Challenge 7W57 Main Analyses

Down by the Riverside

by Richard Pavlicek

Lay down your sword and shield! Take off your traveling shoes and try this bidding challenge based on six problems from a past tournament. When and where? That’s for me to know and for you to find out, though you are welcome to guess from the clues; but don’t let that bother you. Just choose your call as South from the choices offered.

In November 2001 these problems were presented as a poll, with 714 entrants from 98 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. Object is to find the best call based on judgment so only basic conventions are allowed. For a system reference, see Standard American Bridge.

Are you ready? Then take off your socks, go down to the levee, and get your feet wet!

Problem 1

IMPs		N-S Vul		You, South, hold:

`West` 2 ¹	NORTH Pass 4	`East` Pass 4	South 1 ?	A K 5 A J 10 9 8 9 K Q 9 7

1. weak			Your call? P X 4 NT 5 5

Problem 2

IMPs		N-S Vul		You, South, hold:

`WEST` 1	North 1	`East` 2 ¹	South ?	A K 4 2 K J 9 9 8 7 7 5 4

1. weak			Your call? P X (penalty) 2 2 NT 3 3 3

Problem 3

IMPs		None Vul		You, South, hold:

`West` 3	`North` Dbl	`East` 5	`SOUTH` Pass ?	Q 9 8 6 4 K Q 10 7 6 5 3 5

			Your call? P X 5 5 5 NT 6

Problem 4

IMPs		None Vul		You, South, hold:

`West` Pass	`North` 1	`EAST` Pass Pass	`South` 1 ?	A 6 5 4 2 K J A K Q J 7 6

			Your call? 2 2 NT 3 3 3 NT 4 4

Problem 5

IMPs		E-W Vul		You, South, hold:

West	`North`	East	`SOUTH` ?	Q 9 4 3 A Q 9 8 7 6 2 10 8 —

			Your call? P 1 2 3 4

Problem 6

IMPs		N-S Vul		You, South, hold:

`West` 3 ²	North Dbl	`EAST` 1 ¹ Pass	South Pass ?	A 9 3 2 5 3 2 9 4 A J 6 3

1. often 4 cards 2. limit raise			Your call? P 3 NT 4 4 5

Click to see how you did

Challenge 7W57 Main Analyses Scores Top Down by the Riverside