Challenge 7V73 Main Analyses

Keep the Ship Afloat

by Richard Pavlicek

Much of the battle in the card play as declarer is to keep your ship afloat. Defenders are like icebergs lurking in the night; if you don’t stay alert, they’ll rock your keel and deep-six the contract. One can only wonder that if contract bridge had been invented 90 years ago, history might have been rewritten on that fateful night in April. Are you ready to play bridge? Or shall we just save time and man the lifeboats?

In April of 2002 these problems were presented as a contest open to all bridge players. There were 687 participants from 101 locations. The contest is now closed, but you can still challenge yourself and find your score immediately.

As South on each of the six problems, choose your play from options A-F. Each option is rated on a 1-to-10 scale per my judgment.

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

Take over the helm for some rough waters ahead. If you make it back to port, you’re a hero, but that’s only the tip of the iceberg. Proceed full steam ahead, and you might win a valuable prize.*

*Prizes include a completely restored 23-foot propeller blade and a barnacled keg of 96-year-old Champagne.
Winners must be at least 18 years of age and a descendant of an RMS Titanic passenger (First Class only).
Employees of PavCo Maritime Salvage are ineligible.

Problem 1

IMPs N-S Vul	6 5 K J 8 A Q J 10 4 Q J 4		`West` Pass Pass	North 1 3 NT	`East` Pass All Pass	SOUTH 1 1 NT
Lead: K		East plays 10
3 NT South	A 4 2 A Q 8 5 3 K 8 6 5 3

Your play?
A. Win first spade, lead 3 to queen
B. Win first spade, lead 3 to jack
C. Win second spade, lead 3 to queen
D. Win second spade, lead 3 to jack
E. Win third spade, lead 3 to queen
F. Win third spade, lead 3 to jack

Note: If you duck the first trick, West leads the Q and East plays the 3.

Problem 2

IMPs E-W Vul	K 10 9 2 Q 6 3 2 A K Q J K		West Pass All Pass	`NORTH` 1 3	East Pass Pass	`South` 1 4
Lead: Q		East wins A
4 South	5 4 A K 5 4 8 7 5 9 4 3 2

East returns the 6, you play low, West the 8, and you ruff in dummy. What next?
A. Lead the K
B. Lead the 10
C. Win K, lead spade to king
D. Win K, lead spade to 10
E. Win Q, K, lead spade to king
F. Win Q, K, lead spade to 10

Problem 3

Matchpoints None Vul	6 4 3 A 7 6 4 A K Q J 5 4		`West` Pass Pass All Pass	`NORTH` 1 1 NT 3	`East` Pass Pass Pass	`South` 1 2 4
Lead: Q		East plays 2
4 South	A 8 7 5 2 K 3 10 7 6 4 2 6

OK, so you bid a lot. Now shut up and select your play:
A. Win A, A-K, duck a trump
B. Win A, A-K, lead the Q
C. Win A, lead the 4
D. Win K, duck a trump
E. Win K, A, ruff a heart
F. Win K, lead club to queen

Problem 4

IMPs Both Vul	K J 7 3 J 3 2 Q J 10 2 7 6		West 3 All Pass	North Dbl	East 5	SOUTH 1 5
Lead: A		East plays 5
5 South	A 9 4 A 10 4 A K 8 7 6 5 4 —

You ruff and lead a diamond to the queen, both following. What next?
A. Win K, A
B. Ruff club, win K, A
C. Ruff club, win K, lead spade to nine
D. Ruff club, lead spade to jack
E. Ruff club, lead spade to seven
F. Ruff club, win J, lead spade to nine

Problem 5

Matchpoints N-S Vul	10 3 2 A 6 3 Q 7 3 J 6 4 3		`WEST` 1 2 Pass Dbl	North Pass Pass 4 All Pass	`East` 1 2 5	South Dbl 3 5
Lead: K		East plays 4
5 × South	A K Q J 8 6 4 10 4 2 — K Q 2

You ruff and cash the A; West plays the 5 and East the 9. What next?
A. Win K, lead the 2
B. Win K, lead the K
C. Win 10, lead the 3
D. Win 10, lead 3 to king
E. Lead the 2
F. Lead the K

Problem 6

IMPs Both Vul	A 4 2 A Q J 10 A 5 4 2 J 3		West Pass Pass	North 1 6 NT	East Pass All Pass	SOUTH 1 2 NT
Lead: 9		East plays 3
6 NT South	K J 5 K K Q 7 3 A K 9 7 4

Your play?
A. Win A-Q-J-10, K, Q
B. Win A, lead J and let it ride
C. Win A, lead 3 to nine
D. Win K, K, A
E. Win K, K, Q
F. Win K, lead 4 to jack

Click to see how you did

Challenge 7V73 Main Analyses Scores Top Keep the Ship Afloat