The Legend of King Arthur

Once upon a time, a king named Arthur wished to conquer the world. He lacked the swords and lances for such a feat, so he gathered his knights of the bridge table. “Venture forth young men to nether regions,” commanded Arthur. “First to the land of the Goths! Then east to the Punjab! Triumph, and you shall be nobly rewarded with shares of my kingdom.” And so the quest began.

These six bidding problems are from a past tournament. Perhaps my clues will help you guess the year and location, but don’t worry about that. As South, simply select your call.

In September 2005 these problems were presented as a poll, with 1403 entrants from 122 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.

Aim your lances and prepare for battle!

The first joust should be easy, as you’re protected by a long suit of armor.

Problem 1

IMPs		None vul		You, South, hold:
West Pass	North 1	East Pass Pass	South 1 ?	— A K Q J 10 9 6 5 4 K K 6 5
			Your call? 3  4  4 NT* 5  6

*regular Blackwood

Problem 2

IMPs		N-S vul		You, South, hold:
West Pass	North 1 2	East Pass Pass	South 1 ?	A J 8 3 2 8 5 3 7 5 K J 6
			Your call? Pass 2  2  2  2 NT 3

Problem 3

IMPs		N-S vul		You, South, hold:
West 1 Pass	North Pass 2	East Pass 2	South Dbl ?	A K 10 9 6 A K 9 Q 7 6 4 3
			Your call? Pass Dbl 2 NT 3  3  3

Problem 4

IMPs		Both vul		You, South, hold:
West Pass Pass Pass	North 1 2 3	East Pass Pass Pass	South Pass 1 NT 2 ?	J 10 A 10 9 6 2 Q 10 8 5 3 2
			Your call? 3  3  3 NT 4  4  4 NT* 5

*regular Blackwood

Problem 5

IMPs		N-S vul		You, South, hold:
West Pass Pass	North 1 1 NT 3	East Pass Pass Pass	South 1 3 1 ?	A K 6 3 7 K Q 7 4 2 K 10 2
1. game force			Your call? 3  3 NT 4  4  4  4 NT 5

Problem 6

IMPs		E-W vul		You, South, hold:
West 2	North Pass Pass	East 1 3 1	South ? ?	K J 9 5 4 K J 10 8 5 2 A Q
1. not a game try			Your two calls?	A. Dbl then Pass B. Dbl then Dbl C. Dbl then 4 D. 2 then Pass E.  2 then Dbl F.  2 then 3

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© 2005 Richard Pavlicek