A Gem-Rich Zoo in Zambia

Your search for precious gems brings you to a wild game preserve in Africa. While you’re here, try this bidding challenge based on six problems from a past tournament. When and where? That’s my little secret, but don’t let that bother you. All you have to do is choose your call as South from the choices offered.

In July 2002 these problems were presented as a poll, with 875 entrants from 108 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 to look for gems? Then get out your shovel and start digging.

But whatever you do: Don’t pet the animals!

Problem 1

IMPs		None vul		You, South, hold:
West Pass	North 2 1	East Pass	South ?	A K Q J 9 6 2 K Q 10 9 7 4
1. weak			Your call? Pass 2 NT* 3  3 NT 4  5

*only force

Problem 2

IMPs		E-W vul		You, South, hold:
West Pass	North 3 NT1	East Pass Pass	South 1 ?	A K Q J 5 4 2 4 2 6 5 6 2
1. 17-18 balanced			Your call? Pass 4  4 NT 5  5 NT 6  6 NT

Problem 3

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

Problem 4

IMPs		N-S vul		You, South, hold:
West 2 1	North Dbl	East Pass	South Pass ?	5 2 K 7 5 4 3 K J 8 7 Q 7
1. 10-15, 5+ hearts, 4+ clubs			Your call? Pass 2 NT 3  3 NT 4

Problem 5

IMPs		N-S vul		You, South, hold:
West 2 1	North 3	East 4	South 1 ?	6 4 A K 6 3 2 J 3 A K J 8
1. weak			Your call? Pass Dbl 4 NT 5  5  5 NT

Problem 6

IMPs		N-S vul		You, South, hold:
West Pass Pass	North Pass 1	East 1 Pass	South Dbl ?	A Q 3 6 5 A K J 5 4 2 A Q
			Your call? 2  2  2  3  3

 Click to see how you did

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© 2002 Richard Pavlicek