Challenge 7X17 by Richard Pavlicek

Have Cards, Will Double

Thursday 9:42 AM. I was scoring up the previous play contest when the doorbell rang. “Western Union!” shouted a young man. It’s rare to get a telegram these days, so I opened it with fear and trepidation. It read:

Need your immediate assistance in high stakes bridge game [stop] Regular partner afraid to double [stop] Losing to weaker players [stop] Name your own fee [stop] Walter Weston, San Francisco.

I was too busy to take the case myself, but fortunately my brother Paladin (famous for his hair-trigger doubles) was available, so I rushed him to the airport to catch the 12:30 flight to San Francisco.

Monday 1:35 PM. Paladin reported he had made good progress and faxed me six defensive play problems — all doubled contracts — which I present here as a challenge for other players. You are East on each problem and must choose your next lead from the choices offered. Each option is scored on a 1-to-10 scale, based on my judgment.

Bidding is Standard American, 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 (despite the telegram).

In February 2003 these problems were presented as a contest, which had 776 entrants from 103 locations. The contest is now closed, but you can still challenge yourself and find your score immediately. If you’re lucky, you might even win a valuable prize*, but be sure to double check your answers, as I might be a double-dealing double-crosser.

*Prizes include a double-action Colt .45 revolver and a Double Eagle gold coin. Winners must be at least 18 years of age. Prizes are void where prohibited by law and in all other places, too.