ESOTERICA
Puzzles
These problems follow the rules of bridge but do not have direct practical application. The small band of enthusiasts who enjoy grappling with such challenges includes a few eccentrics who believe that studying these examples improves at-the-table performance.
Puzzle # 1 1965 Contest Problem #1
Puzzle # 2 The Case of the Doubleton Jacks
Puzzle # 3 Little Things Mean A Lot
Puzzle # 4 1965 Contest Problem #2
Puzzle # 5 A Simple Squeeze
Puzzle # 6 1965 Contest Problem #3
Puzzle # 7 Big Cassino and Little Cassino
Puzzle # 8 The Decision Squeeze
Puzzle # 9 Vise Squad
Puzzle #10 The Case of the Delayed Entry
Puzzle #11 1966 Contest Problem #1
Puzzle #12 Inferential Problem
Puzzle #13 1966 Contest Problem #2
Puzzle #14 1966 Contest Problem #3
Puzzle #15 Inferential Problem
Puzzle #16 A Miracle of Rare Device
Puzzle #17 The Eight of Swords
Puzzle #18 Inferential Problem
Mysteries
These oddball or unusual problems are open questions, old or new, in search of new or better solutions. Readers have already provided some answers or improvements on earlier results in several cases. You can try your own detective skills, then compare with what others have done. Perhaps you will be a new record-setter yourself.
We will continually add to the discussions and solutions as progress in solving each mystery occurs. To propose a solution, add information, or contribute to the discussion, click here to contact the Editorial Department.
Mystery #1: Slams with Minimal Trump Holdings
Mystery #2: More Than Meets The Eye
Mystery #4: Ulam's Problem Revisited
Mystery #5: Squeeze to Unblock a Suit
Mystery #6: The Fourteen Total Switches
Mystery #7: The Original Switch Problem
Articles
The articles that appear here are of merit, but are too weird, too wacky, too obscure, too narrow, too technical, or too long to be suitable for publication elsewhere.
Perfect Bidding by Don Kersey
TSAR by Jeff Rubens
A New Approach to Double Clash Squeeze by Xiaobo Zhang
The Bulgarian Squeeze, A Sure-Trick Problem by Manol Iliev
On Queen-Jack-Low opposite Ace-Fifth by Mark Thompson
Higher Order Throw-Ins by Johan Wastlund
King-Queen-Nine-Eight-Sixth Opposite Singleton Ten by Jon Matthew Farber
Theory of the Play of a Suit at Bridge by Joël Bradmetz
Unlimited Fit-Jumps by Dimiter Zlatanov
Beall Competitive Structure after a Two-Level Overcall by Ron Beall
A Little Night Arithmetic by Jeff Rubens
Bridge Rating System for Partnerships by John Curley
An Open Letter to the World Bridge Federation from Mike Becker
The World Bridge Federation's Response to Mike Becker's Letter
A Modified Long Suit Evaluator by Stig Holmquist
A Modified Long Suit Evaluator Updated by Stig Holmquist
REVEAL Controls by Marvin L. French
Still Not Cricket by J.J. Gass
One Diamond—One of a Major... by Denis Lesage
After a Major-Suit Opening by Denis Lesage
After a Major-Suit Opening, II by Denis Lesage
Limiting Opener's One Diamond — Two Clubs Sequence by Denis Lesage
ILLIZZAG, II by Denis Lesage
Fixing Puppet Stayman by Denis Lesage
Distribution Symbols and Signals by Bruce Watson
The Law of Total Levels by Aimin Yang
Trump Compound Squeezes by Aimin Yang
After Our One-Heart Opening by Denis Lesage
More-Efficient Responses to One Notrump by Denis Lesage
Finding Fits at a Lower Level by Denis Lesage
Superior Stopper Showing by Denis Lesage
The Quest by Frank Stewart
Puppet Without Garbage by Denis Lesage
Puppet Without Garbage, II by Denis Lesage
Some New Ideas Concerning The Law of Total Tricks by David Promislow
Breedge (and a variety of bridges) by Lukasz Pikier Sławinski
What is Signified by High-Card Points? by Andrzej Matuszewski
Minor-Suit Inventions in Detail by Allan DeSerpa
More Squeezes Against Extensions by Imre András
Transformer by Tuomo Väliaho
Toucan by Ron Beall
This section is devoted to weird, wild, and wacky material for bridge friends, lovers of arcana, pursuers of special interests, and anyone intrigued with a particular facet of the game of bridge.