Do You Hear What I Hear?

“Said the night wind to the little lamb.”

Listen carefully for a message in the air to help solve these defensive problems. Do you hear what I hear? Sharpen your senses, tune out the background noise and let the night wind be your mentor. All lambs, er, bridge players are invited to try this challenge.

On each of the six problems choose your next lead as West or East from the choices given. Each option is rated on a 1-to-10 scale based on my judgment.

In December of 2001 these problems were presented as a contest, which had 522 entrants from 89 locations. The contest is now closed, but you can still challenge yourself and find your score immediately.

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

The night wind is calling. Are you listening? Be a good shepherd boy and pay attention, as the answer is usually nearby if you see it — or hear it — and don’t expect any sheepish plays be declarer. If you do well, the Mighty King may award you a valuable prize.*

*Prizes include a Lamborghini Countach and four bottles of Lambrusco wine. Winners must be at least
18 years of age and have ovine genealogy. Employees of PavCo Lambskin Wear are ineligible.

Problem 1

Matchpoints	A K 7 3		West	North	East	South
None vul	Q J 4		You	Dummy	Partner	Declarer
	K 3 2					1
	9 6 4		Pass	1	Pass	2
Q 10 5			Pass	4	Pass	Pass
10 8 2			Pass
Q J 9
A J 7 3		4 South

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

Your next lead?  5  2  J  9  A  3

Problem 2

IMPs	A Q 9		West	North	East	South
Both vul	A J 7		You	Dummy	Partner	Declarer
	K 6 5 3					2
	6 5 3		Dbl	2 NT	Pass	3 1
—			Pass	4	Pass	Pass
K 10 8 4			Pass
Q 10 9 7
A K 10 8 2		4 South	1. feature

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

Your next lead?  K  10  4  10  A  8

Problem 3

Matchpoints	3		West	North	East	South
None vul	9 2		You	Dummy	Partner	Declarer
	A K 9 5 2					1
	A 10 8 6 3		Pass	2	Pass	2 NT1
10 6 4			Pass	3	Pass	3
Q 7 5 3			Pass	3 NT	Pass	6 NT
Q 10 8			All Pass
Q J 5		6 NT South
			1. 12-14 or 18-19

Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
1. W	3	9	10	A
2. S	K	5	3	9
3. S	2	J	6	4

Your next lead?  10  Q  5  Q  8  Q

Problem 4

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

Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
1. W	4	3	10	Q
2. S	4	7	J	2
3. N	10	K	8	Q

Your next lead?  3  2  5  Q  9  4

Problem 5

Matchpoints	A K 10 9 5		West	North	East	South
Both vul	J 10		Partner	Dummy	You	Declarer
	A 3					2
	A J 6 3		Pass	4	Pass	Pass
		Q J 7 6 3 2	Pass
Lead: 8		A 5
		Q J
4 South		K 10 4

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

Your next lead?  7  2  A  5  J  4

Problem 6

IMPs	K Q 9 8		West	North	East	South
E-W vul	K Q		Partner	Dummy	You	Declarer
	10 9 4					1 NT1
	Q 10 9 2		Pass	2	Pass	2
		6 4 2	Pass	3 NT	Pass	Pass
Lead: 5		10 8 7 4	Pass
		A K 8 5
3 NT South		K J	1. 12-14

Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
1. W	5	2	J	3

Your next lead?  6  8  4  K  5  K

 Click to see how you did

Challenge 7V57 Main Analyses

Scores Top Do You Hear What I Hear?

Credits to Noel Regney and Gloria Shayne, composers of Do You Hear What I Hear?
© 2001 Richard Pavlicek