Deutschland’s Vienna Coup

Few players are aware that the Vienna coup originated in Germany; in fact, my Uncle Wilhelm was the first to execute it. Playing in the Bonn Team Meisterschaft, Wilhelm was in a lowly contract of 2 , but five overtricks later, kibitzers swarmed for his autograph. At the other table the opposing team bid and made 6 but missed the overtrick, so Wilhelm’s brilliant play saved an IMP. Alas, poor Wilhelm is now making cuckoo clocks in the Black Forest.

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 July 2006 these problems were presented as a poll, with 1404 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.

Times have changed — moneys, too, as you can’t even spend a Deutschmark anymore.

But time is money! Spend a few minutes here to enrich your life. Yeah, right.

Problem 1

IMPs		N-S vul		You, South, hold:
West Pass	North 1	East 3	South ?	A K 3 A J 7 4 3 8 7 A J 3
			Your call? X* 3 NT 4  4  4 NT

*negative

Problem 2

IMPs		None vul		You, South, hold:
West Pass	North 2	East 1 Pass	South Dbl ?	A K 10 2 10 7 A 3 A K Q 10 2
			Your call? 2  2 NT 3  3 NT

Problem 3

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

Problem 4

IMPs		Both vul		You, South, hold:
West Pass Pass	North 1 2	East Pass Pass	South 2 ?	Q 6 5 6 4 A K Q J 10 7 5 4
			Your call? 3 * 4  4 NT 5  6

*artificial wait

Problem 5

IMPs		None vul		You, South, hold:
West	North 2 NT1	East Pass	South ?	10 8 7 6 3 5 3 2 Q 7 6 Q 4
1. 20-21			Response and rebid if 3 ?	A. Pass B. 3 (Stayman) C. 3 (Jacoby) then Pass D. 3 (Jacoby) then 3 NT E.  3 NT

Problem 6

IMPs		E-W vul		You, South, hold:
West Pass	North 1	East Pass Pass	South ? ?	Q J 9 A Q J 6 5 A Q 9 6 2
			Opening bid and rebid if 1 ?	A. 1 then 1 NT B. 1 then 2 C. 1 then 2 D. 1 then 3 E.  1 NT

 Click to see how you did

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© 2006 Richard Pavlicek