Challenge 7Y81 Main Analyses

On Top of the World

by Richard Pavlicek

Such a feeling’s coming over me. There is wonder in most ev’rything I see. No, this is not a story about wonder bids, but a bidding poll on six problems from a past tournament. When and where? That’s my little secret for now, though you’re invited to guess from the clues. (You can rule out Mount Everest and the North Pole, hehe.) But don’t worry about that; just choose your calls as South.

In May of 2004 these problems were presented as a poll, with 1265 entrants from 118 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.

Not a cloud in the sky; got the sun in my eyes; and I won’t be surprised if it’s a dream… And the reason is clear; it’s because you are here; you’re the nearest thing to heaven that I’ve seen (OK, I lie a lot). Now start bidding, or I’ll sing another chorus.

Problem 1

IMPs		N-S vul		You, South, hold:

`West` Pass Pass	North Pass 1	`East` Pass Pass	South 1 ?	A Q 10 9 8 A K Q 6 A 8 6 2

			Your call? 2 2 2 NT 3 3 NT

Problem 2

IMPs		N-S vul		You, South, hold:

`West` Pass	North Pass 1	`East` 1 1 NT	South Dbl ?	A Q 10 7 5 A J 9 5 Q A Q 3

			Your call? Pass Dbl 2 2 2 3 4

Problem 3

IMPs		N-S vul		You, South, hold:

`West` Pass	North 1 2	`East` Pass Pass	South 1 ?	K 10 9 7 A J 6 5 5 A 9 5 3

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

Problem 4

IMPs		None vul		You, South, hold:

`West` Pass Pass	`North` 2 ¹ 4	`East` 1 Pass Pass	`South` 2 3 ?	A 5 2 A 6 J 10 A Q 10 9 8 7

1. general force			Your call? 4 4 4 NT 5 5 5 NT* 6

*pick a slam

Problem 5

IMPs		None vul		You, South, hold:

`West` Pass Pass	`North` 1 2 NT	`East` Pass Pass	`South` 2 ?	Q 10 5 2 — A Q J 10 7 3 2 K 10

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

*Gerber

Problem 6

IMPs		Both vul		You, South, hold:

West Pass	North 1	East Pass 1	South Pass ?	9 8 2 J 8 6 3 — Q 10 9 7 4 3

			Your call? Pass Dbl 1 2 3 * 4 5

*limit raise

Click to see how you did

Challenge 7Y81 Main Analyses Scores Top On Top of the World