Quiz 8D53 Main

Diamonds to Graphite

by Richard Pavlicek

Operations are now in full swing at our Jwaneng Mine, and shares of PavCo Diamonds (PAVD) are up 80 percent. In fact, our diamond supply is so abundant that our research department has developed a new technology to transform these cubic crystals of carbon into graphite. This “reverse alchemy” could be worth billions, not only by preserving the market price of diamonds, but in meeting the high demand for quality pencils. Anyone wishing to experience this conversion is invited to send their diamond jewelry to our Florida plant. In return we’ll send you an equivalent amount of pencils free of charge.

Or better yet… Save postage and visit one of our kiosks at most major shopping malls. PavCo Diamonds now has contracts with 16 mall owners to provide on-the-spot conversions — just bring in your diamonds, and we guarantee you will be delighted with our finest pencils in return. How can you lose?

While we’re on the topic of diamond contracts, test your declarer play on the following six problems (IMP scoring). And don’t fret! If you turn them into graphite, we’ll understand that too.

For each problem enter eight cards (e.g., CA) 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 might not be in actual play.

Are you ready? Then get the lead out of your behind, and try to sparkle!

1. E-W Vul 7 5 4 3
J 7 6 2
A Q 2
A J WEST
1 NT
Pass
All Pass North
Pass
Dbl East
3
Pass South
Pass
3
Lead: Q Table East plays the 10
3 South J 2
A 10 4
9 8 6 5 4 3
K 7
Plays 1
2
3
4

2. None Vul 5 4 3
5 4
A Q J
Q J 10 7 6 West

1
3 North

2
Pass East

2
Pass SOUTH
1
3
4
Lead: A Table
East plays the 10 and West continues with K
If you take the diamond finesse it wins
4 South 2
A J 10 6
10 9 8 7 5
A K 4
Plays 1
2
3
4

3. Both Vul A
K 8 7 6 2
9 5
A K 8 6 3 West

2
Pass NORTH
1
3
5 East
Pass
3
All Pass South
1 NT
4
Lead: J Table
East plays the 8
If you lose the lead, West wins and returns a trump
5 South 6 4 2
4 3
A K Q J 10
7 4 2
Plays 1
2
3
4

4. N-S Vul A 3
J 5 3
9 8 7
A Q J 5 2 West

3
All Pass NORTH
1
4 East
2
Pass South
3
5
Lead: 3 Table East plays the 2
5 South 7 5 4 2
A K 2
K Q J 10 5
4
Plays 1
2
3
4

5. None Vul J 10 2
Q 4 3
A K 10 8 4
9 7 West

Pass
Pass North

3
4 East

Pass
Pass SOUTH
2 NT
3
6
Lead: 7 Table East plays the 3 (or 9 if you play 8)
6 South A 9 8
A 10 9
Q J 2
A Q J 3
Plays 1
2
3
4

Well, you obviously can’t bid, so maybe play is your thing.

6. N-S Vul A K 8
K 8 7 6 5 4
9 8
4 3 West

6
7 North

6
Dbl EAST
1
Pass
Pass South
5
Pass
7
Lead: K Table
East plays the 5
West pitches a club on the first trump lead
7 South J 2
A 3 2
A Q J 10 7 6 3 2
—
Plays 1
2
3
4

Hey, Lucy in the sky! Would you have bid 8 over 8 ?

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Quiz 8D53 Main Top Diamonds to Graphite

1. E-W Vul	7 5 4 3 J 7 6 2 A Q 2 A J		WEST 1 NT Pass All Pass	`North` Pass Dbl	East 3 Pass	`South` Pass 3
Lead: Q		East plays the 10
3 South	J 2 A 10 4 9 8 6 5 4 3 K 7	Plays	1	2	3	4

2. None Vul	5 4 3 5 4 A Q J Q J 10 7 6		`West` 1 3	`North` 2 Pass	`East` 2 Pass	`SOUTH` 1 3 4
Lead: A		East plays the 10 and West continues with K If you take the diamond finesse it wins
4 South	2 A J 10 6 10 9 8 7 5 A K 4	Plays	1	2	3	4

3. Both Vul	A K 8 7 6 2 9 5 A K 8 6 3		West 2 Pass	NORTH 1 3 5	East Pass 3 All Pass	South 1 NT 4
Lead: J		East plays the 8 If you lose the lead, West wins and returns a trump
5 South	6 4 2 4 3 A K Q J 10 7 4 2	Plays	1	2	3	4

4. N-S Vul	A 3 J 5 3 9 8 7 A Q J 5 2		`West` 3 All Pass	NORTH 1 4	`East` 2 Pass	South 3 5
Lead: 3		East plays the 2
5 South	7 5 4 2 A K 2 K Q J 10 5 4	Plays	1	2	3	4

5. None Vul	J 10 2 Q 4 3 A K 10 8 4 9 7		`West` Pass Pass	`North` 3 4	`East` Pass Pass	`SOUTH` 2 NT 3 6
Lead: 7		East plays the 3 (or 9 if you play 8)
6 South	A 9 8 A 10 9 Q J 2 A Q J 3	Plays	1	2	3	4

6. N-S Vul	A K 8 K 8 7 6 5 4 9 8 4 3		`West` 6 7	North 6 Dbl	`EAST` 1 Pass Pass	South 5 Pass 7
Lead: K		East plays the 5 West pitches a club on the first trump lead
7 South	J 2 A 3 2 A Q J 10 7 6 3 2 —	Plays	1	2	3	4