Slammin’ Sammy Goes Deep

Where can you find grand slams, doubles, squeeze plays and sacrifices? In bridge, of course, and in baseball as well. These games share a number of common terms and analogies. On each of these six problems, Slammin’ Sammy (no offense, Mr. Sosa) has overbid to a slam, or if you prefer, has hit a deep fly ball. Will you catch it? Or will it clear the fence for a home run? All the balls can be caught! That is, each slam can be defeated.

This is a defensive-play challenge for all bridge players. You are the left fielder (West) on the first three problems and the right fielder (East) on the last three. All you have to do is choose your lead at trick two from the options given. Each option is rated on a 1-to-10 scale, based on my judgment.

Bidding is Standard American (except as noted) and you use standard leads and signals. For a reference on these agreements, see my outline of Standard American Bridge. Assume all players are experts.

*Prizes include six outfielder’s mitts, personally autographed by Sammy Sosa (or Sammy Pavlicek) and a bronzed batting helmet. Winners must meet eligibility requirements of at least 18 years of age. Employees and non-employees of PavCo Sports Memorabilia are ineligible.

Problem 1

You
West Pass All Pass	North 1 NT 4	East Pass Pass	South 4 * 6

*Gerber

6 by South

	A K 4 K 10 8 6 Q 8 7 5 K 3
Q 9 8 Q J 9 7 2 Q 9 8 6 5

You lead the  Q (dummy plays low), partner plays the five and South the three.

Your next lead:    Q    9    7    2    9    6

Problem 2

You
West Pass Pass	North 1 NT 2 4	East Pass Pass Pass	South 2 * 3 6

*Jacoby transfer

6 by South

	Q 2 K Q J A K 5 4 Q 8 6 3
J 10 9 5 4 3 Q 8 7 A K 9 2

You lead the  K, partner plays the seven and South the 10.

Your next lead:    10    3    Q    8    A    2

Problem 3

You
West Pass Pass	North 3 * 5	East Pass Pass Pass	South 1 4 NT 6

*limit raise

6 by South

	Q 10 9 6 6 J 10 9 7 6 A 10 2
4 3 10 4 3 2 A K Q 5 J 9 7

You lead the  K, partner plays the three and South the two.

Your next lead:    3    10    4    A    J    9

Problem 4

		You
West Pass All Pass	North Pass 2 NT	East Pass Pass	South 1 6

6 by South

	K 9 6 J 10 9 K J 5 4 K 10 3
		Q 10 8 5 4 A 5 3 2 3 Q 9 4

Partner leads the  6, you win the ace, and South plays the king.

Your next lead:    10    5    2    3    Q    4

Problem 5

		You
West 2 Pass Pass	North 3 5 6	East 4 Pass All Pass	South 1 5 5

6 by South

	3 9 6 4 2 A 10 8 3 2 K 8 4
		A 9 5 2 10 3 J 9 7 4 Q 9 7

Partner leads the  J, you win the ace, and South plays the queen.

Your next lead:    2    3    4    Q    9    7

Problem 6

		You
West Pass Pass All Pass	North Pass 3 5	East Pass Pass Dbl	South 1 4 NT 6

6 by South

	A J 3 K 10 2 8 6 5 3 K 5 4
		8 5 4 J 9 7 4 A K 7 2 10 3

Partner leads the  J, you win the king, and South plays the queen.

Your next lead:    5    4    A    2    10    3

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