Dummy tends to get a rather raw deal. Ordered to be quiet, he or she has to sit in silence, quite literally, as partner makes a hash of yet another hand which looks remarkably easy from across the table...

However, Dummy can be incredibly useful - if you are defending - by indicating how Declarer can be thwarted.

The crucial role of Dummy in determining the best strategy for defence tends to be overlooked as players focus on opening leads, signals and discards.

But in his excellent booklet on defence,  Andrew Robson devotes seven pages to the topic - for a very good reason. Here's what he has to say (you can buy the booklet via www.andrewrobson.co.uk)