Challenge 7Y09 Main Analyses

Stanwyck Role and Sixty

by Richard Pavlicek

Fasten your seat belt for a wild ride! 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 don’t let that worry you. All you have to do is choose your call as South from the choices offered.

In November 2002 these problems were presented as a poll, with 939 entrants from 110 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.

Turbulence ahead! Do not enter if you have heart problems — or spade problems, for that matter.

Problem 1

IMPs		E-W Vul		You, South, hold:

West 1	`NORTH` Pass Pass	East Pass 2	`South` 1 ?	A J 3 2 J 6 A K Q 8 6 3 2 —

			Your call? 2 2 NT 3 3 3 NT 4 5

Problem 2

IMPs		E-W Vul		You, South, hold:

West 1 3	`North` 3 ¹ Pass	East Pass Pass	`SOUTH` 1 3 ?	9 7 5 A K J 8 A K 5 2 A 10

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

Problem 3

IMPs		N-S Vul		You, South, hold:

`West` Pass	NORTH Pass 1	`East` Pass 2	South 1 ?	Q J 10 A Q J 10 6 A J 10 5 4 —

			Your call? X (support) 2 2 3 3 3 4

Problem 4

IMPs		E-W Vul		You, South, hold:

West 2	`North` 2	EAST Pass Pass	`South` Pass ?	Q 9 J 9 7 10 7 4 A Q 6 5 3

			Your call? P 2 NT 3 3 3

Problem 5

IMPs		Both Vul		You, South, hold:

West Pass	NORTH Pass Dbl	East 1 Pass	South Pass ?	K Q 8 3 A J 8 2 Q 5 J 10 7

			Your call? P 1 NT 2 2 2 NT 3 3 NT

Problem 6

IMPs		E-W Vul			You, South, hold:

West Pass	`North` 1	EAST Pass Pass	`South` ? ?		5 3 A K J 8 K 10 9 7 2 8 7

		Your two calls?		A. Pass, 1 NT B. Pass, 2 C. 1 , 1 NT D. 1 , 2 E. 1 , 1 NT F. 1 , 2

Click to see how you did

Challenge 7Y09 Main Analyses Scores Top Stanwyck Role and Sixty