Challenge 8X81 Main Analyses

Slick Willy and Monique

by Richard Pavlicek

Having retired from politics, Willy Clipton moved back to his home state — and where else but Hot Springs with his mistress Monique Wewinsky in tow. There he bought fancy villa, where they play money bridge almost every day. Despite a well-oiled partnership, they pretend to be newly acquainted to hustle unsuspecting tourists into set games.

When questioned about this, Willy is smooth and cunning. His Arkansas smile relaxes everyone, as he renders jazzy arpeggios on the sax. If pressed further he will swear, “I have never played bridge with that woman, Miss Wewinsky.” This usually satisfies his victims, and the fleecing begins.

Now it’s your turn to play some bridge against the insidious pair. Hold on to your wallet, and don’t be distracted by Monique’s hanky-panky. During the bidding her toes will be on Willy’s lap, and when she becomes dummy, she will loosen her blouse to try to throw off your defense.

Whether by fate or salacious design, Willy becomes declarer on the first six deals. As West, you have made your opening lead and either win that trick or regain the lead at trick two. Select your next lead from the options listed. Each option will be rated on a 1-to-10 scale per my judgment.

Bidding is standard (except as noted) and you use standard leads and signals.
For a reference see Standard American Bridge. Assume all players are experts.

In June 2006 these six problems were presented as a contest with 952 entrants from 111 locations. The contest is closed, but you can still quiz yourself and find your score immediately. If you’re lucky, you might even win a valuable prize.*

*Prizes include a two-week stay at the Hot Springs Arlington Resort with a private masseuse. Winners must be at least 10 years
beyond puberty and still virgins. Employees of PavCo Escort Scams are ineligible. Void where prohibited by law or not.

Are you ready to defend? Slick Willy didn’t get his nickname for nothing, so watch out.

Problem 1

Chicago Scoring None Vul	A 8 3 K Q 3 A J 10 4 A J 4		You `West` 1 All Pass	Monique `NORTH` 1 2 ¹	`East` Pass Pass	Willy `South` 1 3 NT
K Q 10 4 2 9 8 5 7 2 K 10 5		3 NT South

Trick
1 W Lead
K 2nd
3 3rd
6 4th
J 1. shows the A

Your next lead? 10 4 9 7 K 10

Problem 2

Chicago Scoring E-W Vul	K 3 10 5 4 3 K J 8 7 Q J 2		You West Pass Pass	Monique `North` 2 4	EAST Pass Pass All Pass	Willy `South` 1 NT 2
J 10 8 5 8 7 A 6 3 2 10 9 3		4 South

Trick
1 W
2 E Lead
J
4 2nd
K
9 3rd
A
10 4th
6
3

Your next lead? 5 7 A 2 10 3

Problem 3

Chicago Scoring N-S Vul	7 6 4 10 5 Q 5 3 A Q 7 6 4		You `West` Pass Pass	Monique North 2 NT 4	`East` Pass All Pass	Willy SOUTH 1 NT 3
K 8 2 Q J 9 8 J 8 4 K J 8		4 South

Trick
1 W Lead
Q 2nd
5 3rd
6 4th
7

Your next lead? 2 J J 4 K J

Problem 4

Chicago Scoring Both Vul	K 5 2 K J 7 6 5 Q 10 6 9 2		You WEST Pass Pass Pass	Monique North Pass 2 ¹ 3 NT	East 1 Pass All Pass	Willy South 1 NT 2
9 8 6 3 10 9 8 4 J 8 5 K Q		3 NT South

Trick
1 W
2 E Lead
K
10 2nd
2
6 3rd
A
Q 4th
3
9 1. Jacoby transfer

Your next lead? 9 3 10 4 J 5

Problem 5

Chicago Scoring None Vul	K J 5 2 K 7 Q 8 2 A Q 7 6		You `West` 3 All Pass	Monique `North` 4 ²	`EAST` 1 Pass	Willy `South` 2 ¹ 4
9 7 6 4 K J 10 3 J 9 8 5 3		4 South

Trick
1 W Lead
J 2nd
2 3rd
4 4th
9 1. Michaels
2. Arkansas transfer

Your next lead? 7 4 K 3 J 5

Problem 6

Chicago Scoring N-S Vul	A 4 A 5 8 5 3 2 A 10 8 4 2		You `West` Dbl Pass Pass All Pass	Monique North Rdbl 4 5	`East` 2 ¹ Pass Pass	Willy SOUTH 1 4 5 6
K J 6 5 2 Q J 7 4 K Q 9 7		6 South

Trick
1 W Lead
K 2nd
2 3rd
3 4th
6 1. weak

Your next lead? K 5 2 Q J 7

Click to see how you did

Challenge 8X81 Main Analyses Scores Top Slick Willy and Monique