When the Chips Are Down

Spin the wheel! Come on, seven! It’s a natural! See how well you play the odds on this bidding challenge based on six problems from a past tournament. When and where? That’s my little secret for now, though you are welcome to guess from the clues; but don’t worry about that. Just choose your call as South from the choices offered.

In September 2001 these problems were presented as a poll, with 577 entrants from 102 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. The object is to determine the best calls based on judgment,
so only basic conventions are allowed. For a system reference, see Standard American Bridge.

It’s time to place your bets! Get the chips on the table, and you might break the bank.

Problem 1

IMPs		E-W vul		You, South, hold:
West Pass Pass	North Pass 1	East 1 Pass	South Dbl ?	K J 10 6 A K 5 A 9 2 A J 4
			Your call? 1 NT 2  2  2 NT 3

Problem 2

IMPs		E-W vul		You, South, hold:
West 1	North 1	East Pass 1	South Pass ?	J 7 5 J 7 6 5 2 Q 10 7 5 2 —
			Your call? Pass 2  3  4  5  TB*

*tactical bid (any but heart raise)

Problem 3

IMPs		E-W vul		You, South, hold:
West Pass	North 1 3	East Pass Pass	South 2 ?	A 7 5 K 10 5 3 2 A J 6 K 7
			Your call? 3  3 NT 4  4  4  4  4 NT

Problem 4

IMPs		Both vul		You, South, hold:
West	North	East 1 1	South ?	A J K J 7 6 2 K Q 5 3 J 2
1. often four cards			Your call? Pass Dbl 1 NT 2

Problem 5

IMPs		E-W vul		You, South, hold:
West Pass	North 1 3	East Pass Pass	South 3 ?	A K 9 7 4 K Q 2 A Q 9 7 5
			Your call? 4  4  4  4 NT 5

Problem 6

IMPs		None vul		You, South, hold:
West	North	East 1	South ?	— A K Q 10 7 4 2 K Q 8 7 3 4
			Your call? Pass Dbl 2  2 * 4  5  6

*strong

 Click to see how you did

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© 2001 Richard Pavlicek