Challenge 7V89 Main Analyses

Slammin’ Sammy Goes Deep

by Richard Pavlicek

Where can you find grand slams, doubles, squeeze plays and sacrifices? In bridge, of course, and also in baseball. These two great games share a number of common terms and analogies.

This is a defensive-play challenge for all bridge players. On each of the six problems, Slammin’ Sammy has overbid to a slam (no offense, Mr. Sosa) — or if you prefer, Sammy has hit a deep fly ball. Will you catch it? Or will it clear the fence for a home run? All the balls can be caught!

You are the left fielder (West) on Problems 1-3, and the right fielder (East) on Problems 4-6. Choose your lead at trick two from the options given. Each option is rated on a 1-to-10 scale per 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 August 2002 these problems were presented as a contest, which had 638 entrants from 103 locations. The contest is now closed, but you can still challenge yourself and find your score immediately. If you’re a Golden Glover, you might even win a valuable prize!*

*Prizes include six outfielder’s mitts autographed by Sammy Sosa and a bronzed batting helmet. Winners must be at least 18
years of age and athletically well corked. Employees and non-employees of PavCo Sports Memorabilia are ineligible.

Batter up! Hey, batter, batter! The pitch is on the way… craaack! It’s a deep fly ball… You run back, back, back… to the warning track… to the fence… and leap with your glove in the air! Did you catch it?

Problem 1

Matchpoints None Vul	A K 4 K 10 8 6 Q 8 7 5 K 3		You `West` Pass All Pass	Dummy `NORTH` 1 NT 4	`East` Pass Pass	Sammy `South` 4 ¹ 6
Q 9 8 Q J 9 7 2 Q 9 8 6 5		6 South

Trick
1 W Lead
Q 2nd
6 3rd
5 4th
3 1. Gerber

Your next lead? Q 9 7 2 9 6

Problem 2

Matchpoints Both Vul	Q 2 K Q J A K 5 4 Q 8 6 3		You West Pass Pass All Pass	Dummy NORTH 1 NT 2 4	East Pass Pass Pass	Sammy South 2 ¹ 3 6
J 10 9 5 4 3 Q 8 7 A K 9 2		6 South

Trick
1 W Lead
K 2nd
3 3rd
7 4th
10 1. Jacoby transfer

Your next lead? 10 3 Q 8 A 2

Problem 3

Matchpoints E-W Vul	Q 10 9 6 6 J 10 9 7 6 A 10 2		You West Pass Pass All Pass	Dummy `North` 3 ¹ 5	EAST Pass Pass Pass	Sammy `South` 1 4 NT 6
4 3 10 4 3 2 A K Q 5 J 9 7		6 South

Trick
1 W Lead
K 2nd
6 3rd
3 4th
2 1. limit raise

Your next lead? 3 10 4 A J 9

Problem 4

Matchpoints N-S Vul	K 9 6 J 10 9 K J 5 4 K 10 3		`West` Pass All Pass	Dummy NORTH Pass 2 NT	You `East` Pass Pass	Sammy South 1 6
6 South		Q 10 8 5 4 A 5 3 2 3 Q 9 4

Trick
1 W Lead
6 2nd
9 3rd
A 4th
K

Your next lead? 10 5 2 3 Q 4

Problem 5

Matchpoints None Vul	3 9 6 4 2 A 10 8 3 2 K 8 4		`West` 2 Pass Pass	Dummy `North` 3 5 6	You `East` 4 Pass All Pass	Sammy `SOUTH` 1 5 5
6 South		A 9 5 2 10 3 J 9 7 4 Q 9 7

Trick
1 W Lead
J 2nd
3 3rd
A 4th
Q

Your next lead? 2 3 4 Q 9 7

Problem 6

Matchpoints Both Vul	A J 3 K 10 2 8 6 5 3 K 5 4		West Pass Pass All Pass	Dummy NORTH Pass 3 5	You East Pass Pass Dbl	Sammy South 1 4 NT 6
6 South		8 5 4 J 9 7 4 A K 7 2 10 3

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

Your next lead? 5 4 A 2 10 3

Click to see how you did

Challenge 7V89 Main Analyses Scores Top Slammin’ Sammy Goes Deep