Challenge 7X73  MainAnalyses


The Worst Leading Man


Scores by Richard Pavlicek

Not to be outdone by the many award shows these days, I’ve decided to start my own. Forget the Oscars, Emmys, Grammys, Golden Globes or whatever, and say hello to the PavCo Awards honoring ineptitude at the bridge table. I’ve won a few myself over the years, but I won’t be greedy; I will share this award with other deserving people.

This year’s PavCo in the “Worst Leading Man” category goes to your partner — West on these six problems. Whether he was unlucky or un-brained might be debatable, but in each case he appears to be playing for the wrong side.

As East, your goal is to recover from the horrendous start by choosing your next lead from the choices listed. Each option is rated on a 1-to-10 scale, based on 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 April of 2004 these problems were presented as a contest with 908 entrants from 115 locations. The contest is closed, but you can still quiz yourself and find your score immediately. If you’re lucky, you might win a valuable prize.*

*Prizes include two gleaming statuettes (13 inches high) handcrafted in 24K gold, and 50 tickets to The Lord of the Rings: PavCo Returns.
Employees of PavCo Oscar Heists are ineligible. Void where prohibited by law, or where no such prohibitions exist.

Well, are you ready to face the man with the not-so-golden arm? Then plop yourself down in the East chair. It might boost your morale if you close your eyes on the opening lead; but after that debacle, partner will be on your side. See if you can find the best defense.

Problem 1

MatchpointsS K J 9 2WestNorthEastSouth
Both vulH 10 8 7 4WL ManDummyYouDeclarer
D A 21 C
C K 8 6Pass1 HPass1 S
TableS Q 4Pass3 S1Pass4 S
Lead: D 4H Q J 9PassPassPass
D J 10 8 3
4 S SouthC Q 9 7 21. forcing

TrickLead2nd3rd4th
1. WD 4210Q
2. SS 53JQ

Your next lead? S 4 H Q H J D 3 C 9 C 2

Problem 2

MatchpointsS Q 5 4WestNorthEastSouth
None vulH A 8 4 3 2WL ManDummyYouDeclarer
D K 10 8 5 23 HPassPass4 C
CPass4 DDbl5 C
TableS J 9 7 6PassPassDblPass
Lead: S KHPassPass
D A Q J 9 4
5 C× SouthC K 6 3 2

TrickLead2nd3rd4th
1. WS K47A
2. SC A4H 22
3. SC Q5H 3K

Your next lead? S J S 9 S 6 D A D Q C 3

Problem 3

MatchpointsS Q 8 4WestNorthEastSouth
None vulH 4 3WL ManDummyYouDeclarer
D A 6 5 21 NT3 H
C K Q J 7Pass4 HPassPass
TableS A J 3Pass
Lead: C 4H A K 5
D J 9 8
4 H SouthC A 9 5 2

TrickLead2nd3rd4th
1. WC 4JAH 6
2. SH Q23A

Your next lead? S 3 H K H 5 D J D 8 C 2

Problem 4

MatchpointsS 10 4WestNorthEastSouth
E-W vulH 8 4WL ManDummyYouDeclarer
D A Q 10 6 44 HPassPass4 S
C K 5 4 2PassPassPass
TableS A 3 2
Lead: H 3H 7 6 5
D K J 9 8 2
4 S SouthC Q 10

TrickLead2nd3rd4th
1. WH 3459
2. SS Q54A

Your next lead? S 2 H 7 D 9 D 2 C Q C 10

Problem 5

MatchpointsS K 3WestNorthEastSouth
None vulH A J 8 2WL ManDummyYouDeclarer
D K 10 4 21 NT
C J 9 2Pass2 CPass2 S
TableS Q 10 9 8Pass3 NTPassPass
Lead: D QH Q 10 9 7Pass
D 6 5
3 NT SouthC Q 10 4

TrickLead2nd3rd4th
1. WD Q25A
2. SH 45JQ

Your next lead? S 10 H 10 H 7 D 6 C Q C 4

Problem 6

MatchpointsS K QWestNorthEastSouth
Both vulH K 10 8 4WL ManDummyYouDeclarer
D K 8 3 21 NTPass4 S1
C A Q 4PassPassPass
TableS A 7 2
Lead: H AH 7 6 5 31. no transfers to put West on lead!
D J 10 4
4 S SouthC J 10 8

TrickLead2nd3rd4th
1. WH A43S 3
2. SS 59Q?

Surely you’re not beating this. What is your plan to minimize overtricks?

A. Win S A, lead S 2
B. Win S A, lead H 5
C. Win S A, lead D J
D. Win S A, lead C J
E.  Duck, win next spade
F.  Duck twice

 Click to see how you did

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© 2004 Richard Pavlicek