2 comments about Bridge In 3 Weeks.

1. Every other beginners bridge book focuses teaching bridge via memorization. This book, by contrast teaches you to THINK. It shows you the logic that underlies the "rules" the other books focus on. More importantly, because it focuses on the logic, it does not have to "simplify" things to avoid taxing your memory. When you finish reading this book, you'll use modern bidding methods that any bridge player will understand. If you want to learn to play bridge, this is by far and away the best book to do it with. More importantly, this book focuses on building a solid core of bridge skills. When you are finished with this book, you will be able to play casually with your friends and will be ready to start improving your skills if you are interested in tournament play.
   
   My one gripe with this book is that the suggested bridge library in the back is a bit sparse, and somewhat poorly chosen. The books on declarer play and defense are a bit too advanced, and the bidding book he suggests is well out of date and below the level you'll be at when you finish this book. Here is my advice instead:
   
   When you buy this book you should buy these two classics as well:
   Introduction to Declarers Play
   Introduction to Defender's Play
   
   Truscott shows you the basics of play and defense, but these books really go into the logic behind the basic skills, and they do so far better than any newer books. You'll be much better off if you focus on mastering this material before tackling the more advanced books he recommends.
   
   At this point you are perfectly capable of playing casual bridge and having a good time with your friends. If you want to play tournament bridge, or you are serious about getting good, you've got a way to go yet. When you are ready to take your game to the next level, try Bid Better Play Better and How the Experts Win at Bridge.



2. as is BRIDGE FOR DUMMIES. Also IMHO while there are many introductory texts to bridge, the more recent ones tend to be the most useful. This includes BRIDGE IN THREE WEEKS as well.

1 comments about Heart Series: Introduction to Bridge Defense.

1. This is the third book in the ACBL Series by Audrey Grant. The Club Series is on bidding and the Spade Series is on Play. This books assumes that you know bidding at least equal to the first two books. This book is not easy. It takes some thinking and study. It is a thorough discussion of standard leads, signals and defensive play. Anyone who is weak in these methods can learn from this book. It does not include other signals such as Laventhal and upside down discards. To learn about these you need to get Kit Woolsley's fine book on Modern Defensive Signals. Many more advanced books on defense are available including books by Root and Kantar but this book does a great job explaining defensive philosophy to novices.

5 comments about Adventures in Card Play (Master Bridge Series).

1. The most sublime bridge book ever written is an extensive exploration of a core of intricate themes in card play. Covered are entry squeezes, trump squeezes, entry-shifting squeezes, elopement, throw-ins, dummy reversal, and backwash squeezes. There are also three chapters on a unique subject, squeezes, finesses and throw-ins against cards that do not immediately lead to any material gain, yet are necessary to set up a later trick. In reading these chapters, one feels that universal secrets are being revealed, like observing the birth of stars through some powerful telescope. A life-enriching experience that begs for an annual re-rereading!



2. There's probably not much practical value to this book, but the hands are just amazing.



3. This book is completely useless to anyone but an expert. But, even the expert player will not be able to evaluate and achive in real time all these things exposed in that book.
   
   You won't find another book like this one , so if your bridge library is missing it and you want it to be 100% complete, buy it. But you probably won't get anything useful from it.



4. I have been away from the tournament trail for a couple of decades, and am re(re)reading this book for the joy of the positions examined. It is truly an analytic masterpiece presented in a style that I find most enjoyable.
   
   While it is true this is not a book for other than expert players... you really need to know Clyde Love or an equivalent squeezes book thoroughly... these positions do come up at the table. I was playing a few months after this book was first published at an all expert table (I was the least expert at the table) when an immaterial squeeze position arose. It was discussed as it was being played, from about trick five. The fellow who claimed these position can't be found at the table simply knows not whereof he speaks. Perhaps he can't find them, but certainly one can find them.
   
   On the other hand, these positions are not common... finesses are common, squeezes and end-plays routine but not common in the sense of finesses. These positions are less common still.
   
   I think the book is lots of fun. The worst that can happen if you read it is your bridge imagination (&, hopefully, visualization) will be expanded while you read a thoroughly pleasant book.
   
   PS I happened upon these reviews whilst looking for a bridge book of similar complexity to engage my imagination.



5. Adventures in Card Play is not really a teaching book. This is un-learning for good players. The hands are magical in seeming complexity that turns simple with a phrase from the author. Which brings me to the main part of my recommendation: Ottlik is a masterful writer. Intertwined with the moderate amount of diagrammed hands is a novella that has had me reread this more than once.
   If you are a tournament and/or money player then this is entertainment par excellence. Also expect to look at hands and odds a little different afterwords.

3 comments about Beginning Bridge Complete.

1. As an Intermediate player, I still find this book useful. As a beginner, you would find it INVALUABLE. Penick uses a combination of simple description and illustrations to make bridge accessible to everyone.

   The descriptions are compelling and understandable, and the illustrations make it memorable. I heartily recommend this book for anyone wanting a solid grounding in bridge fundamentals. It comes with quizzes to reinforce your learning.




2. This is the book I hand out to anyone that wants to learn bridge from scratch. Very easy to understand, beautifully illustrated with cartoons, it is also very accurate: I still use this as a reference for looking up basic Standard American bidding. It deals very well with ALL aspects of basic Standard American, including overcalls, take-out doubles, etc. There are a few chapters that deal with the basics of play and defense. This book is more than sufficient for all aspects of beginning bidding. For play and defense, I recommend people start here, and then go to "Introduction to Declarer's Play" and "Introduction to Defender's Play" by Edwin Kantar.



3. Easy to understand instruction for someone learning to play Bridge. Using this book I was able to begin playing Bridge in just a few weeks. This game cannot be mastered in just a few weeks, but you will have the basics necessary to begin.

2 comments about Partnership Understandings.

1. What a great little book this is! Mike Lawrence believes that communication between partners is the key to playing good bridge. Regardless of one's level of play; beginner, intermediate, or advanced, without an understanding of what partner is "saying" the game will be lost. Mike Lawrence presents bridge players with a series of questions and answers covering all the common bidding approaches from the simple natural bids to the complex conventions. All partners and prospective partners should read Lawrence's book together and discuss those areas that pertain.



2. When playing with a new partner, you will get MUCH better results if you are in agreement on fundamentals. If your preempting style is wild and pard's is tame and you don't expect that, you will have disasters.
   
   Rather than force the partners to change their styles, it helps them reckognize their differences. Each pard can retain their style, as long as their pard knows what to expect. For other conventions, bids, the book helps expose undisclosed assumptions.
   
   1NT - 2 spades means what? Minor Suit Stayman? Transfer to Clubs? Well, then what does 1NT - 3 Clubs mean?
   
   
   This book will help you avoid fights that end budding partnerships, by exposing differences in assumptions.
   
   While not "fun" its a terrific investment in time, and will save you much aggravation

No comments about The Abbot's Great Sacrifice (Master Bridge Series).

1 comments about Cribbage.

1. This was the perfect book for me. All I knew about the game prior to reading Buttler's book had come from reading rules published by cribbage board makers and the American Cribbage Congress, which are sometimes leave a few items unclear. Buttler makes all aspects of the rules and strategy clear, at least to me. Highly recommended by me, a beginner, but I suspect that experts would find the book well worthwhile.

4 comments about Bridge Squeezes for Everyone.

1. David Bird does a great job of introducing squeezes in a non-threatening, easy-to-follow manner. He explains the mechanics of the various types in a straightforward way and doesn't get hung up on the nitty-gritty technical details. Instead, he focuses on providing example hands that are followed by a thorough explanation and which clearly illustrate the principles being discussed. I especially enjoyed the "The Stars Come Out to Play" section of each chapter, which showcases hands played successfully by expert players using the various types of squeezes. The quiz hands at the end of each chapter are also well done and do a good job of reinforcing the lessons presented.



2. The techniques are clearly presented, with lots of good examples. At the end of each section is a set of problems for the reader to solve. The book is entertaining to read, which is difficult for a book on Squeeze play!
   
   The only drawback was since each chapter was specialized (i.e. Criss Cross Squeeze) the reader knows the exact technique required. It might have been betetr to have had a mixed problem set after every 3 chapters, so the reader wouldn't be sure if they had to perform a double squeeze or a simple squeeze.
   
   Terence Reeses Squeeze Play Made Easy is also excellent.
   
   Clyde Loves Bridge Squeezes Complete may have been a classic 40 years ago, but there are better books available today (like this one).



3. I didn't use to know how to do or look for squeezes. Now I do. It may have come from playing more. It may have come from trying harder. I think it came from this book.
   
   Of course, Watson covers squeezes, briefly. This book is all about squeezes, in a very engaging way. And while I may not be able to tell you the difference between a stepping-stone and a suicide squeeze, I now know what to look for in a squeeze, the distribution the opponents need, and how to actually perform at least simple squeezes whenever they present themselves.



4. - very clear explanations of each family of squeezes
   
   - discussion of how they are different from other families (Simple, vs Double, Squeeze without the Count vs ...)
   
   - LOTS of examples
   
   - LOTS of problems
   
   - LOTS of variations (different types of squeezes in each family). For example different types (names/variations) of Double Squeezes
   
   
   A fabulous book. There is so much there that you wont be able to remember many of them. Thats ok, start with just Simple squeezes. Then add Double or Strip Squeeze or anotehr family from the first few chapters.
   
   Because of the nature of squeezes I would love a companion workbook with 500 problems. OR better yet a souped up set of deals for Bridge master.
   
   A classic, 5 stars

No comments about Understanding Slam Bidding (Master Bridge Series).

2 comments about Standard American 21.

1. This book is the only comprehensive source of modern standard bidding for social and rubber bridge players. Everyone should have it. The chapter on slam bidding alone is worth more than the price of the book.



2. I found this book to be extremely well written and easy to understand. It has helped improve my bidding tremendously. I would recommend it to anyone who is a bridge enthusiast.