	RHO	You
	A				1	Pass	2
	Q J 10			Pass	2	Pass	3
				Pass	5	Pass	6
Lead: K		East plays 8		Pass	Pass	Pass
	—
	A 7 6
	9 4
6 South	A 9 8 7 6 5 4 3

You win the A, cash the A (pitching 6) and ruff a spade as both follow low. What next?

A. Ruff diamond, ruff spade, win A
B. Ruff diamond, ruff spade, lead 5
C. Ruff diamond, run Q
D. Ruff diamond, run Q
E. Win the A
F. Lead the 4

Problem 2

IMPs	A J 5			West	North	East	South
Both vul	A K Q 9 2			LHO	Partner	RHO	You
	A Q 9 2				2	Pass	2
	A			Pass	2	Pass	3
				Pass	6	Pass	Pass
Lead: 10		East plays 3		Pass
	10 7 2
	7 6
	K J 10 8 4
6 South	9 7 3

After winning the A, what next?

A. Win A, J, lead 7
B. Win A, J-10, lead 10
C. Win A, J-10, finesse J
D. Win A, A, J, lead 7
E. Win A, A, J, ruff club
F. Win A, J, lead 7

Note: West has three trumps.

Problem 3

IMPs	K			West	North	East	South
None vul	J 7 6 4			LHO	Partner	RHO	You
	A 6 4					4	5
	A 10 4 3 2			5	6	Pass	Pass
				Pass
Lead: 4		East plays A
	—
	A K Q 10 9 5 3 2
	K J 3
6 South	Q 9

You ruff with the 9 and cash the A (East pitches 5). What next?

A. Win J, lead 2 to queen
B. Win J, lead 2 to nine
C. Win A, A
D. Win A, lead 2
E. Run the Q
F. Run the 9

Problem 4

IMPs	10 9 8			West	North	East	South
None vul	2			LHO	Partner	RHO	You
	A K Q 6 4				1	Pass	1
	A 8 6 3			Pass	2	Pass	4 NT
				Pass	5	Pass	6
Lead: 3		East plays 2		Pass	Pass	Pass
	A K Q J
	A K 3
	5 2
6 South	Q 7 4 2

After winning the J, what next?

A. Win A, ruff heart, draw trumps
B. Win A, ruff heart, win A-K
C. Win A, ruff heart, lead 4
D. Win A, ruff heart, lead 3
E. Win A, lead 3
F. Duck a diamond

Problem 5

IMPs	Q 5			West	North	East	South
N-S vul	K J 10 4 2			LHO	Partner	RHO	You
	A K 10 2					2	Pass
	A K			Pass	Dbl	Pass	3 NT
				Pass	6 NT	Pass	Pass
Lead: Q		East plays 2		Pass
	A J 7 2
	A Q
	5 3
6 NT South	8 6 5 4 3

After winning the A, what next?

A. Lead Q (king-ace), A-Q, finesse 10
B. Lead Q (covered) and duck
C. Win A, overtake Q, run hearts
D. Win A-Q, A, run hearts
E. Win A-Q, finesse 10
F. Win A-Q, K, run hearts

Problem 6

IMPs	K J 9 8 3			West	North	East	South
Both vul	A 2			LHO	Partner	RHO	You
	J				1	Pass	2
	A J 8 7 3			Pass	4	Pass	4
				Pass	4	Pass	6
Lead: K		East plays 9		Pass	Pass	Pass
	A 10
	6 5
	K Q 7 4
6 South	K 10 6 5 2

After winning the A, what next?

A. Win A-K, ruff spade with K
B. Win A-K, ruff spade with 10
C. Win A-K, ruff spade with 6
D. Draw trumps, win A-K, run J
E. Draw trumps, win A-K, ruff spade
F. Draw trumps, win A, finesse J

Note: West has two trumps. Both follow low on spade leads.

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Challenge 8X89 Main Analyses

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Acknowledgments to Jerry Livingston, composer of the title song
© 2006 Richard Pavlicek