Challenge 7X17 Main Analyses

Have Cards, Will Double

by Richard Pavlicek

Thursday 10 pm: I was scoring up the previous play contest when the doorbell rang. “Western Union!” screamed the young man. A telegram is rare these days, so I opened it with fear and trepidation:

Need assistance in high stakes game [stop]
Regular partner afraid to double [stop]
Losing money to weaker players [stop]
Cost no object. Name your own fee! [stop]
-Walter Weston, San Francisco

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

Monday 9 am: Paladin reported good progress over the weekend and faxed me six defensive problems — all doubled contracts — which I present here as a challenge to other players. As East you must choose your next lead from the choices offered. Each option is scored on a 1-to-10 scale per my judgment.

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 (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 and a Double Eagle coin. Winners must be at least 18 years of age.
Void where prohibited by law and where such prohibitions do not exist.

Problem 1

Total Points Both Vul	J 2 A 8 6 5 4 2 4 3 K J 7		West Dbl	North Pass	You EAST Pass Pass	South 2 Pass
2 × South		K 10 9 8 5 7 K 10 6 2 A 8 3

Trick
1 W Lead
10 2nd
J 3rd
A 4th
2

Your next lead? K 5 7 2 8 3

Problem 2

Total Points N-S Vul	A J 10 A Q 5 4 3 2 A 8 3 J		`West` Pass Pass	NORTH 1 2 NT Pass	You `East` Pass Pass Dbl	South 1 NT 3 NT All Pass
3 NT× South		K 8 5 J 10 9 8 6 Q 9 7 A 7

Trick
1 W Lead
4 2nd
10 3rd
K 4th
2

Your next lead? 8 J Q 9 A 7

Problem 3

Total Points Both Vul	8 6 5 4 3 10 9 2 5 A 7 4 2		West Dbl Pass	NORTH Pass 2 Pass	You East 1 3 NT Dbl	South 1 4 All Pass
4 × South		10 2 Q J 8 A K Q 10 9 7 K J

Trick
1 W Lead
2 2nd
5 3rd
Q 4th
3

Your next lead? 10 2 Q 8 K K

Problem 4

Total Points E-W Vul	A K 2 9 8 3 Q A K Q J 5 4		West Pass	`NORTH` 1 4	You East Dbl Dbl	`South` 2 ¹ All Pass
4 × South		Q 7 5 3 A Q J 6 A K J 4 9

Trick
1 W Lead
3 2nd
Q 3rd
K 4th
5 1. weak

Your next lead? 3 A Q 6 A 9

Problem 5

Total Points None Vul	K 10 7 6 K J 5 4 4 3 A 9 3		`West` Pass Pass Pass	`North` 1 4 NT Pass	You `East` Pass Pass Dbl	`SOUTH` 1 3 NT 6 All Pass
6 × South		Q J 3 A Q 10 8 2 6 Q 10 8 2

Trick
1 W Lead
6 2nd
4 3rd
10 4th
3

Your next lead? J A 6 Q 10 2

Problem 6

Total Points E-W Vul	9 8 3 2 2 A K 7 6 5 3 J 3		West Pass Pass Pass	`North` 2 2 NT Pass	You East Pass Pass Dbl	`SOUTH` 1 NT 2 3 NT All Pass
3 NT× South		A K J 7 6 8 7 6 Q 4 K 10 8

Trick
1 W
2 S Lead
5
Q 2nd
2
2 3rd
6
3 4th
10
K

What is your defensive plan?
A. Win all your spades
B. Win two more spades
C. Win J, lead the 8
D. Win J, lead the Q
E. Lead the 8
F. Lead the Q

Click to see how you did

Challenge 7X17 Main Analyses Scores Top Have Cards, Will Double