Challenge 7W33 MainAnalyses


Catch a Falling Star


Scores by Richard Pavlicek

Love may come and tap you on the shoulder, some starless night! But first, try this bidding challenge based on six problems from a past tournament. When and where? That’s for me to know and for you to find out, but the artist who sang the title song is a clue. Never mind about that. Just choose your call as South from the choices offered.

In May 2001 these problems were presented as a poll, with 519 entrants from 96 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.

The quiz is waiting! Never let it fade away — or if you prefer — save it for a rainy day.

Problem 1

IMPsBoth VulYou, South, hold:
 
WEST
Pass
Pass
Pass
North
1 D
2 NT1
3 S
East
Pass
Pass
Pass
South
1 S
3 D
?
S Q J 7 5
H A 8 5
D K J 5 2
C 8 6
 
1. 19-20 HCPYour call? 3 NT  4 D  4 H  4 S  4 NT  5 D

Problem 2

IMPsE-W VulYou, South, hold:
 
West

Pass
Pass
NORTH
1 C
2 D
3 H
East
Pass
Pass
Pass
South
1 S
2 H
?
S A J 10 9 7
H A 8 7 5 2
D 10 5
C 4
 
Your call? 3 S  3 NT  4 C  4 H  4 NT  5 H

Problem 3

IMPsNone VulYou, South, hold:
 
WEST
Pass
North
Pass
East
3 S
South
?
S A
H A K J
D 4 3
C A K Q 10 9 7 3
 
Your call? 3 NT  4 C  4 S  4 NT  5 C  6 C

Problem 4

IMPsN-S VulYou, South, hold:
 
West
North
EAST
2 H1
South
?
S A K J 10 8 5
H J
D Q 10 6 4 3 2
C
 
1. weakYour call? 2 S  3 D  3 H (Michaels)  3 S  4 S

Problem 5

IMPsN-S VulYou, South, hold:
 
West

Pass
Pass
North

1 H
3 D
EAST
Pass
Pass
Pass
South
Pass
1 S
?
S Q J 8 7 3
H 10 2
D A Q 4
C 6 4 3
 
Your call? 3 H  3 S  4 C  4 D  4 H  5 D

Problem 6

IMPsE-W VulYou, South, hold:
 
West

4 H
NORTH
1 C
Pass
East
3 H
Pass
South
3 NT
?
S 10 9 6
H K 4
D Q J 10 7 6
C A K 7
 
Your call? 4 NT  5 C  5 D

 Click to see how you did

Challenge 7W33 MainAnalysesScoresTop Catch a Falling Star

Credits to Perry Como and songwriters Paul Vance and Lee Pockriss
© 2001 Richard Pavlicek