Challenge 8W89 Main Analyses

Deutschland’s Vienna Coup

by Richard Pavlicek

Many players are unaware that the Vienna coup originated in Germany; in fact, it was my Uncle Wilhelm who first executed the technique in the Bonn Team Meisterschaft. Contract was only 2 (bidding never interested him), but five overtricks later, kibitzers swarmed for his autograph. His brilliant play even saved an IMP, as the other declarer was in 6 making just six. 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. Object is to find the best call 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 (negative) 3 NT 4 4 4 NT

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 (artificial wait) 4 4 NT 5 6

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		Your reponse (and rebid if 3 )?		A. Pass B. 3 (Stayman) C. 3 (Jacoby), Pass D. 3 (Jacoby), 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

		Your opening bid (and rebid if 1 )?		A. 1 , 1 NT B. 1 , 2 C. 1 , 2 D. 1 , 3 E. 1 NT

Click to see how you did

Challenge 8W89 Main Analyses Scores Top Deutschland’s Vienna Coup