Bridge books reviewed - 54

"Reisinger Challenge" by Marshall Miles. From the introduction: "I was inspired to write this book by the excellent books of a similar nature written by Allan Falk and Hugh Kelsey. In all of their challenge matches, however, the scoring was in imps, which put a premium on finding the only chance (however remote) to make or assure your contract or the only chance to set the opponents. There is nothing wrong with that. For the most part, I prefer imp scoring myself. Nevertheless, I think the Reisinger, with board-a-match scoring, is the most challenging national event and the best single test of skill."

Unavailable at Amzon.co.uk

"Bridge is a Conversation: Part I: The Auction" by Gerard Cohen is a guide to bridge fundamentals for players who already have an understanding of the basics of the game and the desire to improve their competitiveness at the bridge table. The goal is not to teach how bridge systems are built, nor to describe their content, but rather to clarify how to use them the way the best players in the world do and to offer an alternative to simply "playing by the book." You will find the game much more interesting, challenging, and enjoyable than you ever dreamed it could be. The principles in this book are valid regardless of the bidding system used. In sixty years of playing bridge, author Gerard Cohen has observed many games of bridge, and he brings that knowledge to this guide. His observations of how his partners, opponents, and others play that make them outstanding are key to the thoughts included here. He looked for patterns, drew conclusions and developed general concepts that those who haven't reached the top level yet can learn and apply for a chance at competing with the best. Take your bridge game to the next level with Bridge Is a Conversation.

"Bridge at the Edge" by Boye Brogeland and David Bird is an in-depth ‘over-the-shoulder’ look at top-level bridge. While describing almost 200 deals that he played in World and European Championships, two of the world’s best players discuss bidding and cardplay, as well as their approach to the mental side of the game. A fascinating glimpse into the thought processes of a champion bridge player, as well as a look at state-of-the-art bidding methods, some of which are described here for the first time.
Boye Brogeland (Norway) has won both the World and European Championships, and is a regular participant in North American tournaments. David Bird is of course a well-established bridge author, perhaps best known for his bridge in the menagerie series.

In "Surviving Duplicate Bridge: The first 23.69 points", Kathleen Vishner shares with you the highs and lows of learning duplicate bridge while partnering with her ever-patient husband, Andy. Follow his attempts to teach her the game himself (not a good idea) and share the emotion that somehow escaped his notice when Kathy played her very first game.
    Come on along and experience again for yourself the initial shock of a penalty double or the bewilderment at the sheer number of rules that can be unwittingly broken. Peek behind the scenes to see the workings of some fabulous bridge clubs, and get the inside scoop on what directors really think of "slow play."
    And for you teachers out there—helpful "Hints" throughout the book will remind you of the beginner's mindset and suggest techniques to help students learn and become more comfortable with the game. Many illustrative bridge hands pinpoint typical areas of confusion and explain the reasoning behind the many misunderstandings of a less experienced player.
    This book tells a delightful story, always punctuated with humor, and one that can be appreciated by bridge players of all experience levels. So take off your shoes, put up your feet, and enjoy the read.

1. Have you read A Bridge to Simple Squeezes?
2. Did you see merit in the structured approach introduced in that book for executing simple squeezes?
3. Do you feel that in spite of your great effort you are still not finding squeezes?

If your answer is ‘YES’ to the above three questions, then "Still Not Finding Squeezes?" by Julian Laderman is the PERFECT book for you: In this book, sequel to the award-winning' A Bridge to Simple Squeezes' (2007), the structured approach is applied to the 39 squeeze examples that David Bird and Tim Bourke created for their book, Test Your Bridge Technique: The Simple Squeeze. These examples will give you the experience you need to include squeezes in your arsenal.

Marvin Finder has been an expert bridge player for over 70 years, and his new, different, original, simple, straight forward and clear bridge bidding system - "Innovations In Contract Bridge Bidding" will enable you and your partner to work as a team. Marvin developed Innovations over his years of bridge play out of a compelling desire to "fill in the gaps" he saw and experienced with standard bridge bidding conventions. With Innovations, you and your partner are able to give clear information to each other with your bids so you can get to the maximum bid possible (and also provide a much more powerful defense) in the most efficient way. You'll feel as though you and your partner are in "sync" - almost as though you're actually looking at each other's hands.

Unavailable at Amazon.co.uk

"More Accurate Bidding" by Marshall Miles is not a book for beginners, and will not bore you with rehashing things you already know. Some of the topics are somewhat controversial, and as always Marshall Miles urges his own, often original, point of view. Some of the topics discussed include: Game invitations after a raise of opener's major; Fast arrival and picture bids; When the opponents double a transfer or Stayman; Mini splinters; Rubens advances of overcalls;Playing in the opponents' suit; The Kaplan Interchange; and many more. As he often does, Miles ends the book with an "It's Your Call" bidding quiz, with detailed discussion of options and the rationale for his own choices. Marshall Miles (California), though now in his eighties, is still regarded as one of the world's leading bidding theorists. His long and successful playing career includes a World Senior Teams Championship in 2004, and his book How To Win at Duplicate Bridge is considered among the all-time classics on the game.

"The Amazing Queen: Winning With Your Queens" by Clement Wong. Written by a former captain of the Hong Kong Team and long-time bridge columnist, this is the first bridge book on winning by skillful bidding and play surrounding the queens—from queen camouflage to queen sacrifice (both real and sham) to queen defense—inspired by the author’s 1993 Bols Tip of Queening your Defence. Covers bidding, declarer play, opening leads and responses, exit cards, entries, and defense with strong trumps. Clear, to-the-point analyses of nearly 100 hands, many played by international experts.

Unavailable at Amazon.co.uk