United State Wins Swiss

Swiss team events began in the late ‘60s (at least in the United States), and I still remember my first, finishing average with four wins and four losses. But wait! I would avenge that mediocre start by winning my next, going 8-0 with my future wife and best man (Jim Beery) on the team. Ahh, the good old days! But I digress.

I invite you to try these six problems from a past tournament. Perhaps my clues will help you guess the venue, but don’t worry about that. As South, simply select your call.

In March 2006 these problems were presented as a poll, with 1580 entrants from 124 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.

Now it’s your turn to avenge the past. Try to make some good bids for a change.

Problem 1

IMPs		Both vul		You, South, hold:
West	North	East 1	South ?	K Q 10 4 K Q J 8 5 3 2 9 8
			Your call? P X 1  1  2 (Michaels)

Problem 2

IMPs		N-S vul		You, South, hold:
West Pass	North 2	East Pass	South 1 ?	A Q J 7 6 K 4 2 A K 8 5 2
			Your call? 2  2 * 2 NT 3  3 NT

*6+ cards or five w/4 honors

Problem 3

IMPs		Both vul		You, South, hold:
West Pass	North 2	East 2	South ?	Q 9 7 4 K Q 10 8 7 6 K 4 A
			Your call? P X 2 NT (only force) 3  3  3 NT

Problem 4

IMPs		Both vul		You, South, hold:
West Pass	North 1 3 NT	East 2 Pass	South 3 ?	Q A K Q J 10 3 A Q 9 5 J 9
			Your call? 4  4  4  4  4 NT 6  6 NT

Problem 5

IMPs		N-S vul		You, South, hold:
West Pass Pass	North Pass 1	East Pass Pass	South ? ?	A Q A 10 8 3 2 A Q 10 4 K 9
			Opening bid and rebid if 1 ?	A. 1 then 2 B. 1 then 2 NT C. 1 then 3 D. 1 then 3 NT E. 2 NT

Problem 6

IMPs		None vul		You, South, hold:
West 6	North 4 Pass	East 5 Pass	South ? ?	Q 7 6 2 8 Q 10 7 5 2 K 7 5
			Your call or calls?	A. Pass then Pass B. Pass then 6 C. 5 then Pass D. 5 then 6 E. 6 immediately

 Click to see how you did

Challenge 8W73 Main Analyses

Scores Top United State Wins Swiss

© 2006 Richard Pavlicek