Counselor for the Defense

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 (unless 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	10 8 4		West	North	East	South
E-W vul	Q 8 2		You	Dummy	Partner	Declarer
	A Q J 5				Pass	1 NT
	Q 8 2		Pass	3 NT	Pass	Pass
J 9 7 6			Pass
A J 9 7
9 3
10 9 4		3 NT South

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

Your next lead?  7  A  J  7  9  10

Problem 2

IMPs	A Q J 10 3		West	North	East	South
Both vul	A 2		You	Dummy	Partner	Declarer
	10 6			1	Pass	1 NT
	A K 5 3		Pass	3	Pass	3 NT
4 2			Pass	Pass	Pass
Q 10 4
A J 5 4 3
Q 10 6		3 NT South

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

Your next lead?  4  Q  10  4  J  5

Problem 3

Matchpoints	A Q 3		West	North	East	South
N-S vul	A 3 2		You	Dummy	Partner	Declarer
	K 5 3			1	Pass	1
	10 8 4 3		Pass	1 NT	Pass	3
10 6 2			Pass	3	Pass	4
9 7			Pass	Pass	Pass
A 9 6
A K 7 6 5		4 South

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

Your next lead?  2  9  A  6  A  5

Problem 4

IMPs	K Q 5 4		West	North	East	South
None vul	7 6 4		Partner	Dummy	You	Declarer
	Q J 8			Pass	1	2
	Q J 4		Dbl1	2 NT	3	3
		J 10 9 7 3	Pass	Pass	Pass
Lead: 8		A K
		7 6	1. negative (both minors)
3 South		K 10 8 2

Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
1. W	8	4	3	A
2. S	Q	2	4	K

Your next lead?  J  7  A  7  K  2

Problem 5

Matchpoints	10 4 3		West	North	East	South
Both vul	3		Partner	Dummy	You	Declarer
	A Q J 8 7 5 4					1
	K 4		Pass	2	Pass	2
		8 5	Pass	2	Pass	4
Lead: J		Q 8 4 2	Pass	Pass	Pass
		K 10 3
4 South		Q 8 7 6

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

Your next lead?  5  Q  2  10  3  6

Problem 6

Matchpoints	K 8 4		West	North	East	South
E-W vul	3 2		Partner	Dummy	You	Declarer
	A K 9 7					1 NT
	K Q 10 8		Pass	2 1	Pass	3
		J 9 7	Pass	4 NT	Pass	6 NT
Lead: J		6 4	Pass	Pass	Pass
		J 10 8 2
6 NT South		A 6 5 4	1. artificial (both minors)

Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
1. W	J	2	4	K
2. S	7	3	K	6
3. N	Q	4	J	2
4. N	8	A	9	2

Your next lead?  J  9  7  6  10  5

 Click to see how you did

Challenge 7V17 Main Analyses

Scores Top Counselor for the Defense

© 2001 Richard Pavlicek