Auckland Solvers
10 bidding problems from one session. "What's new about that?" you may ask. Nothing!
What is new is that we are giving the problems to a panel of expert bidders and also throwing them to you, the readers, to
answer.... rather like we used to do when there was a Master Solvers Panel in "New Zealand Bridge Magazine".
What is also new is the timeframe as the answers will appear in two articles online on this site in the week beginning January 20th.
Since the problems all arose in one session of the Auckland New Year Pairs, we will call it "Auckland Solvers".
10 problems... with 10 marks for each problem...100 will be a very good score! Send your answers in by 19th January to this email address richardharoldsolomon@gmail.com
it would be great if we could receive more sets of answers from you the readers. Don't be shy. Have a go and compare your answers to what our expert panel think.
Here then are the problems. In each case, you are South and in each case, you are playing Pairs.
1. Dealer East. N/S Vul.
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| |
| ♠ |
— |
| ♥ |
A K 7 3 2 |
| ♦ |
A 9 7 4 3 2 |
| ♣ |
9 7 |
|
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| |
|
3 ♦ |
? |
2. Dealer North. N/S Vul.
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| ♠ |
5 |
| ♥ |
8 6 3 |
| ♦ |
A J 8 6 5 4 3 |
| ♣ |
J 6 |
|
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| |
1 ♦ |
Pass |
? |
(Note that2
is 10+ with diamonds, 3 and 4 are pre-emptive and 3
a constructive diamond raise)
3. Dealer East. E/W Vul
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| |
| ♠ |
K 10 7 4 3 |
| ♥ |
A K 10 7 6 2 |
| ♦ |
— |
| ♣ |
A 9 |
|
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| |
|
1 ♦ |
2 ♦ |
| 3 ♦ |
Dbl |
Pass |
? |
2 shows both majors Michaels style. Double shows value.
4. Dealer East. All Vul
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| ♠ |
7 3 |
| ♥ |
A J 4 |
| ♦ |
A K Q 6 |
| ♣ |
9 5 4 2 |
|
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| |
|
1 ♦ |
Pass |
| 1 ♥ |
1 ♠ |
2 ♦ |
? |
5. Dealer South. E/W Vul.
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|
| |
| ♠ |
A 7 3 |
| ♥ |
A 7 5 2 |
| ♦ |
A K 10 |
| ♣ |
K 7 5 |
|
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| |
|
|
1 ♣ |
| 2 ♣ |
3 ♣ |
3 ♠ |
3 NT |
| 4 ♠ |
Pass |
Pass |
? |
2 is Michaels style, constructive or better.
6. Dealer North. All Vul
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| |
| ♠ |
A 9 2 |
| ♥ |
A 8 3 |
| ♦ |
J 7 5 4 |
| ♣ |
7 6 3 |
|
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| |
1 ♦ |
1 ♥ |
1 NT |
| 2 ♥ |
3 ♣ |
Pass |
? |
7. Dealer North. Nil Vul.
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| |
| ♠ |
5 |
| ♥ |
5 |
| ♦ |
K 5 3 |
| ♣ |
A K J 9 7 5 3 2 |
|
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| |
1 ♠ |
Pass |
2 ♣ |
| 2 ♥ |
2 NT |
Pass |
? |
2NT shows 12-14 balanced
8. Dealer North. Vul N/S.
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|
| |
| ♠ |
J 10 9 5 4 |
| ♥ |
— |
| ♦ |
A 9 8 7 5 |
| ♣ |
A 7 3 |
|
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| |
2 ♦ |
Pass |
? |
2 shows 4-7 hcp and a 6 card major
9. Dealer North. Vul E/W.
| |
|
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|
|
|
|
| |
| ♠ |
— |
| ♥ |
K Q 10 8 6 5 4 3 2 |
| ♦ |
J 10 |
| ♣ |
8 2 |
|
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| |
2 ♣ |
Pass |
2 ♥ |
| Pass |
2 ♠ |
Pass |
3 ♥ |
| Pass |
3 NT |
Pass |
? |
2 is Game Forcing.
10. Dealer South. All Vul.
| |
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|
|
|
| |
| ♠ |
K Q 9 |
| ♥ |
K J 9 7 4 |
| ♦ |
A Q |
| ♣ |
A J 4 |
|
| West |
North |
East |
South |
| |
|
|
2 ♦ |
| 2 ♥ |
Pass |
Pass |
? |
2 is 20-21 balanced or a weak 2 in a major.
Richard Solomon
