Quiz 8D35   Main


Valentine’s Legacy


  by Richard Pavlicek

Few people are aware that Valentinus Episcopus, better known as St. Valentine, was the greatest bridge player of all time (future included) and if anyone doubts this I have proof. Archaeologists recently discovered six more clay tablets of hands played by Valentine, all fittingly in hearts, but water erosion made his plays indiscernible. That’s where you fit in! Try to determine Valentine’s plays to the first four tricks. And don’t fret! If you butcher the play, just chalk it up to another St. Valentine’s Day massacre.

For each problem enter eight cards (e.g., HQ) in the order you would play them to Tricks 1-4. Routine early plays, if any, are already entered. Unless noted otherwise: (1) Assume both opponents follow suit; second hand low, third or fourth hand to their best advantage. (2) If an opponent is on lead, assume the suit they led previously is continued for the quiz, though it may not have been in ancient times.

Are you ready? Then play away!


1. None Vul S 7 2
H Q J 10
D A Q J 5 2
C Q 7 3
West

Pass
Pass
North

2 D
4 H
EAST
Pass
Pass
All Pass
South
1 H
3 NT
Lead: H 8Table
4 H South S A J 3
H A K 5 4 3
D 4 3
C A 10 2

Plays
  1
  2
  3
  4

If you take the diamond finesse, it loses.


2. Both Vul S 4 3
H K J 10 9
D Q 10 6
C K 8 7 6
West

Pass
Pass
All Pass
North

1 NT
3 H
East

Pass
Pass
SOUTH
1 S
2 H
4 H
Lead: C QTable
4 H South S A K 8 7 6 5
H A Q 7 2
D 9 8
C 4

Plays
  1
  2
  3
  4

If you play low from dummy, West leads another club (from C Q-J-10-9).


3. N-S Vul S 10 8 7 3 2
H K Q
D K 10 9 8
C J 6
West

Pass
Pass
Pass
NORTH
Pass
1 S
2 H
4 H
East
Pass
Pass
Pass
All Pass
South
1 H
2 C
3 H
Lead: D 2Table
4 H South S A J
H A 9 8 7 5 4
D 7
C K Q 7 2

Plays
  1
  2
  3
  4

West’s lead shows an odd number of diamonds. East wins the D Q (or ace if you play D K) and shifts to the S 6.


4. None Vul S 9 8 7
H 10 2
D 10 7 2
C Q 6 5 4 2
West

Pass
North

Pass
EAST
4 S
Pass
South
6 H
Lead: S 6Table
6 H South S A
H A K Q J 9
D A J 4
C A K 8 7

Plays
  1
  2
  3
  4

Not much science in the bidding. Luckily you caught a suitable dummy.


5. E-W Vul S Q J 10 9
H J 10 4
D Q J 8 2
C A 6
West

Pass
Pass
Pass
All Pass
North

1 S
4 C
5 H
East

Pass
Pass
Pass
SOUTH
1 H
3 NT
4 H
6 H
Lead: C JTable
6 H South S A 2
H A K 9 8 3 2
D K 10 9
C K Q

Plays
  1
  2
  3
  4

West pitches a club on the first heart lead.


6. N-S Vul S A J 6 5 4 3
H A K 2
D 2
C K 9 8
West

Pass
Pass
All Pass
NORTH
1 S
4 D
5 S
East
Pass
Pass
Pass
South
2 H
5 C
6 H
Lead: H JTable
6 H South S
H Q 8 7 6 3
D A J 7 6 5 4
C A J

Plays
  1
  2
  3
  4

Partner’s splinter bid drove you to a difficult slam — for anyone but St. Valentine.



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Quiz 8D35   MainTop   Valentine’s Legacy

© 2018 Richard Pavlicek