As the summer lingers on, a spell of listlessness occurs for most people. Call it the blues, or doldrums, or dog days — the feeling is hard to explain, but it’s there. And so it happens in bridge: We all go through occasional spells of bad luck and bad cards.
Guess what? Now it’s your turn to hold the tram tickets. On each of these problems your hand is a real dog, yet fate has made you declarer. Fortunately, partner is a card rack, so the contracts are sound.
In August 2001 these problems were presented as a contest, which had 327 entrants from 83 locations. The contest is now closed, but you can still challenge yourself and find your score immediately. As South on each problem, just choose your play from options A-F. Each option is rated on a 1-to-10 scale based on my judgment.
Bidding is Standard American (except as noted) and your opponents use standard leads and signals. For a reference on these agreements, see my dogma on Standard American Bridge. Assume all players are experts.
*Prizes include biscuits and flea collars. Winners must meet all eligibility requirements: (1) family Canidae, (2) house trained and (3) at least one year of obedience school. Employees of PavCo Kennels and their immediate family are ineligible.
3 NT by South
At trick two West leads the J, you win the king and East plays the seven. Your play?
4 by South
After winning the K, how do you play?
At trick two East leads the 2 and it goes to dummy’s jack (West plays 3). Your play?
5 by South
After winning the A, how do you play?
6 by South
Your play? (Enemy trumps split 2-2.)
To see your score, click this button:
Copyright © 2001 Richard Pavlicek. All rights reserved.
Challenge 7V41 by Richard Pavlicek
Challenge 7V41 by Richard Pavlicek