Challenge 7X57 Main Analyses

Our Finest Gifts We Bring

by Richard Pavlicek

Pa-rum pum pum pum

If you’ve ever played in a large pair event, you know that the secret to winning is not just to play well but to receive gifts. Meeting the right opponents at the right time is as important as playing good bridge. The age-old proverb, “It is better to give than receive,” may be the spirit of the season and a virtue in life — but it brings no reward at the bridge table.

This is a defensive-play challenge for all bridge players. On each of the six problems you are East, and your opponents have bid optimistically to an aggressive contract. Translation: They have bid like maniacs. Partner has made a normal lead, and it’s up to you to find the best defense to accept your gift. Simply choose your next lead from the choices offered. Each option will be rated on a 1-to-10 scale per my judgment.

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

In December 2003 these problems were presented as a contest with 854 entrants from 114 locations. The contest is closed, but you can still quiz yourself and find out your score immediately. If you’re lucky and drum up a good score, you might be blessed with a valuable prize.*

*Prizes include a 50 kg. ingot of pure gold, and 50 ounces of frankenstein and myrrh — oops, wrong contest, make that frankincense.
Winners must be at least 18 years of age and reigning king of their country. Employees of PavCo Drum Corps are ineligible.

Well, are you ready for some gifts? Or shall I play for you, pa-rum pum pum pum? Don’t worry about the time (the ox and lamb will keep track of that). Just play your best for Him, and He will smile at you, pa-rum pum pum pum.

Problem 1

Matchpoints	K 9 8 7 3		`West`	`North`	`East`	`South`
None vul	4		Partner	Dummy	You	Declarer
	9 6 5 4 3					1 NT
	10 3		Pass	2 ¹	Dbl	3
		A 4 2	Pass	4	Pass	Pass
Lead: 2		A K 7 6 5	Pass
Lead: 2		Q
4 South		A J 9 7	1. Jacoby transfer

Trick Lead 2nd 3rd 4th
1. W 2 4 A 9

Your next lead? 2 K 6 Q A J

Problem 2

Matchpoints	Q 2		West	North	East	South
Both vul	K J 9		Partner	Dummy	You	Declarer
	A K 9 5 4 3			2	Pass	2
	A K		Pass	3	Pass	3
		A K 8 3	Pass	4	Pass	Pass
Lead: 4		A 4	Pass
Lead: 4		Q 2
4 South		Q 8 7 6 3

Trick Lead 2nd 3rd 4th
1. W 4 Q K 6

Your next lead? A A 4 Q 2 6

Problem 3

Matchpoints	K 6 5		West	`North`	East	`South`
E-W vul	A 10 9		Partner	Dummy	You	Declarer
	K 8 6 5 4 2					1
	K		Pass	2	Pass	2
		Q	Pass	3	Pass	4
Lead: J		Q J 8 2	Pass	4	Pass	5
Lead: J		Q 10 9 7 3	Pass	6	All Pass
6 South		A Q 9

Trick Lead 2nd 3rd 4th
1. W J 2 3 A
2. S 8 2 K A

Your next lead? Q Q J 2 Q Q

Problem 4

Matchpoints	7 2		West	`North`	East	`South`
E-W vul	10 4 2		Partner	Dummy	You	Declarer
	K Q J 10 8 7			1	Dbl	Rdbl
	A 9		1	2	Pass	2 NT
		A Q 6 3	Pass	3 NT	Pass	Pass
Lead: 4		K 8 7 5	Pass
Lead: 4		A 5
3 NT South		Q 7 5

Trick Lead 2nd 3rd 4th
1. W 4 2 A 5

Your next lead? Q 3 8 5 Q 5

Problem 5

Matchpoints	K 9 3		West	North	East	South
Both vul	K 3		Partner	Dummy	You	Declarer
	J 9 3 2					2
	K 9 4 3		Pass	4	Pass	Pass
		A 2	Pass
Lead: K		A 10 6 4
Lead: K		Q 6 5 4
4 South		J 8 2

Trick Lead 2nd 3rd 4th
1. W K 2 6 7
2. W 5 K A 8

Your next lead? A 2 4 Q 4 2

Problem 6

Matchpoints	Q		`West`	North	`East`	South
N-S vul	Q 6		Partner	Dummy	You	Declarer
	Q J 10 8 4 2					2 NT
	Q 5 3 2		Pass	4 ¹	4	6 NT
		A 10 9 8 7 6 5 4	Pass	Pass	Pass
Lead: J		10 2
Lead: J		3	1. Gerber
6 NT South		10 9

Trick Lead 2nd 3rd 4th
1. W J Q ?

Partner leads the J. How do you defend?

A. Win A, lead 10
B. Win A, lead 10
C. Win A, lead 2
D. Win A, lead 3
E. Win A, lead 10
F. Duck the first trick

Click to see how you did

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