Visions of Sugar Plums

What would be sweeter than a friendly lead? Six of them! As declarer on each of these problems, you may think it is Christmas after seeing the first trick — and in some cases you will need all the help you can get.

But be careful! What first looks like a sugarplum might actually be a Greek gift.

In December 2002 these six problems were presented as a contest, which had 637 entrants from 94 locations. The contest is now closed, but you can still challenge yourself and find your score immediately.

As South on each problem, choose your play from options A-F.
Each option is rated on a 1-to-10 scale per my judgment.

Bidding is standard (unless noted). Opponents use standard leads and signals.
For a reference see Standard American Bridge. Assume all players are experts.

In the words of the Great One, “How sweet it is… and a-way we go!” You might even win a valuable prize.*

*Prizes include a lifetime supply of sugarplum fairies and gingerbread men. Winners must be at least 18 years of age.
Employees of PavCo Plumming are ineligible. Prizes void where prohibited by law, or anywhere else actually.

Problem 1

IMPs	5 4			West	North	East	South
N-S vul	J 10 2			LHO	Partner	RHO	You
	7 5 3					Pass	1
	A K Q J 5			1	3	Pass	4
				Pass	Pass	Pass
Lead: 10		East plays 4
	A 7 3 2
	A K Q 9 8
	Q J 10 2
4 South	—

Your play?

A. Win A-K-Q (pitch spades)
B. Win A-K-Q (pitch diamonds)
C. Win A-K (pitch spades)
D. Win A-K (pitch diamonds)
E.  Win A (pitch spade), A, J
F.  Win A (pitch spade), lead 3

Problem 2

IMPs	K 7 5 3			West	North	East	South
E-W vul	6 2			LHO	Partner	RHO	You
	A 5 2						1 NT
	K 6 5 2			Pass	2	Pass	2
				Pass	3 NT	Pass	Pass
Lead: 4		East plays 6		Pass
	A 9
	A 8 5 4
	K 7 6 4
3 NT South	A 8 4

After winning the 9 (how sweet) what next?

A. Win A, duck a heart
B. Win A, duck a diamond
C. Win A, duck a club
D. Duck a heart
E.  Duck a diamond
F.  Duck a club

Problem 3

Matchpoints	K Q 4			West	North	East	South
Both vul	A Q 7 5 2			LHO	Partner	RHO	You
	A 7 5 4 3				1	Pass	1
	—			Pass	3	Pass	4
				Pass	Pass	Pass
Lead: J		East plays 6
	A J 10 9 8
	J 3
	Q 8
4 South	9 8 6 3

After winning the Q (thank you very much) what next?

A. Run the J
B. Lead 3 and finesse queen
C. Win A, ruff diamond, run the J
D. Ruff club, lead the Q
E.  Ruff club, lead 2 to jack
F.  Ruff club, win A, ruff diamond

Problem 4

Matchpoints	K J 6 5			West	North	East	South
None vul	J 7 5 3			LHO	Partner	RHO	You
	10 2					2	3 NT
	Q 7 3			Pass	Pass	Pass
Lead: K		East wins A (perforce)
	A 3
	10 6 2
	A K J 5 4
3 NT South	A K 5

East shifts to the J, won by your ace (West plays 2). On the K, West pitches the 4. What next?

A. Win A, lead 3 and finesse jack
B. Lead 3 and finesse jack
C. Lead the 10
D. Lead the 6
E.  Lead the 4
F.  Win Q, lead 10 (Q-A), win J

Problem 5

IMPs	10 7			West	North	East	South
N-S vul	K Q 5			LHO	Partner	RHO	You
	A 8 6 3				1	Pass	1
	A 8 5 4			2	3	Pass	4
				Pass	Pass	Pass
Lead: A		East plays Q
	K 5 3
	A 7 6 4 2
	4 2
4 South	K 3 2

West continues with the 6, East plays the jack and you win the king. What next?

A. Win K-Q, K, ruff spade
B. Win K-Q, duck a club
C. Win K, A, ruff spade
D. Win K, duck a club
E.  Duck a diamond
F.  Duck a club

Problem 6

IMPs	9 8 6 4			West	North	East	South
None vul	K 8 5 3			LHO	Partner	RHO	You
	5 3						1
	A 10 3			1	Dbl	3	4
				Pass	Pass	Pass
Lead: A		East plays 4
	A 7 5 2
	—
	A K 8 7 6 4 2
4 South	7 4

Is the A lead a blessing? Or a Trojan horse? How do you play?

A. Ruff, duck a spade
B. Ruff, win A, duck a spade
C. Ruff, win A, A, K, lead 5
D. Ruff, win A-K
E.  Ruff, duck a diamond
F.  Pitch a club

 Click to see how you did

Challenge 7X09 Main Analyses

Scores Top Visions of Sugar Plums

© 2002 Richard Pavlicek