Challenge 7W49 Main Analyses

When the Chips Are Down

by Richard Pavlicek

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. Object is to find the best call 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 Other (tactical bid)

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 Double 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 Double 2 2 (strong) 4 5 6

Click to see how you did

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