Challenge 7W65 MainAnalyses


Long Research in Pairs


Scores by Richard Pavlicek

After many years of studying hand records from duplicate games, you finally discovered this page. Now you can test yourself with 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 January 2002 these problems were presented as a poll, with 767 entrants from 101 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 (except as noted) 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.

Are you ready? Then bid ‘em up! But please: Try not to make any Mickey Mouse bids.

Problem 1

IMPsNone VulYou, South, hold:
 
WEST
Pass
1 H
North
Pass
1 S
East
1 D
Pass
South
Pass
?
S K 5 4 2
H A K J
D Q J 9 4
C 6 3
 
Your call? 2 D  2 H  2 S  2 NT  3 S  3 NT  4 S

Problem 2

IMPsBoth VulYou, South, hold:
 
West
NORTH
3 C
East
Dbl
South
?
S A 10 3
H A J 6 4
D 6
C A 8 7 6 4
 
Your call? 3 NT  4 C  4 NT (regular BW)  5 C  6 C

Problem 3

IMPsN-S VulYou, South, hold:
 
West

Pass
North

1 NT
EAST
Pass
Pass
South
1 D
?
S 9
H A K 6
D A K 10 9 8 2
C K 8 7
 
Your call? 2 C  2 H  2 NT  3 C  3 D  3 NT  4 C*

*Gerber

Problem 4

IMPsBoth VulYou, South, hold:
 
WEST
Pass
Pass
North
1 H
3 C
East
Pass
Pass
South
2 C
?
S Q 8
H A 8
D J 10 6
C K Q 5 4 3 2
 
Your call? 3 D  3 H  3 S  3 NT  4 C  5 C

Problem 5

IMPsE-W VulYou, South, hold:
 
West
NORTH
1 S
East
Dbl
South
?
S K 5 2
H
D K 7 5 3 2
C Q 8 7 5 3
 
Your call? 2 D  2 H  2 S  2 NT*  3 S (weak)  4 S

*4-card limit raise

Problem 6

IMPsBoth VulYou, South, hold:
 
West

Pass
2 H
North

2 D
3 D
East

Dbl
3 H
SOUTH
1 S
Pass
?
S A Q 10 3 2
H A 9 6 2
D K 9
C J 3
 
Your call? 3 S  3 NT  4 D  4 H  5 D

 Click to see how you did

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© 2002 Richard Pavlicek