Cy the Cynic says that the world is no worse off than 50 years ago. It's just that the news coverage is better (and, I'd add, focused on the negative side of things).

Are bidding and play standards higher than in 1960? Most would say that bidding is more accurate, but the level of play is little changed. Declarers still make errors like the one in today's deal.

At 3NT, South won the first heart in dummy and let the queen of diamond ride. West casually played low, but when South led a diamond to his ten, West won and led another heart.

DOWN TWO

South won and took the A-K of clubs. When West discarded, South couldn't get to dummy to finesse against East's jack. Down two.

In the 1964 U.S. Team Trials, three declarers failed at 3NT. Successful declarers correctly won the first heart with the king and took the A-K of clubs. When West showed out, declarer led a low diamond and was sure to reach dummy to pick up the clubs. The defenders got three spades and a diamond.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: S 10 9 7 2 H A 7 5 D Q J 7 C 9 7 2. Your partner opens one club, you respond one spade and he bids two diamonds. What do you say?

ANSWER: Your partner has "reversed": He has longer clubs than diamonds plus a good hand. If he held 8 3, K 6, A K 10 5, A 8 6 4 3, he would bid 1NT at his second turn or would open one diamond. His two diamonds is forcing. You might try 2NT, but I'd suggest showing a tolerance for his first suit.

Bid three clubs.