Six Against The Rock

Alcatraz! Isolated in the cold, turbulent waters of San Francisco Bay, the infamous prison now sleeps. From 1934 to 1962, “The Rock” was a Federal Penitentiary, housing the most notorious criminals, such as Al Capone and “Machine Gun” Kelly. Heralded as “inescapable,” the daring epithet was challenged many times, the bloodiest attempt being in 1946, which was depicted in the 1987 film Six Against The Rock.

Apparently it proved to be true, as no one ever escaped — at least according to official records. Bodies of many who tried, however, were never recovered but only declared dead, presumably from drowning. This certainly gives pause to wonder if any of them actually made it.

Now it’s your turn to escape from The Rock. Plan your moves carefully on these six problems, or you may be declared dead. Choose your play from the options listed, each of which will be rated on a 1-to-10 scale per my judgment.

Bidding is standard (unless noted). Opponents use standard leads and signals.
For a reference see Standard American Bridge. Assume all players are experts.

In April 2006 these six problems were presented as a contest with 1056 entrants from 115 locations. The contest is closed, but you can still quiz yourself and find your score immediately. If you’re lucky, you might even win a valuable prize.*

*Prizes include a four-star luxury cell at nearby San Quentin (still open for business) complete with semiprivate toilet and cell phone.
Winners must be at least 18 years of age with a felony record. Employees of PavCo Mafia Enterprises are ineligible.

Oh no! Your escape attempt has been detected, and the sirens are blaring.

There’s only one chance: Hit the water and swim!

Problem 1

IMPs	4 3			West	North	East	South
None vul	K J 9 6			LHO	Partner	RHO	You
	Q 9 8 2				Pass	Pass	1
	K 3 2			Pass	2	Pass	4
				Pass	Pass	Pass
Lead: 7		East plays 3
	Q J 9
	A Q 10 4 2
	A 5 4
4 South	A J

Your play?

A. Win 9, lead spade to queen
B. Win 9, lead spade to nine
C. Win 9, A, K, ruff club high
D. Win 10, 9, lead spade to queen
E.  Win 10, lead diamond to queen
F.  Win 10, lead diamond to nine

Problem 2

IMPs	A J 2			West	North	East	South
N-S vul	A K J 2			LHO	Partner	RHO	You
	A K 4					1 NT	Pass
	J 5 2			Pass	Dbl	Pass	2
				Pass	3	Pass	4
Lead: 10		East wins Q		Pass	Pass	Pass
	K 9 8 7 6 5
	4 3
	J 10 8
4 South	6 4

East continues K-A (West plays 7-3) and you ruff low. What next?

A. Win A, K, lead spade
B. Win A, K, A-K, ruff heart
C. Win A, lead J and duck queen
D. Finesse the J
E.  Win A-K, ruff heart
F.  Win A-K, lead diamond

Problem 3

IMPs	A J 10 8			West	North	East	South
E-W vul	Q 3			LHO	Partner	RHO	You
	10 9 8 7 2						1 NT
	K Q			Pass	2	Pass	2
				Pass	3 NT	Pass	Pass
Lead: 5		East covers Q with K		Pass
	9 4 2
	A 6 4
	A Q 3
3 NT South	A J 10 5

East returns 10, then 8, as you hold up until the third round.
What do you pitch from dummy, and what next?

A. Pitch 10, win A
B. Pitch 10, win K, finesse Q
C. Pitch 10, win K, run 10
D. Pitch 2, run 9
E.  Pitch 2, lead spade to jack
F.  Pitch 2, lead spade to eight

Problem 4

IMPs	8 6			West	North	East	South
Both vul	K 5 3 2			LHO	Partner	RHO	You
	K J			Pass	Pass	Pass	1
	K J 6 4 3			1	Dbl	Pass	4
				Pass	Pass	Pass
Lead: Q		East plays 2
	A K 7 3
	Q 10 9 7
	A Q 10 9
4 South	2

After winning the A, what next?

A. Lead the Q
B. Lead 7 to the king
C. Win K, lead heart to queen
D. Win K, lead heart to 10
E.  Lead 2 to the king
F.  Lead 2 to the jack

Problem 5

IMPs	K 6 4 3			West	North	East	South
Both vul	K 8 4 2			LHO	Partner	RHO	You
	Q 7 3 2					1	2
	Q			Pass	2 NT	3	5
				Pass	Pass	Pass
Lead: 9		East plays 10
	J 2
	—
	A K 5 4
5 South	A K J 10 9 8 7

You play low from dummy and ruff in hand. What next?

A. Duck a spade
B. Win A-K-J-10, duck spade
C. Win A, all trumps
D. Win Q, lead spade to jack
E.  Win Q, ruff heart, win all trumps
F.  Win Q, ruff heart, win A-K-J, A-K

Note: Trumps split 2-1.

Problem 6

IMPs	A K 8 6 5			West	North	East	South
N-S vul	A 5 3			LHO	Partner	RHO	You
	8 3						1
	A 6 2			2	2	Pass	3 NT
				Pass	4	Pass	6
Lead: 10				Pass	Pass	Pass
	J
	Q 4 2
	A K Q J 10 9
6 South	K 7 4

Your play?

A. Win A, lead 5 and pitch heart
B. Win A, ruff spade, win all trumps
C. Win A, four trumps, duck heart
D. Win A, five trumps, duck heart
E.  Win A, all trumps
F.  Duck the first trick

Note: All follow to the first trump lead.

 Click to see how you did

Challenge 8X73 Main Analyses

Scores Top Six Against The Rock

Acknowledgments to the 1987 film by Koch Vision Studios
© 2006 Richard Pavlicek