Challenge 7W89 MainAnalyses


A Gem-Rich Zoo in Zambia


Scores by Richard Pavlicek

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. 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 to look for gems? Then get out your shovel and start digging.

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

Problem 1

IMPsNone VulYou, South, hold:
 
WEST
Pass
North
2 D1
East
Pass
South
?
S A K
H Q J 9 6
D 2
C K Q 10 9 7 4
 
1. weakYour call? 2 NT (only force)  3 C  3 NT  4 C  5 C

Problem 2

IMPsE-W VulYou, South, hold:
 
West

Pass
North

3 NT1
EAST
Pass
Pass
South
1 S
?
S A K Q J 5 4 2
H 4 2
D 6 5
C 6 2
 
1. 17-18 balancedYour call? 4 S  4 NT  5 S  5 NT  6 S  6 NT

Problem 3

IMPsNone VulYou, South, hold:
 
West

Pass
NORTH
Pass
2 NT
East
1 S
Pass
South
2 H
?
S A 8 4 3
H A K 7 5 3 2
D 10 6
C K
 
Your call? 3 H  3 S  3 NT  4 H

Problem 4

IMPsN-S VulYou, South, hold:
 
West

2 H1
North

Dbl
East

Pass
SOUTH
Pass
?
S 5 2
H K 7 5 4 3
D K J 8 7
C Q 7
 
1. 10-15, 5+ hearts, 4+ clubsYour call? 2 NT  3 D  3 NT  4 D

Problem 5

IMPsN-S VulYou, South, hold:
 
West

2 S1
North

3 D
East

4 S
SOUTH
1 H
?
S 6 4
H A K 6 3 2
D J 3
C A K J 8
 
1. weakYour call? 4 NT  5 C  5 D  5 NT

Problem 6

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

 Click to see how you did

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© 2002 Richard Pavlicek