Challenge 7W65 Main Analyses

Long Research in Pairs

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 (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.

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

Problem 1

IMPs		None vul		You, South, hold:

`West` Pass 1	`North` Pass 1	`East` 1 Pass	`South` Pass ?	K 5 4 2 A K J Q J 9 4 6 3

			Your call? 2 2 2 2 NT 3 3 NT 4

Problem 2

IMPs		Both vul		You, South, hold:

West	North 3	East Dbl	South ?	A 10 3 A J 6 4 6 A 8 7 6 4

			Your call? Pass Rdbl 3 NT 4 4 NT* 5 6

*regular Blackwood

Problem 3

IMPs		N-S vul		You, South, hold:

`West` Pass	North 1 NT	`East` Pass Pass	South 1 ?	9 A K 6 A K 10 9 8 2 K 8 7

			Your call? 2 2 2 NT 3 3 3 NT 4 *

*Gerber

Problem 4

IMPs		Both vul		You, South, hold:

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

			Your call? 3 3 3 3 NT 4 5

Problem 5

IMPs		E-W vul		You, South, hold:

West	`North` 1	East Dbl	`South` ?	K 5 2 — K 7 5 3 2 Q 8 7 5 3

			Your call? Rdbl 2 2 2 2 NT* 3 ** 4

*4-card limit raise **weak

Problem 6

IMPs		Both vul		You, South, hold:

West Pass 2	North 2 3	East Dbl 3	South 1 Pass ?	A Q 10 3 2 A 9 6 2 K 9 J 3

			Your call? Pass Dbl 3 3 NT 4 4 5

Click to see how you did

Challenge 7W65 Main Analyses Scores Top Long Research in Pairs