Law Bids Are in Mutiny

The Law of Total Tricks is facing global mutiny. Are we supposed to believe “Following the Law” by Larry Cohen, or “I Fought the Law” by Lawrence and Wirgren? Stop press! I will rescue the bridge world by introducing my own personal bidding strategy. Simple! If a bid doesn’t work, I just don’t show up to compare scores. It’s all explained in my latest book, “What Law? I’m Outta Here!”

These problems are from a past tournament, which you might be able to guess from my clues; but don’t worry about that. As South, simply select your call.

In May 2006 these problems were presented as a poll, with 1533 entrants from 125 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.

Remember: There is no Law this month!

If you make a bid that turns sour, you still score 10. (Yeah, sure.)

Problem 1

IMPs		E-W vul		You, South, hold:
West Pass	North Pass 2	East Pass Pass	South 1 ?	A K 10 9 7 4 A 8 3 K 4 Q 2
			Your call? 2 NT 3  3  3  3  3 NT 4

Problem 2

IMPs		None vul		You, South, hold:
West	North 1 NT	East Pass	South ?	A K J 5 10 8 6 8 7 3 8 6 3
			Your call? Pass 2  2 * 2 NT 3 NT

*transfer

Problem 3

IMPs		None vul		You, South, hold:
West Dbl	North Pass	East 2	South 1 ?	A Q J 9 7 5 4 — K Q 5 3 K 8
			Your call? Pass Dbl 3  3  4

Problem 4

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

*regular Blackwood **pick a slam

Problem 5

IMPs		E-W vul		You, South, hold:
West Pass	North Pass	East 1	South ?	Q J 7 6 — J 3 2 A Q 10 4 3 2
			Your call? Pass Dbl 1  2  2 * 3

*Michaels

Problem 6

IMPs		N-S vul		You, South, hold:
West Pass Dbl Pass	North 1 3 3 NT	East Pass Pass Pass	South 1 ? ?	8 7 6 5 3 A J 8 6 4 3 K J —
			Your two calls?	A. 3 then Pass B. 3 then 4 C. 3 then 4 D. 3 then Pass E.  3 then 4 F.  3 then 4

 Click to see how you did

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© 2006 Richard Pavlicek