Challenge 7Y49 MainAnalyses


Crossroads of Eternal Hope


Scores by Richard Pavlicek

Could there be any hope left in your game? Find out now with this bidding challenge based on six problems from a past tournament. When and where? You’re welcome to guess, but don’t worry about that. All you have to do is choose your call as South from the choices offered.

In September 2003 these problems were presented as a poll, with 1117 entrants from 116 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.

You’ve reached the crossroads, so start bidding!

Problem 1

IMPsBoth VulYou, South, hold:
 
West

Pass
Pass
North

1 S
3 D
East

Pass
Pass
SOUTH
Pass
1 NT
?
S 10 7
H K 9 8 4
D A Q J 2
C 5 4 2
 
Your call? 3 H  3 S  3 NT  4 D  4 NT  5 D  6 D

Problem 2

IMPsN-S VulYou, South, hold:
 
West

1 S
Dbl
North

2 C
Pass
EAST
Pass
2 D
Pass
South
Pass
3 D
?
S J 5
H A K 5
D Q 8 4
C J 10 5 3 2
 
Your call? 3 H  3 S  3 NT  4 C  5 C

Problem 3

IMPsNone VulYou, South, hold:
 
West

1 S2
North

Dbl
EAST
Pass
2 S
South
Pass1
?
S J 8 2
H 10
D A 10 9 8 7 2
C A 5 2
 
1. You do not play weak 2 D
2. 4+ cards
Your call? X (responsive)  2 NT  3 D  3 S  3 NT  4 D  5 D

Problem 4

IMPsE-W VulYou, South, hold:
 
WEST
2 H
Pass
North
Pass
4 D
East
Pass
Pass
South
Dbl
?
S K Q J 7
H A K 6
D A
C J 7 5 4 3
 
Your call? 4 H  4 S  4 NT  5 C  5 D

Problem 5

IMPsN-S VulYou, South, hold:
 
West

Pass
Pass
North

2 S
3 S
EAST
1 H1
Pass
Pass
South
2 C
3 D
?
S
H A K 6
D A K J 7
C Q 7 6 5 4 3
 
1. 4+ cardsYour call? 3 NT  4 C  4 D  4 H  4 S

Problem 6

IMPsBoth VulYou, South, hold:
 
West

1 D
Pass
Pass
North

1 H
2 D
3 NT
East

Pass
Pass
Pass
SOUTH
1 C
2 C
3 D
Pass
S 8 6
H
D A 9 6 2
C A K 10 9 8 4 2
 
Your opinion of South’s calls? A. Agree with all
B. Dislike 1 C most
C. Dislike 2 C most
D. Dislike 3 D most
E. Dislike Pass most

 Click to see how you did

Challenge 7Y49 MainAnalysesScoresTop Crossroads of Eternal Hope

© 2003 Richard Pavlicek