Board 6. Dealer East. EW Game ª 9 5 © Q 2 ¨ A J 10 8 4 3 § 8 6 5 ª 8 3 2 ª K Q 6 © A 10 6 5 4 © K 9 ¨ 5 2 ¨ K Q 7 § Q 9 3 § A K 7 4 2 ª A J 10 7 4 © J 8 7 3 ¨ 9 6 § J 10

This is the sort of deal that makes good copy.

The normal thing is for East to declare 3NT, but the bidding may go in several different ways. South may never get a chance to bid - East may open 2NT. South may choose not to bid - although it is unlikely that any of today's stars would fail to overcall One Spade. South may overcall. South may overcall and a frisky North may get involved.

Whatever, South is almost certain to lead a spade, the jack or ten, according to system. How should declarer play?

Assuming the clubs break, the hand revolves around the location of the missing aces. If South has them both then there is no problem, declarer can simply win the first spade and set up a trick in diamonds.

If North has the ace of diamonds then declarer should duck the first spade.

If declarer elects to win the first spade, it does no harm to cash five rounds of clubs. On this particular deal that has a nasty effect on the South hand. In order to keep enough winners and guard the heart suit he has to release both his diamonds. Now three rounds of hearts will force him to present declarer with a second spade trick.

One declarer got away with winning the first spade, crossing to dummy with the ace of hearts, and playing a diamond. When North ducked, declarer had escaped unscathed.

Board 11. Dealer South. Love All ª K 9 6 © A 7 4 2 ¨ A § K Q 10 6 4 ª 8 ª Q J 10 7 © Q J 10 3 © K 9 8 5 ¨ K J 8 ¨ 10 9 2 § A J 8 7 5 § 3 2 ª A 5 4 3 2 © 6 ¨ Q 9 7 5 4 3 § 9

When South was doubled in Four Spades the contract was made in comfort, declarer playing on cross ruff lines. For some reason the ones who were not doubled usually went down, some by as many as three tricks.

Board 22. Dealer East. EW Game ª J 9 8 © Q 9 6 ¨ Q 9 8 § 10 9 7 3 ª A 10 6 4 ª K 7 5 3 © A J 10 © 7 4 ¨ A ¨ K 7 5 4 2 § A K J 6 4 § 8 2 ª Q 2 © K 8 5 3 2 ¨ J 10 6 3 § Q 5

One Heart promised a spade suit.

Five spades is high enough on these cards, especilly when the opening lead is a heart. Chagas played carefully to make his contract.

Do you think East had whatever West was asking for? If Six Spades had failed France would have surrended the final qualifying place to the Netherlands. Thanks to trumps breaking and the wonderful club position, declarer was able to survive the heart lead.