I Walk the Line

Hello, I’m Johnny Cash

No, wait! I’m Richard, but I do have a guitar case full of cash (thanks Matilda).

When I was young I remember my Father listening to the title song on the car radio. I thought it was cool despite being baffled by some of the lyrics. Does “I keep the ends out for the tie that binds” mean he sticks out his butt cheeks when his necktie is tight? Whatever! I’ve been a devout fan ever since.

In memory of the 10-time Grammy winning “Man in Black,” you have been dealt 10 black cards on each of these problems and become declarer in a black suit contract. Aggressive bidding may have driven you overboard, so be prepared to walk the line. And keep your eyes wide open all the time, or you’ll be down as sure as night is dark and day is light.

As South, choose your play from Options A-F listed. Each option will be 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 experts.

In July 2007 these six problems were presented as a contest with 690 entrants from 110 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 are all cash. You bring the truck, and I’ll fill it! I have billions to unload before it burns, burns, burns in a ring of fire.
Winners must be at least 18 years of age. Void where prohibited by law or where such prohibitions do not exist.

You’ve got a way to keep me on your side… For you I know I’d even try to turn the tide…

Are you ready? Then walk the line!

Problem 1

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

After winning the A, what next?

A. Win K (pitch spade), ruff heart
B. Win K (pitch spade), run 10
C. Win K (pitch diamond), ruff heart
D. Win K (pitch diamond), run 10
E. Ruff heart, lead Q
F. Ruff heart, lead 3

Problem 2

IMPs	A 5 2			West	North	East	South
E-W vul	A 5 4 3			LHO	Partner	RHO	You
	4 3 2			2	Pass	Pass	2
	J 6 3			Pass	3	Pass	4
				Pass	Pass	Pass
Lead: K		East wins A (overtakes)
	K Q J 10 6
	2
	6 5
4 South	A K 7 4 2

East returns the 7 to the eight, then West leads the J (East pitches the 8) and you ruff. Next?

A. Win K, A
B. Win K, Q
C. Win K, A, A
D. Win K, A, A
E. Win A, A
F. Win A, A

Problem 3

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

West next wins the A (East plays 10) then leads the 3, won in dummy (East plays 7). Next?

A. Draw trumps
B. Ruff heart (high), draw trumps
C. Ruff heart (high), finesse J
D. Ruff heart (low), finesse J
E. Win A, finesse J
F. Lead the J

Problem 4

IMPs	3 2			West	North	East	South
N-S vul	9 8 3			LHO	Partner	RHO	You
	A Q 10 6				Pass	1	1
	K 10 9 8			2	Dbl1	3 2	5
				Pass	Pass	Pass
Lead: 4		East wins A
				1. responsive
				2. obstructive
	A K 7 6 5 4
	5
	5 4
5 South	A Q J 2

East returns the 7. Your play?

A. Pitch a diamond
B. Ruff (high), win A, 10
C. Ruff (high), win 10, ruff heart
D. Ruff (high), win 10, Q
E. Ruff (low), finesse Q
F. Ruff (low), finesse 10

Problem 5

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

West next wins the A (East plays 6) then shifts to the J. Your play?

A. Win K, A
B. Win K, ruff Q, win A
C. Win K, ruff Q, finesse J
D. Win K, ruff Q, win A
E. Win Q, A
F. Win Q, finesse J

Problem 6

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

So much for walkin’. This time you ran the line. How do you justify such optimism?

A. Win A, A, lead J to queen
B. Win A, A, lead 7 to queen
C. Win A, A, lead 6
D. Win A, A, ruff club
E. Play the J
F. Play the 8

 Click to see how you did

Challenge 8Y49 Main Analyses

Scores Top I Walk the Line

Acknowledgments to Johnny Cash (1932-2003) and “I Walk the Line”
© 2007 Richard Pavlicek