The Beast of Velvet Cave

Welcome, spelunkers! I will be your guide. Before we begin I must warn you to stay with the group; your safety cannot be assured if you stray into the catacombs. The temperature inside the cave is 44-45 degrees Fahrenheit, so wear a coat or jacket; and it’s dark down there, so keep your lanterns lit at all times. If you’re ready, follow me.

OK, OK, this is really a bidding challenge on six problems from a past tournament. The venue is my little secret for now, though you’re invited to guess from the clues. But don’t worry about that; just select your call as South on each problem.

In March of 2004 these problems were presented as a poll, with 1337 entrants from 122 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.

Proceed with caution. If you select good bids, you have nothing to worry about — but I lie a lot. Bwa-ha-ha! Did I mention the dragon?

Problem 1

IMPs		N-S vul		You, South, hold:
West Pass	North 1	East 2	South 1 ?	A 8 Q 9 6 2 A K Q 4 A 8 2
			Your call? X* 2  2 NT 3  3 NT

*penalty

Problem 2

IMPs		None vul		You, South, hold:
West Pass 3 1	North 1 Pass	East 1 Pass	South Dbl ?	J K J 10 8 3 K 6 5 J 8 4 3
1. weak			Your call? Pass X* 3 NT 4  4

*card-showing

Problem 3

IMPs		E-W vul		You, South, hold:
West Pass	North 1 3	East Pass Pass	South 2 ?	A 10 J 9 K Q J 6 3 K J 6 2
			Your call? 3  3  3 NT 4  4  4  5

Problem 4

IMPs		None vul		You, South, hold:
West 1 Pass	North Dbl 2	East Pass Pass	South Pass 2 ?	K 7 6 Q 8 6 4 A 10 7 K 7 6
			Your call? 2 NT 3  3  3  3 NT 4  4

Problem 5

IMPs		Both vul		You, South, hold:
West Pass 4	North 1 Pass	East 1 5	South 2 ?	4 — K J 7 5 A Q J 10 6 5 4 3
			Your call? Pass Dbl 5  5  5 NT 6  6

Problem 6

IMPs		E-W vul		You, South, hold:
West Pass	North 1 NT	East Pass	South ?	J 4 2 A K 9 8 9 6 4 10 9 8
			Your call or calls?	A. Pass B. 2 then 2 NT or 3 raise C. 2 then 2 NT or 4 raise D. 2 then 3 NT or 3 raise E.  2 then 3 NT or 4 raise F.  2 NT G. 3 NT

 Click to see how you did

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© 2004 Richard Pavlicek