On each of these 10 problems, you must decide whether to open the bidding in your five-card major or 1 NT (15-17). If you would bid anything else, please dont admit it, as the angry crowd might bury you along with Caesar. Simply select the button of your choice.
Compare your choice with the two experts who faced the exact same situation in real life; one opening the major, the other 1 NT. Click Score Me at any time to see your running score. If you finish plus after 10 boards, consider yourself an honorable man.
In third seat with both sides vulnerable,
What is your opening bid? 1 1 NT
John Mohan opened 1 and played 4 with the 8 lead. Down 2, -200.Cezary Balicki opened 1 NT and played there with the 3 lead. Made 2, +120.
In third seat with only your side vulnerable,
Howard Weinstein opened 1 and defended 4 × with the A lead. Down 2, +300.Richard Freeman opened 1 NT and defended 2 with the 4 lead. Made 3, -140.
In second seat with both sides vulnerable,
Niso Eskinaz opened 1 and partner played 3 NT with the 4 lead. Down 2, -200.Kyle Larsen opened 1 NT and played 3 with the Q lead. Made 5, +150.
In first seat with only opponents vulnerable,
Chip Martel opened 1 and played 4 with the 7 lead. Down 1, -50.Michael Becker opened 1 NT and played 3 NT with the 6 lead. Made 3, +400.
In first seat with only your side vulnerable,
Tom Carmichael opened 1 and partner played 3 with the 10 lead. Made 4, +130.Russ Ekeblad opened 1 NT and played 3 NT with the 5 lead. Made 4, +630.
This swing should have gone the other way (3 NT should be defeated) but thats real life for you!
Jim Krekorian opened 1 and partner played 6 with the 10 lead. Made 6, +920.Marc Jacobus opened 1 NT and played 3 NT with the 9 lead. Made 6, +490.
In second seat with only opponents vulnerable,
Ron Smith opened 1 and played 4 with the A lead. Made 4, +420.Seymon Deutsch opened 1 NT and partner played 3 with the 7 lead. Made 4, +170.
In fourth seat with only opponents vulnerable,
Alfredo Versace opened 1 and partner played 3 NT with the 7 lead. Made 3, +400.Steve Weinstein opened 1 NT and played 2 NT with the 10 lead. Made 3, +150.
In second seat with neither side vulnerable,
Fred Stewart opened 1 and played 5 with the 2 lead. Down 1, -50.Michael Becker opened 1 NT and played 4 with the 2 lead. Made 4, +420.
Steve Robinson opened 1 and defended 2 with the Q lead. Down 2, +200.Matthew Thomson opened 1 NT and played 3 × with the 7 lead. Down 2, -300.
Results and IMP scores are based on what happened in real life, so the winning decision is not necessarily correct in theory, nor does it prove anything. Nonetheless, you must accept the result of your choice, whether you agree with the actual auction or not.
Well, have you learned to praise Caesar? Or are you just ready to join him?
© 2010 Richard Pavlicek