Distribution Most Foul

Bad breaks abound on these problems, but have no fear: Jane Marple is on the case! Your goal as her assistant is to cope with the foul distribution you will soon discover. Unfortunately, despite Miss Marple’s insistence, Scotland Yard won’t even acknowledge that a crime has been committed. So be careful! If you dig too deep, you might unearth a corpse or two.

I hope you’ve had your cup of tea, as sinister events are about to unfold. Inspector Craddock has reluctantly briefed you on the Yard’s investigation, which you believe is off target. You think the evildoings stem from a local theatrical troupe and decide to feign a bit of acting talent and work undercover. Good luck, brave soul!

As declarer on each of the six problems, all you have to do is choose your play from the options A-F. Each option is rated on a 1-to-10 scale per my judgment.

Bidding is standard (unless noted). Opponents use standard leads and signals. For a reference
see Standard American Bridge. Assume all players are strong but not necessarily expert.

In February 2004 these problems were presented as a contest with 838 entrants from 104 locations. Due to the importance of these cases, and February being a short month, I added a full extra day! Yes, it was my generosity that gave you February 29th this year. The contest is now closed, but you can still test your detective skills, and you might even win a valuable prize.*

*Prizes include five signed sets (authenticity certified) of the works of Agatha Christie. Winners must be at most 18 years of age
and a Knight (or Dame) Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire. Dames of PavCo Brothels are ineligible.

Problem 1

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

You win the K and lead the Q, on which West pitches the 7 and East ducks. What next?

A. Lead the 8
B. Win A, lead 3
C. Win A, lead 5
D. Win A, lead 3
E. Lead the Q
F. Lead 6 to the jack

Problem 2

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

You play low from dummy and capture East’s Q with your king. What next?

A. Lead the 5
B. Lead the J
C. Lead 3 to the queen
D. Lead 10 and duck it
E. Lead Q to the ace
F. Lead Q and duck it

Problem 3

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

Your play?

A. Win first diamond
B. Win second diamond, lead 2
C. Win second diamond, lead 10
D. Win third diamond, lead 2
E. Win third diamond, lead 10
F. Win fourth diamond

Problem 4

IMPs	K 10 3 2			West	North	East	South
N-S vul	10 4			LHO	Partner	RHO	You
	K Q 10 9					Pass	1
	A J 9			2 1	2 2	Pass	2 NT
				Pass	3 NT	Pass	Pass
Lead: 8				Pass
				1. Michaels
	A 8 5 4			2. diamond fit + spade stopper
	A 7 6 2
	A 8 5
3 NT South	7 6

You play dummy’s 10, and East plays the queen. Your play?

A. Win first heart, lead 4
B. Win first heart, lead 5
C. Win second heart, lead 5
D. Win second heart, lead 6
E. Win third heart, lead 5
F. Win third heart, lead 6

Problem 5

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

You duck, and West leads the 10 (East plays 7) to your ace. On the A, East pitches the 8. What next?

A. Win Q, lead 10
B. Win Q, lead 5
C. Win Q, A-K, lead 5
D. Lead the 10
E. Lead the 5
F. Win A-K, lead 5

Problem 6

IMPs	5 3			West	North	East	South
Both vul	A K			LHO	Partner	RHO	You
	A Q 9				1	5	5
	A K 7 6 4 3			Pass	5 NT1	Pass	6
				Dbl	Pass	Pass	Pass
Lead: Q
				1. pick a slam
	A K Q J 8 7
	6 4 2
	8 5
6 × South	5 2

You win the K, as East pitches the Q! You lead the 3, and East predictably chucks another heart. Your play?

A. Win A-K-Q-J, lead 8
B. Win A-K-Q-J, lead 2
C. Win A, lead 2
D. Win A, finesse Q
E. Win A, A, ruff a club
F. Duck first spade to West

 Click to see how you did

Challenge 7X65 Main Analyses

Scores Top Distribution Most Foul

Acknowledgments to Agatha Christie (1890-1976) and her Miss Marple character
Photos are Margaret Rutherford in Murder Most Foul (1964)
© 2004 Richard Pavlicek