Congratulations to Earle Fergusson, top reader for February with a score of 49. Way to go Earle! Two panelists had perfect scores of 50, David Grainger and Mike Hargreaves.
The February contest was designed for the up-and-coming duplicate player. While the panel of experts generally found the problems relatively straight forward, the newer players might have found some of the concepts eye-opening.
Play along! It is easy to enter. Email your answers to the April problems to Neil Kimelman at editor@cbf.ca, by March 15th.
April Problems
Host: Stephen Cooper
1. IMPs. Dealer: West, N-S vul. As South, you hold:
♠ — ♥ A 9 8 7 3 ♦ 7 4 2 ♣ 10 9 8 4 3
| West | North | East | South |
| Pass | 1♣ | 1♦ | ? |
Note: These are your agreements:
– Double = Transfer to hearts, like a standard 1♥.
– 2♥ = Fit showing, 5+ hearts, forcing only to 3♣.
– 3♣ = Preemptive.
What is your call?
2. IMPs. Dealer: North, Both vul. As South, you hold:
♠ A K 4 2 ♥ 6 5 ♦ A K Q J 9 6 3 ♣ —
| West | North | East | South |
| Pass | 3♠ | 4♥ | ? |
What is your call?
3. IMPs. Dealer: North, E-W vul. As South, you hold:
♠ J 7 ♥ A 10 6 5 3 ♦ 7 5 3 2 ♣ 6 3
| North | East | South | |
| Pass | 1♣ | ? |
What is your call?
4. MPs. Dealer: South, neither vul. As South, you hold:
♠ J 7 5 ♥ K J 6 ♦ A J 8 6 ♣ A 7 5
| West | North | East | South |
| 1♦ | |||
| 3♠ | Dbl1 | Pass | ? |
Dbl1 : Promises invitational or better values.
What is your call?
5. MPs. Dealer: North, neither vul. As South, you hold:
♠ 8 6 5 3 ♥ A K 10 4 3 2 ♦ 5 2 ♣ J
| West | North | East | South |
| 1♠ | Pass | ? |
a) What is your call?
b) Might you stop short of game?