Challenge 7W09 Main Analyses

Start Spreadin’ the News

by Richard Pavlicek

The year was 1980. “Ol’ Blue Eyes” had just recorded his truly unforgettable rendition of “New York, New York,” and this writer had just recorded these six truly forgettable problems. They appeared in the July 1980 Gold Coast Bridge News as a bidding panel, of which I was the moderator. Challenge yourself by choosing your call as South from the choices offered.

In November 2000 these problems were presented as a poll, with 202 entrants from 68 locations.
The poll is closed, but you can still try it as a quiz and find your score immediately.

Assume both sides use Standard American bidding (unless noted otherwise) with 15-17 notrumps, five-card majors and weak two-bids. Object is to find the best call based on judgment so only basic conventions are allowed. For a system reference, see Standard American Bridge.

Well, are your vagabond shoes longing to stray? Then be a part of it! Make a brand new start of it!

Problem 1

IMPs		None Vul		You, South, hold:

`West` Pass	`NORTH` 1 3	`East` Pass Pass	`South` 1 NT ?	— 7 6 4 3 A J 7 5 A 9 8 3 2

			Your call? P 3 NT 4 4

Problem 2

Matchpoints		N-S Vul		You, South, hold:

`West` Pass Pass	North 2 3	`East` Pass Pass	SOUTH 1 2 ?	A K Q 7 3 A 8 5 2 5 3 Q 2

			Your call? 3 3 NT 4 4 NT 6

Problem 3

Matchpoints		Both Vul		You, South, hold:

West 1	North Pass	East 2	SOUTH 1 ?	A K 9 5 3 A K J 9 8 7 4 3

			Your call? X 2 2 2 3

Problem 4

IMPs		N-S Vul		You, South, hold:

`WEST` 2 ¹	North 4	`East` 6	South ?	K 3 A 10 4 10 6 5 3 Q J 8 2

1. weak two-bid			Your call? P X 6 NT 7

Problem 5

IMPs		N-S Vul		You, South, hold:

`West` 1	North Dbl	`EAST` Pass Rdbl	South Pass ?	6 5 A 8 4 K 10 5 3 Q J 4 2

			Your call? P 2 2 2

Problem 6

Matchpoints		None Vul		You, South, hold:

`West` Pass	`North` 1	`East` Pass	`SOUTH` 1 ?	5 A Q 3 K 5 A K J 9 8 7 6

			Your call? 2 2 2 NT 3 3 NT

Click to see how you did

Challenge 7W09 Main Analyses Scores Top Start Spreadin’ the News