2 comments about Doubles (Official Better Bridge).

1. Very thorough and informative. Lots of examples. This knowledge will put you way ahead with your partnerships for modern day doubles.
   
   I love the Better Bridge Series by Audrey Grant. Always understandable.



2. As always, this book by Audrey Grant is a winner. It adds to the skills acquired in her previous books and gives insights into some things that you normally don't think about.

1 comments about Better Rebidding with Bergen (Points Schmoints Series).

1. I like all the examples, its a lot more useful than "here is a rule, go follow it".
   
   Fun to read, clear, concise.
   
   I like most of Marty Bergens books, but a few are filled with too much "filler" and you end up paying $7 for what other books would cover in 30 pages.
   
   This is a great books for EVERYONE below expert.

5 comments about Play Gin To Win.

1. It has been over a year since I made some comments about my book.
   Since then I have gone from winning at 68% to 73% and continue to be the leading percentage player in World Play Case's Ladder, and no one has broken my 37 game winning streak record. Charley Killebrew



2. I found this book to be frustrating, mostly because it becomes apparent that while the author enjoys the challenge of pulling one over on a live opponent, this book is really the author doing the same thing to the consumer. I agree with the other reviewer who was put off by the overly large type. I also note the consumer clip art on the cover. I should have known better.
   
   The book is edited and published by the author's friend. I am sure Mr. Killebrew is an interesting person and a pleasure to be around. Why else would so many people enjoy playing him and getting beaten by him? But the impression I get is one of a sleazy braggart of a con-artist. A small publishing house is fine, but usually there is a reason a regular publishing company does not pick up one's manuscript: it just isn't quite good enough. Looking at the other items Swan Pub. and his editor Pete Billac has come out with, they almost all involve the same things about which we get spammed. Having read the Bicycle books on hearts and spades by Joseph Andrews, one sees how a book on a card game should be written.
   
   I was also lured in by the positive reviews. I should have listened to the negatives this time. I should have noted that several of the glowing reviews are written by the author (ckill2015). I also note that the anonymous reviews were written soon after the book's publication, many of which were posted on the same day.
   
   As to the quality, there just isn't much here, certainly not enough to justify a $9.95 price tag. Gin Rummy is not THAT complicated a game to warrant an extensive treatise, but Gin Rummy How to Play and Win, in fewer pages and with a much lower price, covers FAR more information on the game, variations and strategy. This book covers a lot of the author reminiscing about himself and his life and how wonderful a player he is.
   
   To echo the problem with the chapter on "Percentages," it is true the book doesn't deal with it. It is also the second shortest chapter in the book at nearly a page and a half. However, on the back of the book the first item in the list of "Learn How To" features is "Play Percentages." That's just false advertising, also known as lying. My apologies for being too personal here, but since he brings it up in the "about the author" section, I expect better of a Marine.
   
   There are good points to the book: his chapter on cheating is interesting; he does offer good advice on playing a live opponent, and after all the smack-talk similar to the play of bid-whist, he does offer excellent advice on courtesy.
   
   Nor am I one for political correctness, but something about this line just rubs me the wrong way and is indicative of the whole book: "Against the very good players (the ones who play the game as I play it) you have to maintain discipline and never give in to hunches or impulses. I know this is useless information to give to female players because their intuition is so much more acute than mine is..."
   
   At $9.95, this book is far too expensive for what one gets. The practical advice could fit nicely into a well-thought-out brochure. Please leave out the extensive writing on the "card gods" and use of telepathy and telekinesis. I would rather have learned from and lost to the author in person than been cheated by this book.



3. This guy may be a good gin player, but he's really full of himself.
   
   His advice is excessively basic.
   
   Also, he admits that he cheats at cards for money.
   
   Finally, reading this book will not make you a good gin player.



4. I am a poker player, and I am used to read the very best books about gambling (mostly from twoplustwo publishing). This book striked me as being very unprofessional, compared to what I am used to.
   
   The author brings out fallacious ideas like you have to "think about the card you want and it will make you more likely to get it". This won't help the author's credibility. A good publisher would have never let him publish such non-sense.
   
   Also, the overall tone of the writing does not inspire confidence. I was not looking for a novel, but I like it when the author sounds professional.
   
   I am not in good position to judge the rest of the book. But that's the scary part! I won't be able to tell the good from the bad!
   
   
   I only recommend that book because I couldn't find many other books about Gin. I advise the reader too be cautious reading this book.



5. i would've given the book 5 stars if it had more pages with illustrations and quiz material.
   yep, he seems to be full of himself. doesn't need to be. just get the material across and the book sales will come.
   the illustrations were clear as well as the layout of the book too. he can thank his publishers for that.

No comments about Wielding the Axe.

2 comments about Misplay These Hands With Me.

1. Mark Horton's MISPLAY THESE HANDS WITH ME is for intermediate to advanced bridge players and comes from the lessons of one Terence Reese, one of the greatest bridge writers of all. The focus on logical lines of play that end in failure analyzes faulty moves and illustrates common problems.



2. This is a very well written book of bridge hands played by the author, and he misplays every one. The title, of course, is a takeoff on Reese's book in which Reese explains proper technique for making one's contracts. Horton has a flair for writing, and a good self-deprecating humor. For the average bridge player, Horton's play of the cards would seem reasonable, and most of us would be happy to do that well. But Horton demonstrates that with a little bit more thought, the contracts could have been made, or at least you wouldn't have been off as many tricks.
   
   Interestingly, after a while, I found the book a little depressing. You've been reading through some of the problems, and you go to the next, and you know it's a 100% certainty that he's going to blow the contract. It's rather like reading about people in a group who are about to die in a terrible plane crash, with a well-written description of the last seconds of each of the people. Perversely, I found that I wanted to see a few hands where he made the contract, but without taking the available overtrick: at duplicate, this can be as bad as going down--but at least the contract would be made. If I were playing the hand against experts I'd no doubt be delighted to even make my contract.
   
   This book also reminded me of Mollo's fabulous menagerie: his menagerie books presented you with perfectly reasonable ways of playing hands, but which turned out to be wrong ("Curious hand: both sides can make 4 hearts"). So if you enjoy this book, as you should, and you have not yet discovered Mollo, discover him!

5 comments about Medicine Woman.

1. I first encountered this deck at a local book shop in a sample display. I immedietaly fell in love with it. I went to the counter to buy it and they were out of stock. I then went on a search for this deck, going to all the book sellers and magical shops aroound, they were all out of stock, I was told numerous times that it was not a popular deck so they didnt carry it all the time. I then started calling stores 60 miles away looking for it, finally I found it and couldnt be happier.
   This deck is simple, nourishing, wise, gentle, beautiful, peaceful, authentic, and filled with grace. Anyone on the wise woman path or path of gentle wisdom will find this deck valueable.



2. tarot decks are incredibly personal, but this speaks to my soul. it actually called to me while i was looking for runes in a metaphysical shop years ago. life fell apart, i fell apart, and now i've reconnected to it. i'd recommend this deck to anyone seriously into the tarot. prolly not for beginners tough. but if it speaks to you at all, than this is a must have.



3. The Medicine Woman cards are great. I recieved them in perfect condition. Thankyou!!



4. I have both the Medicine Woman cards as well as the book, and I am very happy with them. I have used them to gain insights and it is very useful. I highly recommend the cards and book to anyone.



5. much loved deck of Tarot is this one that started with me in my first days as a Tarot reader and helped me spread love joy and medicine to so many. I had already 3 decks like that who ragged out and then I tried another deck but I missed the beautiful pictures and the warm feeling they bring - such nice kind loving approach is the only one that a good reader can take to their journey and reflect so wonderful from this unique deck. Oh if you feel like trying me with this one you can always contact me at: www.bitwine.com/advisors/theinfinitemind.

5 comments about Understanding 1NT Forcing.

1. Be sure you and your partner agree on how to play this convention. This book offers lots of helpful examples. Many critical situations are discussed. A thorough partnership understanding will help you to attain better scores.



2. Lots of examples.
   Well suited for someone learning 2/1
   
   (Note: there is NO raeson to use a forcing NT in SAYC. You give up playing in 1NT with the benefit of the 2/1 being a game force)



3. this publication covers most 1nt situations. highly useful to agree with partner and avoiding arguments!



4. It is very easy to understand with good examples. If you want to larn the 2/1 bidding convention this is a great help.



5. This is great book on 1nt forcing. Each chapter deals with different types of bid and how to rebid them. I got 2 of these books and share it with friends who are trying to learn 1nt forcing.Must have!! Of course I am a huge fan of Bergen and got all his books!

2 comments about The Encyclopedia of Card Play Techniques at Bridge.

1. Originally published in France in 2005, The Encyclopedia of Card Play Techniques at Bridge is an in-depth guide to the card game of bridge featuring over 800 deals and diagrams. The Encyclopedia of Card Play Techniques at Bridge is not intended for beginners, but rather intermediate to advanced bridge players seeking to improve their skills. The step-by-step, play-by-play discussions are sure to offer insights to even the most veteran gamers, in this absolute "must-have" resource for bridge enthusiasts.



2. Covers of play via example for each technique. Each example is to the point with minimum verbiage. Range is encyclopedic. Good reference.

1 comments about The Complete Book of Duplicate Bridge.

1. this book might be a little outdated, but i did some research and the experts regard it as essential to one's collection. i havent used it as much as i expected, but i guess convention books are more interesting to me at this point. but, i'm glad to have it around, and might find i learn a whole lot if i can find time to devote to it!

1 comments about Teach Me to Play: A First Bridge Book.

1. By far the most interesting and challenging of all card games, bridge is enjoying renewed popularity following a decline from it's peak several decades ago and is currently under consideration as an Olympic sport. As an activity for children, it provides the opportunity to develop numerous skills and attributes beyond sheer intellectual stimulation. It requires such social skills as communication and cooperation with a partner as well as respect for one's opponents. Likewise it develops personal abilities such as how to think and perform under pressure and demands an honest assessment of one's assets and liabilities. There are hundreds of bridge books on the market written for adults, including easily a dozen for beginners, but only one that is designed for children. Fortunately, it's a good one. This book leads the reader through the game step by step and takes nothing for granted, not even the fact of there being four suits in a deck of 52 cards. However, don't think for a minute that it's simplistic or that teaching is by rote. On the contrary, it presents the material in such a way that the reader actually understands the game rather than just learns the rules. Anybody who learns the material in this book - adult or child - will not only be a better bridge player than the party bridge players he or she encounters, but will be well on the way to becoming a serious duplicate bridge player.