Although attention is naturally concentrated at the top of the rankings, there is plenty of good bridge going on elsewhere. Here is a board that featured a sound knowledge of partnership methods at one table and excellent defence at the other.

Dealer South. Game All 8 6 2 A J 10 9 10 9 5 A 3 2 J 9 4 K 10 7 3 3 2 K Q 7 5 K 4 A Q 6 3 Q 10 9 8 7 4 6 A Q 5 8 6 4 J 8 7 2 K J 5 West North East South Buze Banaszkiewiz Pass Pass 1 Dble Rdble All Pass!

Has your partnership discussed this sequence?

Would you be confident that West really wanted to defend 1 redoubled? East was in no doubt, and North's third in hand opening was harshly treated as there was no way for declarer to arrive at more than 6 tricks. -400 At the other table, the Chodorowskas found an effective defence to West's contract of 1NT.

The opening lead of a spade was allowed to run to West's jack. A heart was played to the queen and when that held declarer returned to hand with the K to run the 9. South won with the queen and switched to the K! Declarer could scarcely be blamed for going wrong on the next round when South continued with the 5. North took the Q with the ace and played the jack of hearts. Declarer was now booked for one down, -100.