Challenge 7Y01 Main Analyses

Island of the Dinosaurs

by Richard Pavlicek

Warning: You are about to embark on a Jurassic journey. All bridge players are invited to try this bidding challenge based on six problems from a past tournament. When and where? That’s my little secret, but you can be sure it was a long time ago. All you have to do is choose your call as South from the choices offered.

In September 2002 these problems were presented as a poll, with 900 entrants from 105 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.

Please be careful, as your safety cannot be assured. [Thump] Did you hear something?
[Thump, thump] If it keeps getting louder, run like hell.

Problem 1

Rubber Bridge		None Vul		You, South, hold:

`West` Pass Pass	`North` 3 4	`EAST` Pass Pass Pass	`South` 1 4 ?	A 7 4 A Q 10 6 5 10 9 8 4 3

			Your call? P 4 4 NT 5 5 5

Problem 2

Rubber Bridge		Both Vul		You, South, hold:

WEST Pass	North 1 NT	East Pass	South ?	J 9 3 Q 9 8 7 K 9 8 4 3 2

			Your call? P 2 2 NT 3 (sign-off) 3 NT

Problem 3

Rubber Bridge		Both Vul		You, South, hold:

West Pass Pass	NORTH Pass¹ 1 3	East Pass Pass Pass	South 1 2 ?	A Q 10 3 A A Q 9 7 A 7 5 2

1. Partner does not play weak two-bids.			Your call? 3 NT 4 4 4 NT 5

Problem 4

Rubber Bridge		Both Vul		You, South, hold:

West Pass	NORTH 1 3	East Pass Pass	South 1 ?	J 10 9 3 J 8 K 8 4 A 5 3 2

			Your call? P 3 3 NT 4 4 5

Problem 5

Rubber Bridge		None Vul		You, South, hold:

`West` Pass	`North` 2 NT¹	`EAST` Pass Pass	`South` 1 ?	K Q J 10 8 A K 7 5 Q A 9 2

1. 13-15 balanced			Your call? 3 3 3 4 (Gerber) 4 NT

Problem 6

Rubber Bridge		None Vul			You, South, hold:

`West` Pass	`North` 2	`East` Pass	`SOUTH` 1 ?		K Q 7 6 7 5 4 10 4 A Q 8 7

		Your call and opinion?		A. 2 , agree with 1 B. 2 , would not open C. 2 NT, agree with 1 D. 2 NT, would not open E. 3 , agree with 1 F. 3 , would not open

Click to see how you did

Challenge 7Y01 Main Analyses Scores Top Island of the Dinosaurs