Bridge books reviewed - 32

"Innovative Slam Bidding" by Irwin S. Landow teaches you new (2009) techniques to find slams including four new slam conventions. Computer analysis was used to develop these conventions together with the best 2 Club opening, responses and continuations. The book is fully illustrated with many practice examples and will help you find more slams and win more tournaments.

(Paperback)

(Hardcover)

So you've arrived in a slam contract (possibly with the aid of one of the above books). The question now is, how do you play it. In "How to Play (and Misplay) Slam Contracts" Fred Karpin takes you through the logical steps to make your slam contract and how to avoid the pitfalls.
This book features the biggest, most exciting moments in contract bridge - and how they were handled by experts such as Oswald Jacoby, Marshall Miles, Charles J. Solomon, Alphonse Moyse, Jr., Helen Sobel, Barbara Tepper, Alfred Sheinwold and many others.

"Bridge Play from A to Z" by George Sturgis Coffin is a reprint of a classic in which each letter of the alphabet is represented by appropriate hands. The book contains deals and material not found elsewhere, and G.Coffin is a master of endplays! This is definitely one of the best books on play and is aimed at the intermediate - advanced player.
This is a better and more comprehensive book on play of the cards than most others, covering perfect plays and match point ways, double dummy bridge and endplays. If you get a chance, pick up anything by George S.Coffin.

"The Setting Trick" by Australian expert Ian McCance is a book of problems in defensive cardplay. The deals are selected from real events, providing the reader the unique experience of being up against a declarer who will not always play perfectly. And that means that for once in a problem book, you're not up against a declarer who will always play perfectly. Indeed, sometimes the point of the problem is to take advantage of the opportunity that a slip by declarer has given you. As implied by the title, the book's emphasis throughout is on defeating the contract.

The last two decades have brought a great advance in the standard of card-play, both at club and tournament level. Although many players feel confident in their ability to deal with the routine problems they may encounter at the bridge table, there are still certain areas that can be classified as 'blind spots' - areas in which only the expert can be expected to make the right move at the right time. In addressing these particular areas, the authors of "Miracles of Card Play" and "Unholy Tricks" pass on their experience of professional competitive play. In "Bridge: Tricks of the Trade" by David Bird and Terence Reese includes useful information and tips on strategy which aims to show the average player how to play declarer and defensive hands the expert way.

"Becker on Bridge" by B. Jay Becker is a compendium of advice for the improving player from one of North America's best-known bridge teachers and writers. Each tip is quite sizeable, 3-4 pages in length, but the reader can dip in briefly and still take away an important idea. As well as the usual sections on bidding, play and defense, the author includes much advice on the psychological aspects of the game, including how to be a good partner. The book contains over 80 bridge hands personally selected by B. Jay Becker that each demonstate a crucial point of winning bridge. Covering defense and play, these hands will aid the bridge player in making the right descisions.

“Duplicate Bridges” by Esther Cleveland is a book with special meanings for duplicate bridge players. In the game as in life, you have real bridges to cross and can relate to their challenges. Bridges are made for people to get from one place to another, usually to avoid dangerous terrain. Some are visibly safe and others are questionable - Having a warning sign on them. Some are uncharted and you don't know what to expect, but someone on the other side is urging you to cross. The main decision is whether to trust that other person. Promises may be great, but should I take the chance? Find out about her adventures and decisions in Duplicate Bridges.

"Winning Tricks: A Bridge Book for the Average Player" by John Brown.
'This is a very readable book covering a wide range, and the average player who is prepared to profit fron the lessons taught will find that his bridge has become a much more consistently successful game' (The Times).
'The subject matter is first rate throughout and the hands form about the most interesting and constructive that I have ever seen' (S. J. Simon - The Observer)
"Winning Defence" is a similar John Brown book.

Winning Tricks	Winning Defence

"Brilliancies and Blunders in the European Bridge Championship" by Terence Reese describes many of the important and humerous momemts at the 1991 championships, Killarney, Ireland. This book was written from day to day as the tournament progressed. Not a word has been altered or added in light of subsequent events. Interesting hands and reading.

Unavailable at Amazon.co.uk

Vol 1 - General bridge.

The Biggest Little Bridge Book in the World. 2003 Edition. A stand alone text covering all aspects of bidding and play. Text revised to include modern bidding styles.

Vol 2 - Play and Defence in Suit Contracts.

It provides, in very concise form, most of the answers to your questions as you advance in your knowledge of the game. The mastery of the fundamentals is, and continues to be, of first rate importance for all bridge players. The book includes: Importance of Trick One, Counting Losers, Trumping Losers in Dummy, The Double Finesse, Eight Ever Nine Never, Percentages, Scoring, Chicago Scoring and much more.

Vol 3 - Play and Defence in No Trump Contracts

Unavailable at Amazon.co.uk

Vol 4 - Conventions and bidding

Explains basic conventions in modern bridge bidding, including: Stayman, Jacoby Transfer, Texas Transfers, Gerber, Limit Raises, Strong Two Club Openings, Reverses, Landy, Brozel, Capelletti, DONT, Michael's Cue Bid, and many more.

Unavailable at Amazon.co.uk