Challenge 8W57 MainAnalyses


Fair Winds on the Plate


Scores by Richard Pavlicek

Being an expert on splinter bids and a seasoned hurricane veteran, I was hired by the National Weather Service to conduct wind tests during Hurricane Wilma. Specifically, I was to find the exact wind velocity required to break 1/4 inch plate glass. Argh! A flying two-by-four broke it before I could measure anything, and broke my anemometer as well. Still, my report of “pretty fair winds” provides valuable data. Thanks to my research, homeowners now know to stand clear of plate-glass windows during a storm.

These six bidding problems are from a past tournament. Perhaps my clues will help you guess the year and location, but don’t worry about that. As South, simply select your call.

In November 2005 these problems were presented as a poll, with 1491 entrants from 126 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.

Now it’s your turn to step up to the plate and test the winds.

Make your best call, and you can trust that my scoring will be fair — yeah, and some people will believe anything.

Problem 1

IMPsE-W VulYou, South, hold:
 
West
North
East
SOUTH
?
S K 10 7 4
H K J 10 7 6 4 3
D J 7
C
 
Your call? 1 H  2 H  3 H  4 H

Problem 2

IMPsE-W VulYou, South, hold:
 
West

Pass
NORTH
Pass
1 S
East
1 D
Pass
South
1 H
?
S A Q
H K 9 7 5 2
D 7 2
C A Q 6 4
 
Your call? 2 C  2 D  2 H  2 S  3 C

Problem 3

IMPsE-W VulYou, South, hold:
 
WEST
1 S
North
2 D
East
4 S
South
?
S 8
H A 9 7 6 2
D J 7
C K Q 9 7 6
 
Your call? 4 NT (takeout)  5 C  5 D

Problem 4

IMPsNone VulYou, South, hold:
 
WEST
Pass
Pass
Pass
North
1 D
2 D
3 NT
East
Pass
Pass
Pass
South
1 S
3 C
?
S A K J 8 7 6
H 10
D 10 6
C A K 7 4
 
Your call? 4 C  4 D  4 H  4 S  5 D

Problem 5

IMPsBoth VulYou, South, hold:
 
West

Pass
North

1 H
EAST
1 D
Pass
South
Dbl
?
S Q 5 4
H A K 4
D A 6
C A 10 7 4 3
 
Your call? 1 NT  2 C  2 D  2 H

Problem 6

IMPsNone VulYou, South, hold:
 
WEST
1 S
2 S
North
Pass
Pass
East
1 NT
Pass
South
?
?
S 4
H K 8 3
D Q J 6 4
C A K Q J 5
 
Your two calls? A. Pass, Double
B. Pass, 3 C
C. Double, Pass
D. Double, Double
E. Double, 3 C
F. 2 C, Pass
G. 2 C, Double

 Click to see how you did

Challenge 8W57 MainAnalysesScoresTop Fair Winds on the Plate

© 2005 Richard Pavlicek