Challenge 7Y57 MainAnalyses


Big Brother Is Watching


Scores by Richard Pavlicek

Will the Ministry of Truth be impressed with your bidding? Find out in this bidding challenge on six problems from a past tournament. When and where? Sorry, my lips are sealed, though you’re invited to guess from the clues. But don’t worry about that; just select your call as South from the choices offered.

In November 2003 these problems were presented as a poll, with 1149 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.

Are you ready? Then start bidding, or I may have to call the Thought Police.
If you get stumped, repeat after me, 100 times: Down with Big Brother!

Problem 1

IMPsN-S VulYou, South, hold:
 
West

Dbl
North

Pass
East

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

Problem 2

IMPsE-W VulYou, South, hold:
 
West

Pass
Pass
Pass
North

1 S
3 D1
4 H
East

Pass
Pass
Pass
SOUTH
1 D
2 H
3 S
?
S J 10 2
H A J 4 2
D K Q J 5 4
C A
 
1. 10+ game forceYour call? 4 S  4 NT  5 C  5 D  5 S  5 NT

Problem 3

IMPsNone VulYou, South, hold:
 
WEST
Pass
Pass
North
1 S
2 H
East
Pass
Pass
South
1 NT
?
S 4
H A 7 5
D A J 8 6 4 3
C 8 7 5
 
Your call? 2 NT  3 D  3 H  3 NT  4 D4 H

*diamonds + heart fit

Problem 4

IMPsNone VulYou, South, hold:
 
West
NORTH
Pass
East
1 C
South
?
S
H Q J 6 2
D Q J 9 7 6 5 4
C A 6
 
Your call? 1 D  1 H  2 D  2 NT*  3 D  4 D  5 D

*hearts + diamonds

Problem 5

IMPsBoth VulCritique this bidding disaster by East-West:
 
WEST
1 C
1 S
3 C
4 D
4 S
5 H
North
Pass
Pass
Pass
Pass
Pass
Pass
East
1 D
2 H1
3 S
4 H
5 C
5 S
South
Pass
Pass
Pass
Pass
Pass

S K Q 10 6
H J
D K 7 5
C K 9 7 5 4

Table

S A J 5 3
H A 10
D J 8 6 4
C A 10 2
 
1. artificial game forceWorst E-W bid? 1 C  1 D  3 C  4 D  4 H  5 C  5 H

Problem 6

IMPsN-S VulYou, South, hold:
 
WEST
1 C
4 H
North
1 D
Pass
East
2 H1
Pass
South
3 C
?
S A 10
H 5 4
D J 9 6 3
C A Q 9 6 4
 
1. weakYour call and lead? A. Pass, lead S A
B. Pass, lead H 4
C. Pass, lead D 3
D. Pass, lead C A
E. Double, lead S A
F. Double, lead H 4
G. Double, lead D 3
H. Double, lead C A

 Click to see how you did

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© 2003 Richard Pavlicek