Challenge 7Y17 Main Analyses

Starry, Starry Night

by Richard Pavlicek

Paint your palette blue and gray! All bridge players are invited to try this bidding challenge based on six problems from a past tournament. When and where? That’s my little secret, though you are welcome to guess from the clues on this page. But don’t worry about that; all you have to do is choose your call as South from the choices offered.

In January 2003 these problems were presented as a poll, with 1035 entrants from 107 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.

“Look out on a summer’s day with eyes that know the darkness in my soul.” Now start bidding before you get starry-eyed.

Problem 1

IMPs		Both Vul		You, South, hold:

West Pass	North 1	EAST Pass Pass	South 1 ?	K Q 4 K 5 A 3 A Q J 8 5 3

			Your call: 2 2 2 NT 3 3 3 NT 4

Problem 2

IMPs		E-W Vul		You, South, hold:

WEST 2 ¹	`North` 2 NT	East 3	`South` ?	7 6 3 2 10 K Q 10 9 7 5 2 6

1. 12-16, 5+ hearts, 4+ clubs			Your call: Pass 3 NT 4 4 4 5

Problem 3

IMPs		N-S Vul		You, South, hold:

`WEST` Pass	North 1	`East` 1	South ?	A 6 4 3 A K 3 K 10 8 4 2 Q

			Your call: Double 1 2 2 2 NT 3 NT

Problem 4

IMPs		E-W Vul		You, South, hold:

WEST Pass Pass Pass	`North` 1 2 3	East Pass Pass Pass	`South` 2 2 ?	9 A K Q 2 10 9 6 A 9 8 7 5

			Your call: 3 3 NT 4 4 NT 5 6

Problem 5

IMPs		N-S Vul		You, South, hold:

`West` Pass Pass	North Pass 1	`East` 1 2	SOUTH 1 Dbl ?	A J 4 A K 4 A 7 6 5 3 2 A

			Your call: Pass Double 2 2 NT 3 3 4

Problem 6

IMPs		E-W Vul			You, South, hold:

West Pass Pass	`North` 2 Dbl¹	East 2 Pass	`SOUTH` 1 NT Pass ?		Q 5 A J 8 A Q Q 9 7 6 5 4

1. penalty		Call and opinion:		A. Pass; agree with 1 NT B. Pass; disagree with 1 NT C. 2 NT; agree with 1 NT D. 2 NT; disagree with 1 NT E. 3 ; agree with 1 NT F. 3 ; disagree with 1 NT

Click to see how you did

Challenge 7Y17 Main Analyses Scores Top Starry, Starry Night