Challenge 7Y57 Main Analyses

Big Brother Is Watching

by Richard Pavlicek

Will the Ministry of Truth be impressed with your bidding? Find out in this bidding challenge on six problems from a past tournament. When and where? Sorry, my lips are sealed, though you’re invited to guess from the clues. But don’t worry about that; just select your call as South from the choices offered.

In November 2003 these problems were presented as a poll, with 1149 entrants from 116 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. The object is to determine the best calls based on judgment,
so only basic conventions are allowed. For a system reference, see Standard American Bridge.

Are you ready? Then start bidding, or I may have to call the Thought Police.
If you get stumped, repeat after me, 100 times: Down with Big Brother!

Problem 1

IMPs		N-S vul		You, South, hold:

`West` Dbl	North Pass	`East` 2	South 1 ?	Q 10 7 5 2 A K Q J 9 2 4 10

			Your call? Pass Dbl 2 2 3 3 4

Problem 2

IMPs		E-W vul		You, South, hold:

West Pass Pass Pass	`North` 1 3 ¹ 4	East Pass Pass Pass	`South` 1 2 3 ?	J 10 2 A J 4 2 K Q J 5 4 A

1. 10+ game force			Your call? Pass 4 4 NT 5 5 5 5 NT

Problem 3

IMPs		None vul		You, South, hold:

`West` Pass Pass	`North` 1 2	`East` Pass Pass	`South` 1 NT ?	4 A 7 5 A J 8 6 4 3 8 7 5

			Your call? Pass 2 NT 3 3 3 NT 4 * 4

*diamonds + heart fit

Problem 4

IMPs		None vul		You, South, hold:

`West`	`North` Pass	`East` 1	`South` ?	— Q J 6 2 Q J 9 7 6 5 4 A 6

			Your call? 1 1 2 2 NT* 3 4 5

*hearts + diamonds

Problem 5

IMPs		Both vul		Critique this bidding disaster:

West 1 1 3 4 4 5	North Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass	East 1 2 ¹ 3 4 5 5	South Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass	K Q 10 6 J K 7 5 K 9 7 5 4	A J 5 3 A 10 J 8 6 4 A 10 2
1. artificial game force			Worst E-W bid? 1 1 3 4 4 5 5

Problem 6

IMPs		N-S vul		You, South, hold:

`West` 1 4	North 1 Pass	`East` 2 ¹ Pass	South 3 ?	A 10 5 4 J 9 6 3 A Q 9 6 4

1. weak			Your call and opening lead?	A. Pass, lead A B. Pass, lead 4 C. Pass, lead 3 D. Pass, lead A E. Double, lead A F. Double, lead 4 G. Double, lead 3 H. Double, lead A

Click to see how you did

Challenge 7Y57 Main Analyses Scores Top Big Brother Is Watching