Quiz 8B51 Main

Combatting Preempts

by Richard Pavlicek

Winning combat tactics for the bidder who’s in trouble?
Parry left, parry right, escape the final double!

On each of these 10 problems, your right-hand opponent (RHO) opens with a preemptive bid, and you are presented with two reasonable options. If you would do something else, don’t admit it, as I’d have to flatten you with a flying scissors kick.

Choose your calls then click “Score Me” to see how you did. If you finish plus IMPs after 10 boards, consider yourself a black belt. At the end you can view the actual deals and see how two experts bid differently in each case.

Warning! My whole body is a weapon, so don’t try any funny stuff.

1. IMPs Unfavorable vul

Q 10 6 3 2
10 8 3
A K
K Q J

RHO opens 3 as dealer. Your call? Pass 3

2. IMPs None vul

A Q 10 8
A Q J 9 3 2
9 8 7
—

RHO opens 3 in second seat. Your call? Dbl 3

3. IMPs Both vul

A J
K 10 7 6 3
J
Q 10 8 6 3

RHO opens 3 as dealer. Your call? Pass 3

4. IMPs Both vul

A J 2
K 6 2
A Q J 10 6
A 3

RHO opens 3 in second seat. Your call? Dbl 3 NT

5. IMPs Both vul

—
A K Q
Q 8 6 3 2
K Q 10 9 8

RHO opens 3 as dealer. Your call? Dbl 4 NT

Quit
Top Combatting Preempts

6. IMPs None vul

A Q 7 4 3
Q J
Q J 7
A J 9

RHO opens 3 in second seat. Your call? Dbl 3

7. IMPs Unfavorable vul

K Q 8 6 5
A 3 2
K 8
K J 6

RHO opens 3 in second seat. Your call? Dbl 3

8. IMPs None vul

K 10 4
8
K Q J 10 9 4
A 8 7

RHO opens 3 in second seat. Your call? Pass 4

9. IMPs None vul

A 9 3
K J 9 6 2
6 3
A K 6

RHO opens 3 in second seat. Your call? Pass 4

10. IMPs None vul

K 3 2
A K 9 6 2
5 4
K 4 2

RHO opens 3 as dealer. Your call? Dbl 3

Quit
Actual Results
Top Combatting Preempts

1. USBC Final 2006

West deals Q 10 6 3 2 West North East South
N-S vul 10 8 3 Zia Greco Rosenberg Hampson
A K 3 3 Pass 4
K Q J Pass Pass Pass
J 4 Table A 9 7
K 9 7 6 5 4 2 A Q
5 4 Q J 10 9 2
7 6 9 4 3
K 8 5
J
8 7 6 3
A 10 8 5 2

Ekeblad N-S Jacobs N-S West North East South
4 North 4 West Rubin Garner Ekeblad Weinstein
Lead: Q Lead: A 3 Pass 4 Pass
Made 5 +650 Down 2 -100 Pass Pass
Ekeblad +11 IMPs

2. Vanderbilt Round-of-16 2007

West deals J 7 6 West North East South
None vul 10 Feldman Weinstein Bramley Levin
J 4 Pass 3 Dbl 3
K Q J 9 6 3 2 Pass Pass 3 Pass
9 5 4 3 Table A Q 10 8 4 Pass 4 Pass
K 5 A Q J 9 3 2 Pass Pass
10 5 3 9 8 7
A 10 5 4 —
K 2
8 7 6 4
A K Q 6 2
8 7

Jacobs N-S Bramley N-S West North East South
4 East 4 West Zia Kamil Rosenberg Fleisher
Lead: A Lead: K Pass 3 3 Pass
Down 1 -50 Made 4 +420 3 NT Pass 4 Pass
Jacobs +10 IMPs 4 Pass Pass Pass

3. Spingold Semifinal 2007

West deals A J West North East South
Both vul K 10 7 6 3 Wrang Meckstroth Nilsson Rodwell
J 3 3 Pass 4
Q 10 8 6 3 Pass 4 Pass 4
10 6 3 Table 9 8 7 5 2 Pass 5 Pass 6
J 4 2 Pass Pass Pass
K Q 9 7 6 4 2 5 3
K 4 A 7 5 2
K Q 4
A Q 9 8 5
A 10 8
J 9

Nickell N-S H-Welland N-S West North East South
6 North 4 South Soloway Willenken Hamman Welland
Lead: A Lead: K 3 Pass Pass 3
Down 1 -100 Made 5 +650 Pass 4 Pass 4
H-Welland +13 IMPs Pass Pass Pass

4. Spingold Round-of-16 2007

West deals 9 7 West North East South
Both vul 9 3 Zhao Versace Fu Lauria
8 5 Pass 3 Dbl 3
K Q J 9 7 6 4 Pass Pass Dbl Pass
Q 8 5 4 3 Table A J 2 4 Pass Pass Pass
J K 6 2
9 7 4 2 A Q J 10 6
10 8 5 A 3
K 10 6
A Q 10 8 7 5 4
K 3
2

Cayne N-S Mahaffey N-S West North East South
4 West 3 NT East Nunes Bertheau Fantoni Nystrom
Lead: 9 Lead: A Pass 3 3 NT Pass
Down 1 -100 Down 3 -300 Pass Pass
Mahaffey +5 IMPs

5. Bermuda Bowl Final 2007

West deals — West North East South
Both vul A K Q Helness Jacobs Helgemo Katz
Q 8 6 3 2 3 Dbl Pass Pass
K Q 10 9 8 Pass
Q J 9 7 5 4 2 Table K
8 J 9 7 5 3
J 10 A 9 4
A 6 4 J 7 5 3
A 10 8 6 3
10 6 4 2
K 7 5
2

USA1 N-S Norway N-S West North East South
3 × West 5 South Garner Groetheim Weinstein Tundal
Lead: Q Lead: 8 3 4 NT Pass 5
Down 1 -200 Down 1 -100 Pass Pass Pass
USA1 +7 IMPs

Quiz 8B51 Main Top Combatting Preempts

6. Bermuda Bowl Quarterfinal 2007

West deals 10 West North East South
None vul A 10 9 8 6 3 2 Bosenberg Bocchi Eber Duboin
K 6 Pass 3 3 Pass
10 5 3 4 Pass Pass Dbl
9 6 2 Table A Q 7 4 3 Pass Pass Pass
K 7 5 Q J
8 4 3 Q J 7
K Q 6 2 A J 9
K J 8 5
4
A 10 9 5 2
8 7 4

Italy N-S South Africa N-S West North East South
4 × East 3 NT West Fantoni Cope Nunes Holman
Lead: 4 Lead: 10 Pass 3 Dbl Pass
Down 4 -800 Down 1 -50 3 NT Pass Pass Pass
Italy +13 IMPs

7. World Championship Semifinal 2008

West deals 9 3 2 West North East South
E-W vul K 4 Hackett,Ja Gromoeller Hackett,Ju Kirmse
A J 9 7 6 4 3 Pass 3 Dbl Pass
9 4 Pass 4 Pass
10 Table K Q 8 6 5 5 Pass Pass Pass
Q 8 7 5 A 3 2
10 5 K 8
A Q 8 7 5 3 K J 6
A J 7 4
J 10 9 6
Q 2
10 4 2

Germany N-S England N-S West North East South
5 West 3 East Elinescu Sandqvist Wladow Malinowski
Lead: A Lead: Q Pass 3 3 Pass
Made 5 +600 Down 1 -100 Pass Pass
England +12 IMPs

8. USBC Final 2009

West deals Q 8 3 West North East South
None vul A Q J 10 9 3 2 Weichsel Woolsey Ekeblad Stewart
3 Pass 3 4 Pass
J 4 4 NT Pass Pass Pass
9 7 6 5 2 Table K 10 4
K 6 8
A 6 2 K Q J 10 9 4
Q 10 9 A 8 7
A J
7 5 4
8 7 5
K 6 5 3 2

Robinson N-S Fleisher N-S West North East South
4 NT West 4 North Wildavsky Granovetter Doub Rubin
Lead: 3 Lead: Q Pass 3 Pass 4
Down 6 -300 Made 5 +450 Pass Pass Pass
Fleisher +4 IMPs

9. USBC Quarterfinal 2009

West deals Q J 10 6 5 4 2 West North East South
None vul 8 7 Strul Smith Becker Cohen,B
A Pass 3 4 Pass
10 9 3 Pass Pass
K 8 Table A 9 3
10 5 4 K J 9 6 2
K 10 9 8 7 6 3
Q J 4 A K 6
7
A Q 3
Q J 5 4 2
8 7 5 2

Welland N-S Strul N-S West North East South
4 East 3 North Willenken Martel Welland Stansby
Lead: 7 Lead: 6 Pass 3 Pass Pass
Down 2 -100 Down 1 -50 Pass
Welland +4 IMPs

10. USBC Round-of-32-B 2009

West deals K 3 2 West North East South
None vul A K 9 6 2 Levin Milgrim Weinstein Aker
5 4 3 Dbl Rdbl 3
K 4 2 Dbl Pass 3 NT Pass
Q Table A 8 6 4 Pass Pass Pass
Q 5 10 8 4 3
Q J 10 9 7 6 3 A 2
J 8 3 A 9 7 5
J 10 9 7 5 4
J 7
K 8
Q 10 6

Rogoff N-S Jacobs N-S West North East South
4 West 3 North Johnson Katz Simson Jacobs
Lead: K Lead: A 3 3 Pass Pass
Down 1 -50 Down 2 -100 Pass
Rogoff +4 IMPs

Results are from actual play, so the winning calls are not necessarily correct in theory.

Well, did you earn your black belt? Or is your body just black and blue?

Quiz 8B51 Main Top Combatting Preempts

West deals	Q 10 6 3 2		`West`	North	`East`	South
N-S vul	10 8 3		Zia	Greco	Rosenberg	Hampson
	A K		3	3	Pass	4
	K Q J		Pass	Pass	Pass
J 4		A 9 7
K 9 7 6 5 4 2		A Q
5 4		Q J 10 9 2
7 6		9 4 3
	K 8 5
	J
	8 7 6 3
	A 10 8 5 2

Ekeblad N-S	Jacobs N-S	`West`	North	`East`	South
4 North	4 West	Rubin	Garner	Ekeblad	Weinstein
Lead: Q	Lead: A	3	Pass	4	Pass
Made 5 +650	Down 2 -100	Pass	Pass
Ekeblad +11 IMPs

West deals	J 7 6		`West`	`North`	`East`	`South`
None vul	10		Feldman	Weinstein	Bramley	Levin
	J 4		Pass	3	Dbl	3
	K Q J 9 6 3 2		Pass	Pass	3	Pass
9 5 4 3		A Q 10 8	4	Pass	4	Pass
K 5		A Q J 9 3 2	Pass	Pass
10 5 3		9 8 7
A 10 5 4		—
	K 2
	8 7 6 4
	A K Q 6 2
	8 7

Jacobs N-S	Bramley N-S	`West`	`North`	`East`	`South`
4 East	4 West	Zia	Kamil	Rosenberg	Fleisher
Lead: A	Lead: K	Pass	3	3	Pass
Down 1 -50	Made 4 +420	3 NT	Pass	4	Pass
Jacobs +10 IMPs		4	Pass	Pass	Pass

West deals	A J		West	North	East	South
Both vul	K 10 7 6 3		Wrang	Meckstroth	Nilsson	Rodwell
	J		3	3	Pass	4
	Q 10 8 6 3		Pass	4	Pass	4
10 6 3		9 8 7 5 2	Pass	5	Pass	6
J		4 2	Pass	Pass	Pass
K Q 9 7 6 4 2		5 3
K 4		A 7 5 2
	K Q 4
	A Q 9 8 5
	A 10 8
	J 9

Nickell N-S	H-Welland N-S	West	North	East	South
6 North	4 South	Soloway	Willenken	Hamman	Welland
Lead: A	Lead: K	3	Pass	Pass	3
Down 1 -100	Made 5 +650	Pass	4	Pass	4
H-Welland +13 IMPs		Pass	Pass	Pass

Cayne N-S	Mahaffey N-S	West	North	East	South
4 West	3 NT East	Nunes	Bertheau	Fantoni	Nystrom
Lead: 9	Lead: A	Pass	3	3 NT	Pass
Down 1 -100	Down 3 -300	Pass	Pass
Mahaffey +5 IMPs

USA1 N-S	Norway N-S	West	North	East	South
3 × West	5 South	Garner	Groetheim	Weinstein	Tundal
Lead: Q	Lead: 8	3	4 NT	Pass	5
Down 1 -200	Down 1 -100	Pass	Pass	Pass
USA1 +7 IMPs

Italy N-S	South Africa N-S	`West`	`North`	`East`	`South`
4 × East	3 NT West	Fantoni	Cope	Nunes	Holman
Lead: 4	Lead: 10	Pass	3	Dbl	Pass
Down 4 -800	Down 1 -50	3 NT	Pass	Pass	Pass
Italy +13 IMPs

West deals	9 3 2		West	`North`	East	`South`
E-W vul	K 4		Hackett,Ja	Gromoeller	Hackett,Ju	Kirmse
	A J 9 7 6 4 3		Pass	3	Dbl	Pass
	9		4	Pass	4	Pass
10		K Q 8 6 5	5	Pass	Pass	Pass
Q 8 7 5		A 3 2
10 5		K 8
A Q 8 7 5 3		K J 6
	A J 7 4
	J 10 9 6
	Q 2
	10 4 2

Germany N-S	England N-S	West	`North`	East	`South`
5 West	3 East	Elinescu	Sandqvist	Wladow	Malinowski
Lead: A	Lead: Q	Pass	3	3	Pass
Made 5 +600	Down 1 -100	Pass	Pass
England +12 IMPs

West deals	Q 8 3		`West`	`North`	`East`	`South`
None vul	A Q J 10 9 3 2		Weichsel	Woolsey	Ekeblad	Stewart
	3		Pass	3	4	Pass
	J 4		4 NT	Pass	Pass	Pass
9 7 6 5 2		K 10 4
K 6		8
A 6 2		K Q J 10 9 4
Q 10 9		A 8 7
	A J
	7 5 4
	8 7 5
	K 6 5 3 2

Robinson N-S	Fleisher N-S	`West`	`North`	`East`	`South`
4 NT West	4 North	Wildavsky	Granovetter	Doub	Rubin
Lead: 3	Lead: Q	Pass	3	Pass	4
Down 6 -300	Made 5 +450	Pass	Pass	Pass
Fleisher +4 IMPs

West deals	Q J 10 6 5 4 2		`West`	`North`	`East`	`South`
None vul	8 7		Strul	Smith	Becker	Cohen,B
	A		Pass	3	4	Pass
	10 9 3		Pass	Pass
K 8		A 9 3
10 5 4		K J 9 6 2
K 10 9 8 7		6 3
Q J 4		A K 6
	7
	A Q 3
	Q J 5 4 2
	8 7 5 2

Welland N-S	Strul N-S	`West`	`North`	`East`	`South`
4 East	3 North	Willenken	Martel	Welland	Stansby
Lead: 7	Lead: 6	Pass	3	Pass	Pass
Down 2 -100	Down 1 -50	Pass
Welland +4 IMPs

West deals	K 3 2		`West`	`North`	`East`	`South`
None vul	A K 9 6 2		Levin	Milgrim	Weinstein	Aker
	5 4		3	Dbl	Rdbl	3
	K 4 2		Dbl	Pass	3 NT	Pass
Q		A 8 6	4	Pass	Pass	Pass
Q 5		10 8 4 3
Q J 10 9 7 6 3		A 2
J 8 3		A 9 7 5
	J 10 9 7 5 4
	J 7
	K 8
	Q 10 6

Rogoff N-S	Jacobs N-S	`West`	`North`	`East`	`South`
4 West	3 North	Johnson	Katz	Simson	Jacobs
Lead: K	Lead: A	3	3	Pass	Pass
Down 1 -50	Down 2 -100	Pass
Rogoff +4 IMPs

Combatting Preempts

Winning combat tactics for the bidder who’s in trouble?Parry left, parry right, escape the final double!

Actual Results

1. USBC Final 2006

2. Vanderbilt Round-of-16 2007

3. Spingold Semifinal 2007

4. Spingold Round-of-16 2007

5. Bermuda Bowl Final 2007

6. Bermuda Bowl Quarterfinal 2007

7. World Championship Semifinal 2008

8. USBC Final 2009

9. USBC Quarterfinal 2009

10. USBC Round-of-32-B 2009

Winning combat tactics for the bidder who’s in trouble?
Parry left, parry right, escape the final double!