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| In Varia we publish articles and puzzles that do not fit in any other section. This page always shows the most recent articles. To find the level of puzzles that suits you best: choose a number of stars in the bar above. |
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What is your bid?** (12)
| ♠ | A K 6 5 | | | ♥ | 10 6 | | | ♦ | A 9 6 3 | | | ♣ | A Q 8 | |
You open 1NT. What is your rebid over partner's response of 2♣ (Stayman), 2♦ (Jacoby-transfer), 2♥ (Jacoby-transfer), 2♠ (weak, long minor suit), 2NT (natural), 3♣ or 3♦ (both natural, slam invitational or stronger) respectively?
Read on
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The basis of the bidding (9)* |
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This bidding section is meant for beginners and those players who like to keep it simple. Test your knowledge. | N/All | | | | South 1 | South 2 | | | ♠ | Q 10 7 6 | ♠ | Q 10 8 5 | | | | ♥ | J 4 | ♥ | Q 7 | | | | ♦ | 9 2 | ♦ | Q 10 6 | |
| | ♣ | K J 8 5 4 | ♣ | K Q 9 7 | | |
| West | North | East | South |
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| 1♥ | pass | 1♠ | | pass | 2♦ | pass | ? |
What should South 1 bid? And South 2? |
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Solution
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The basis of the bidding (8)* |
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This bidding section is meant for beginners and those players who like to keep it simple. Test your knowledge. | W/All | | | | South 1 | South 2 | | | ♠ | Q J 8 4 2 | ♠ | A 10 8 2 | | | | ♥ | Q 8 4 | ♥ | K Q 10 | | | | ♦ | K 2 | ♦ | Q 10 9 7 | |
| | ♣ | 7 6 4 | ♣ | A 4 | | |
| West | North | East | South |
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| 1♣ | double | pass | ? |
What should South 1 and South 2 bid? |
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Solution
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Back-to-Back consists of two puzzles (A and B) on the same theme. Yesterday's puzzle 5A and today's puzzle 5B are about: Getting rid of a loser in the side suit | S/— | ♠ | 6 5 4 | | | | ♥ | A 6 3 | | ♦ | A 7 6 | | ♣ | 8 6 5 4 | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | ♠ | A K 3 2 | | | ♥ | K Q J 10 9 | | ♦ | 4 3 | | ♣ | K Q |
| West | North | East | South |
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| — | — | — | 1♥ | | pass | 1NT | pass | 2♠ | | pass | 4♥ | pass | pass | | pass | | | |
West leads the ♦K. How should South play? |
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Solution
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Back-to-Back consists of two puzzles (A and B) on the same theme. Here is puzzle 5A, followed tomorrow by 5B. Getting rid of a loser in the side suit S/—
| ♠ | 8 3 | | | | ♥ | 7 6 | | ♦ | K 5 3 2 | | ♣ | Q J 6 5 4 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ♠ | A K Q J 9 | | | ♥ | A K Q 3 2 | | ♦ | 4 | | ♣ | 8 3 |
| West | North | East | South |
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| — | — | — | 1♠ | | pass | 1NT | pass | 3♥ | | pass | 3♠ | pass | 4♥1 | | pass | 4♠ | pass
| pass
| | pass | | | |
1 It would be premature to assume that North now has more spades than hearts, or even equal length in the two suits! After all, North may have 2-3 in spades and hearts. With that holding he will give preference to spades (since South can have 5-4: in that case a spade contract in a 5-2 fit is superior to a heart contract in a 4-3 fit!). South's 4♥ bid now informs North that South has five hearts (and at least five spades). If North had given preference for spades with 2-3 in spades and hearts, he would now have passed 4♥
West leads the ♦Q. Declarer ducks in dummy and West continues with the ♦J. Again declarer ducks in dummy, East completing a 'come-on' signal. How should South play? |
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Solution
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| W/All | | | ♠ | 7 6 | | | ♥ | K J 9 8 | | | ♦ | A 10 6 5 | | | ♣ | K 9 6 | |
West opens met 1♣, 1♦, 1♥, 1♠ or 1NT (15-17) respectively.
Each and every time your partner doubles and East passes.
What is your bid as South? |
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Solution
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