When the Bluebird Sings

“Slams are all around me — in each flower, each tree
and in each song the bluebird sings.” -RP

The above quote is from “The Slam Seed,” my most recent manuscript on the evolution of slam bidding. Alas, my publisher rejected it saying he didn’t need any more “birdseed crap.” Oh well; his loss. I’ll be the bluebird of happiness when Hollywood filmmakers snatch it up. So there!

This is a declarer-play challenge on six slam contracts. As South just choose your play from options A-F. Each option is rated on a 1-to-10 scale based on my judgment.

In April of 2001 these problems were presented as a contest, which had 226 entrants from 75 locations. The contest is now closed, but you can still challenge yourself and find your score immediately.

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

Take a deep breath and smell the flowers, watch the trees sway in the breeze, and listen for the bluebird. Will it sing for you? Find out as you play these hands. And who knows? If you play your cards right, you might win a valuable prize.*

*Prizes include bird-feeder kits and a lifetime supply of birdseed. Winners must be at least 18 years
of age and a medically certified birdbrain. Employees of PavCo Aviary Rentals are ineligible.

Problem 1

IMPs	A Q 3			West	North	East	South
N-S vul	J 9 7 3			LHO	Partner	RHO	You
	Q 2						1
	Q J 10 9			Pass	1	Pass	3
				Pass	4	Pass	4
Lead: 3		East plays J		Pass	5 NT1	Pass	6
				All Pass
	5			1. pick a slam
	A Q
	A K 7 6 5 4
6 South	A K 5 4

After winning the Q, what next?

A. Win A, ruff spade high, Q, ruff spade high
B. Win A, ruff spade high, Q, lead 2
C. Lead 3 and finesse the queen
D. Lead the 2
E. Win Q, lead 2
F. Win Q-J, lead 2

Problem 2

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

After winning the A, what next?

A. Ruff a club, lead a diamond
B. Win A, ruff a club, lead a diamond
C. Win A-K, ruff a club, lead a diamond
D. Win A-K, ruff a club, cash A
E. Win A-K, lead a heart and finesse the nine
F. Draw trumps, lead Q and let it ride

Problem 3

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

Your play?

A. Discard a spade from dummy
B. Ruff high, lead 3
C. Ruff high, cash K, lead 3
D. Ruff high, cash K, lead 3
E. Ruff high, win Q, lead 5
F. Ruff low, cash A, lead 2

Problem 4

Matchpoints	A K 2			West	North	East	South
N-S vul	A Q 5 4 3			LHO	Partner	RHO	You
	10 7 4 3 2						1
	—			2 1	3	4 NT	5
				Pass	6	Pass	Pass
Lead: 7				Pass
				1. Michaels (hearts + minor)
	Q J 10 9 8
	K 2
	A J
6 South	Q 5 3 2

Your play?

A. Discard a heart from dummy
B. Ruff high, win K, ruff club high
C. Ruff high, lead 2 to ace, lead J
D. Ruff high, lead 2 and finesse jack
E. Ruff low, lead 2 to ace, ruff club, lead 3
F. Ruff low, lead 2 and finesse jack

Note: No honor drops if you win the A.

Problem 5

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

After winning the A, what next?

A. Win K, lead 2
B. Win K, cash A-K
C. Lead 10 and let it ride
D. Lead 3 and finesse the jack
E. Lead 3 and finesse the nine
F. Lead 10 and let it ride

Problem 6

IMPs	A K 9			West	North	East	South
None vul	3			LHO	Partner	RHO	You
	Q 6 5 4						1
	K 9 8 7 4			Pass	1 NT1	Pass	3
				Pass	4	Pass	4
Lead: 6				Pass	4 NT	Pass	5
				Pass	5	Pass	5
				Pass	7	All Pass
	J
	A K Q 8 2			1. forcing
	A 8 2
7 South	A Q 6 5

Your play?

A. Duck spade lead to the jack
B. Win A, ruff a spade
C. Win A-K (pitch diamond), ruff a spade
D. Win A, A, ruff heart with 9
E. Win A, cash K
F. Win A, lead 9 to the ace

 Click to see how you did

Challenge 7V25 Main Analyses

Scores Top When the Bluebird Sings

© 2001 Richard Pavlicek