Challenge 7V17 MainAnalyses


Counselor for the Defense


Scores by Richard Pavlicek

Hear ye! Hear ye!

Court is now in session, with the honorable Frito Ito presiding. “Is the Counselor for the defense ready to proceed?”

“Yes, Your Honor. First I’d like to place these defensive problems into evidence as Exhibits 1-6.”

“So done. Hand them to the Bailiff, then continue.”

“The prosecution has tried to prove my client guilty of illicit communication, but I will show that his plays are legitimate and without malice. He is not a charlatan but a highly skilled card player. As my first witness I call Zia Goren. [Zia Goren takes the stand.]

“Mr. Goren, as a bridge expert, how would you describe my client’s defense on Problem 1?”

“Based on odd-even carding and reverse Lavinthal,” Goren elaborates, “I gauge the defendant’s Smith echo to show either non-touching club honors or a McKenney for hearts.”

“I see, very technical. For the benefit of the jury, could you please put that in layman’s terms?”

“Sure… He cheats.”

This is a defensive-play challenge for all bridge players. On each of the six problems South is declarer. As West or East, choose your next lead from the options listed. Each option is rated on a 1-to-10 scale based on 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 February 2001 these problems were presented as a contest, which had 204 entrants from 68 locations. The contest is now closed, but you can still challenge yourself and find your score immediately. If you pass the bar exam, you might even win a valuable prize.*

*Prizes include free legal counsel for a year and five lost episodes of Perry Mason.
Winners must be at most 18 years of age and have a Law degree. Attorneys at PavCo and Sheister are ineligible.

Problem 1

Matchpoints
E-W Vul
S 10 8 4
H Q 8 2
D A Q J 5
C Q 8 2
You
West

Pass
 
North

3 NT
 
EAST
Pass
All Pass
 
South
1 NT
S J 9 7 6
H A J 9 7
D 9 3
C 10 9 4
Table3 NT South

Trick
1 W
2 S
Lead
S 6
S 2
2nd
8
J
3rd
K
4
4th
A
3

Your next lead? SHHHDC 10

Problem 2

IMPs
Both Vul
S A Q J 10 3
H A 2
D 10 6
C A K 5 3
You
West

Pass
All Pass
 
NORTH
1 S
3 C
 
East
Pass
Pass
 
South
1 NT
3 NT
S 4 2
H Q 10 4
D A J 5 4 3
C Q 10 6
Table3 NT South

Trick
1 W
2 E
Lead
D 4
D 2
2nd
6
Q
3rd
K
A
4th
8
10

Your next lead? SHH 10  HDD 5

Problem 3

Matchpoints
N-S Vul
S A Q 3
H A 3 2
D K 5 3
C 10 8 4 3
You
West

Pass
Pass
All Pass
 
NORTH
1 C
1 NT
3 S
 
East
Pass
Pass
Pass
 
South
1 S
3 H
4 S
S 10 6 2
H 9 7
D A 9 6
C A K 7 6 5
Table4 S South

Trick
1 W
Lead
C K
2nd
3
3rd
2
4th
Q

Your next lead? SHDDCC 5

Problem 4

IMPs
None Vul
S K Q 5 4
H 7 6 4
D Q J 8
C Q J 4
 
West

Dbl1
All Pass
 
NORTH
Pass
2 NT
You
East
1 S
3 C
 
South
2 H
3 H
3 H SouthTable S J 10 9 7 3
H A K
D 7 6
C K 10 8 2

Trick
1 W
2 S
Lead
S 8
H Q
2nd
4
2
3rd
3
4
4th
A
K
1. negative (both minors)

Your next lead? SSHDCC 2

Problem 5

Matchpoints
Both Vul
S 10 4 3
H 3
D A Q J 8 7 5 4
C K 4
 
West

Pass
Pass
All Pass
 
North

2 D
2 S
You
East

Pass
Pass
 
SOUTH
1 S
2 H
4 S
4 S SouthTable S 8 5
H Q 8 4 2
D K 10 3
C Q 8 7 6

Trick
1 W
2 S
Lead
C J
D 9
2nd
4
2
3rd
8
Q
4th
A
K

Your next lead? SHHD 10  DC 6

Problem 6

Matchpoints
E-W Vul
S K 8 4
H 3 2
D A K 9 7
C K Q 10 8
 
West

Pass
Pass
All Pass
 
North

2 S1
4 NT
You
East

Pass
Pass
 
SOUTH
1 NT
3 H
6 NT
6 NT SouthTable S J 9 7
H 6 4
D J 10 8 2
C A 6 5 4

Trick
1 W
2 S
3 N
4 N
Lead
H J
C 7
C Q
C 8
2nd
2
3
4
A
3rd
4
K
J
9
4th
K
6
2
S 2
1. artificial (both minors)

Your next lead? SSSHD 10  C 5

 Click to see how you did

Challenge 7V17 MainAnalysesScoresTop Counselor for the Defense

© 2001 Richard Pavlicek