GreatCanadianBidding-FRIn the August issue of Bridge Canada, you can review the problems of the last contest, and read the experts’ analysis. The panelists did very well on a tough set, with Andy Stark and Nick L’Écuyer leading the field with 48.

Ashot Harutyunyan and Fred Lerner had the top readers scores for August, with 45, followed closely by Brian Delong with 44. Fred also had the top combined June-August scores, and will receive $100. Ashot and Sheldon Spier tied for 2nd and will split $50.

Play along! Enter the contest by e-mailing your answers for the October problems below to Neil Kimmelman (editor@cbf.ca) by September 7th, with the chance to win cash prizes. Scores and expert analysis will be included in the October issue of Bridge Canada, along with a look back at the first four years of the contest.

Have fun!

October Problems

Host: Ray Hornby

1. IMPs, neither vul. As South, you hold:

♠ 4 2  A Q  A K J 9 8  A K 8 2

West North East South
1
1 31 Dle2 ?

1 Preemptive, typically with 5 trump
2 Responsive

Why you didn’t open 2NT (or 2  followed by 2NT) is anybody’s guess, but here you are. What call do you make?

2. IMPs, N-S vuln. As South you hold:

♠ A 9 5    A 5  K 9 8 5 3 2    K 6

West North East South
2♠ Dbl Pass ?

a) What call do you make?
b) What call would you make if RHO had bid 3♠ instead of passing?

3. Matchpoints, both vuln. As South you hold:

♠ —  K 8 7 6 4 3 2  A K 8  A K 7

West North East South
Pass 1
Pass 1♠ ?

What call do you make?

4. IMPs, both vul. As South, you hold:

♠ K Q 10 9 5 3   Q J 9 4  A 2  4

West North East South
1 Pass 1♠
2 Pass Pass ?

What call do you make?

5. IMPs, both vul. As South, you hold:

♠ K  Q 10 7  A 10 2   A K Q 8 7 4

West North East South
1
Pass 1 Pass ?

a) What call do you make?
b) If you rebid 3, partner bids 3 natural. Now what?
c) If you instead choose a 2NT rebid, partner bids 3 showing 5 diamonds and 4 hearts. And now?