Big Brother Is Watching

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. The object is to determine the best calls 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

IMPs		N-S vul		You, South, hold:
West Dbl	North Pass	East 2	South 1 ?	Q 10 7 5 2 A K Q J 9 2 4 10
			Your call? Pass Dbl 2  2  3  3  4

Problem 2

IMPs		E-W vul		You, South, hold:
West Pass Pass Pass	North 1 3 1 4	East Pass Pass Pass	South 1 2 3 ?	J 10 2 A J 4 2 K Q J 5 4 A
1. 10+ game force			Your call? Pass 4  4 NT 5  5  5  5 NT

Problem 3

IMPs		None vul		You, South, hold:
West Pass Pass	North 1 2	East Pass Pass	South 1 NT ?	4 A 7 5 A J 8 6 4 3 8 7 5
			Your call? Pass 2 NT 3  3  3 NT 4 * 4

*diamonds + heart fit

Problem 4

IMPs		None vul		You, South, hold:
West	North Pass	East 1	South ?	— Q J 6 2 Q J 9 7 6 5 4 A 6
			Your call? 1  1  2  2 NT* 3  4  5

*hearts + diamonds

Problem 5

IMPs		Both vul		Critique this bidding disaster:
West 1 1 3 4 4 5	North Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass	East 1 2 1 3 4 5 5	South Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass	K Q 10 6 J K 7 5 K 9 7 5 4		A J 5 3 A 10 J 8 6 4 A 10 2
1. artificial game force			Worst E-W bid? 1  1  3  4  4  5  5

Problem 6

IMPs		N-S vul		You, South, hold:
West 1 4	North 1 Pass	East 2 1 Pass	South 3 ?	A 10 5 4 J 9 6 3 A Q 9 6 4
1. weak			Your call and opening lead?	A. Pass, lead A B. Pass, lead 4 C. Pass, lead 3 D. Pass, lead A E.  Double, lead A F.  Double, lead 4 G. Double, lead 3 H. Double, lead A

 Click to see how you did

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© 2003 Richard Pavlicek