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On Top of the World

by Richard Pavlicek

Such a feeling’s coming over me. There is wonder in most ev’rything I see. No, this is not a story about wonder bids, but a bidding poll on six problems from a past tournament. When and where? That’s my little secret for now, though you’re invited to guess from the clues. (You can rule out Mount Everest and the North Pole, he-he.) But don’t worry about that; just choose your calls as South.

In May of 2004 these problems were presented as a poll, with 1265 entrants from 118 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.

Not a cloud in the sky; got the sun in my eyes; and I won’t be surprised if it’s a dream… And the reason is clear; it’s because you are here; you’re the nearest thing to heaven that I’ve seen (OK, I lie a lot). Now start bidding, or I’ll sing another chorus.

Problem 1

IMPs		N-S vul		You, South, hold:

`West` Pass Pass	North Pass 1	`East` Pass Pass	South 1 ?	A Q 10 9 8 A K Q 6 A 8 6 2

			Your call? 2 2 2 NT 3 3 NT

Problem 2

IMPs		N-S vul		You, South, hold:

`West` Pass	North Pass 1	`East` 1 1 NT	South Dbl ?	A Q 10 7 5 A J 9 5 Q A Q 3

			Your call? Pass Dbl 2 2 2 3 4

Problem 3

IMPs		N-S vul		You, South, hold:

`West` Pass	North 1 2	`East` Pass Pass	South 1 ?	K 10 9 7 A J 6 5 5 A 9 5 3

			Your call? Pass 2 2 NT 3 3 3 NT 4

Problem 4

IMPs		None vul		You, South, hold:

`West` Pass Pass	`North` 2 ¹ 4	`East` 1 Pass Pass	`South` 2 3 ?	A 5 2 A 6 J 10 A Q 10 9 8 7

1. general force			Your call? 4 4 4 NT 5 5 5 NT* 6

*pick a slam

Problem 5

IMPs		None vul		You, South, hold:

`West` Pass Pass	`North` 1 2 NT	`East` Pass Pass	`South` 2 ?	Q 10 5 2 — A Q J 10 7 3 2 K 10

			Your call? 3 3 3 3 NT 4 * 4 5

*Gerber

Problem 6

IMPs		Both vul		You, South, hold:

West Pass	North 1	East Pass 1	South Pass ?	9 8 2 J 8 6 3 — Q 10 9 7 4 3

			Your call? Pass Dbl 1 2 3 * 4 5

*limit raise

Click to see how you did

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