Challenge 7W81 Main Analyses

The Netherland Showdown

by Richard Pavlicek

Are you ready to rumble? The match is about to begin, but don’t expect any windmills or wooden shoes. Try this bidding challenge based on six problems from a past tournament. When and where is my little secret for now. Just choose your call as South from the choices offered.

In May 2002 these problems were presented as a poll, with 844 entrants from 103 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.

There’s no backing out now! You’re in for the showdown!

Grab a Dutch clover for luck, and take your best shots.

Problem 1

Total points		E-W vul		You, South, hold:

West Pass Pass	`North` 2 3 4	East Pass Pass Pass	`South` 2 4 ?	K Q 10 7 4 10 6 5 3 — K Q J 2

			Your call? 4 4 NT* 5 5 5 NT 6

*regular Blackwood

Problem 2

Total points		Both vul		You, South, hold:

West 1	North Pass	East Pass 2	South 1 ?	A 8 A K Q J 7 2 9 7 3 K 3

			Your call? Dbl 2 2 NT 3 3 NT 4

Problem 3

Total points		Both vul		You, South, hold:

West Pass Pass	North Pass 2 3	East Pass Pass Pass	South 1 2 ¹ ?	A K 10 9 3 A K J Q 8 8 5 2

1. Dubious but live with it			Your call? Pass 3 3 3 NT 4 5

Problem 4

Total points		E-W vul		You, South, hold:

West 1	`North` Pass Dbl	East Pass 1	`South` Pass ?	Q 9 7 5 4 3 Q 8 6 3 — J 10 3

			Your call? Pass 1 2 3 4 TB*

*tactical bid (any but spades)

Problem 5

Total points		N-S vul		You, South, hold:

`West` 1	North 1	`East` 1	South ?	A K 8 6 5 2 Q 10 9 5 4 2 K —

			Your call? Pass 2 2 4 4 NT 5 6

Problem 6

Total points		N-S vul		You, South, hold:

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

			Your two calls?	A. Dbl then 2 B. Dbl then 3 C. Dbl then 3 D. 1 then Dbl E. 1 then 3 F. 1 then 3

Click to see how you did

Challenge 7W81 Main Analyses Scores Top The Netherland Showdown