Challenge 7V57 MainAnalyses


Do You Hear What I Hear?


Scores by Richard Pavlicek

“Said the night wind to the little lamb.”

Listen carefully for a message in the air to help solve these defensive problems. Do you hear what I hear? Sharpen your senses, tune out the background noise and let the night wind be your mentor. All lambs, er, bridge players are invited to try this challenge.

On each of the six problems choose your next lead as West or East from the choices given. Each option is rated on a 1-to-10 scale based on my judgment.

In December of 2001 these problems were presented as a contest, which had 522 entrants from 89 locations. The contest is now closed, but you can still challenge yourself and find your score immediately.

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

The night wind is calling. Are you listening? Be a good shepherd boy and pay attention, as the answer is usually nearby if you see it — or hear it — and don’t expect any sheepish plays be declarer. If you do well, the Mighty King may award you a valuable prize.*

*Prizes include a Lamborghini Countach and four bottles of Lambrusco wine. Winners must be at least
18 years of age and have ovine genealogy. Employees of PavCo Lambskin Wear are ineligible.

Problem 1

Matchpoints
None Vul
S A K 7 3
H Q J 4
D K 3 2
C 9 6 4
You
West

Pass
Pass
 
North

1 S
4 H
 
East

Pass
All Pass
 
SOUTH
1 H
2 H
S Q 10 5
H 10 8 2
D Q J 9
C A J 7 3
Table4 H South

Trick
1 W
Lead
D Q
2nd
2
3rd
4
4th
8

Your next lead? SHDDCC 3

Problem 2

IMPs
Both Vul
S A Q 9
H A J 7
D K 6 5 3
C 6 5 3
You
West

Dbl
Pass
 
North

2 NT
4 S
 
East

Pass
All Pass
 
SOUTH
2 S
3 D1
S
H K 10 8 4
D Q 10 9 7
C A K 10 8 2
Table4 S South

Trick
1 W
Lead
C K
2nd
3
3rd
Q
4th
4
1. feature

Your next lead? HH 10  HD 10  CC 8

Problem 3

Matchpoints
None Vul
S 3
H 9 2
D A K 9 5 2
C A 10 8 6 3
You
West

Pass
Pass
Pass
All Pass
 
North

2 D
3 C
3 NT
 
East

Pass
Pass
Pass
 
SOUTH
1 S
2 NT1
3 H
6 NT
S 10 6 4
H Q 7 5 3
D Q 10 8
C Q J 5
Table6 NT South

Trick
1 W
2 S
3 S
Lead
H 3
C K
C 2
2nd
9
5
J
3rd
10
3
6
4th
A
9
4
1. 12-14 or 18-19

Your next lead? S 10  HHDDC Q

Problem 4

IMPs
N-S Vul
S 10 8 5 2
H J 6 3
D A J 10 6
C 8 2
 
West

Pass
Pass
 
North

1 S
3 NT
You
EAST
Pass
Pass
All Pass
 
South
1 D
2 NT
3 NT SouthTable S J 9 7 3
H 10 2
D K 5 2
C Q 9 6 4

Trick
1 W
2 S
3 N
Lead
H 4
D 4
D 10
2nd
3
7
K
3rd
10
J
8
4th
Q
2
Q

Your next lead? SHDCCC 4

Problem 5

Matchpoints
Both Vul
S A K 10 9 5
H J 10
D A 3
C A J 6 3
 
West

Pass
 
North

4 H
You
East

All Pass
 
SOUTH
2 H
4 H SouthTable S Q J 7 6 3 2
H A 5
D Q J
C K 10 4

Trick
1 W
2 N
Lead
S 8
D 3
2nd
A
Q
3rd
3
4
4th
4
2

Your next lead? SSHHDC 4

Problem 6

IMPs
E-W Vul
S K Q 9 8
H K Q
D 10 9 4
C Q 10 9 2
 
West

Pass
Pass
 
North

2 C
3 NT
You
East

Pass
All Pass
 
SOUTH
1 NT1
2 H
3 NT SouthTable S 6 4 2
H 10 8 7 4
D A K 8 5
C K J

Trick
1 W
Lead
C 5
2nd
2
3rd
J
4th
3
1. 12-14

Your next lead? SHHDDC K

 Click to see how you did

Challenge 7V57 MainAnalysesScoresTop Do You Hear What I Hear?

Credits to Noel Regney and Gloria Shayne, composers of Do You Hear What I Hear?
© 2001 Richard Pavlicek