CarlRitner

The software titles mentioned in the previous posts fall into two major categories. GIB and Bridge Baron are primarily designed for the entertainment of playing the game (rubber, duplicate or tournament), while the rest are primarily designed to be educational. There is a fair amount of overlap between the groups, but that distinction remains. Marty Bergen had two earlier titles, Marty Sez and Points Schmoints. Both are designed by Fred Gitelman of Bridge Base and both are geared towards the intermediate and/or improver and not advanced players (like you). I'd rate them both high and very well worth the price (I believe they are under $25). Bridge Baron (current version 19) is upgraded every year and supports over 130 conventions or treatments. It plays SAYC, 2/1, Precision and several other base systems. It has skill settings from the most minimalistic heuristics up to extensive simulation for both bidding and card play. I think most beginners and intermediates would benefit from and enjoy this program. Advanced players can use it to see the effect of various conventions, as deals can be filtered to accentuate the deals where specified conventions come into play.

Take a look at what they do for NCAA March Madness.

That sounds right. It was perhaps a bit rhetorical. Of course, for the sheer enjoyment of the game, anyone is better than staring at an empty seat.

So then, the next logical question: Does one first pick a system and then go looking for a partner wanting to play it, or does one first find a good partner, and then search together for the right system? Carl

It's only HUM because it's mostly banned. If folks were exposed to it enough, it would perhaps be just UM. ... to put in the time for every weird method that might appear I don't play it but I don't see it as weird. It has a logical basis and follows the same philosophies one finds in Precision club and fast arrival. You did say "top-flight" events!

Hi everyone, Just a short reminder, the ACBL Library continues to make available used and out of print bridge books here: ACBL Library Used/Out Of Print Bridge Books The "clearance" page, which used to feature large discounts, is now the "dollar" page, and there are some very good books listed here. The website has been hosting this sale for five years this month. We hope you tell your friends and bridge partners about us, and we hope you have a great holiday season! Carl

Hello all, Just a brief note, Marty Bergen has two new slam books coming out any day now. You can read all about it on Marty's new website at: Marty Bergen's Web Site As I am responsible for maintaining this website, I would appreciate all email concerning errors or problems be sent directly to me at carl@carlritner.com Orders for books should be made via Marty's toll-free telephone number or his email address as shown on the web site. Thanks! Carl Ritner for Marty Bergen

Great idea. Unfortunately Randy Baron is no longer involved in the operations of Baron Barclay, so the obvious motivation to get this into print again seems to be missing. There's quite a lot about the system available on the website though, so perhaps you'll find enough information to satisfy your needs. Carl

Hello Bill, I don't have it, but you can get this directly from Eric: elandau@cais.com -- this is an older email, I haven't checked it ehaa@starpower.net -- this is from last year, I didn't check this either. I hope that helps! Carl

Hello all, Just a brief update for you book lovers. ACBL Library Clearance Books Here The above link will take you directly to the Clearance page on my website, which features nearly 1000 items, currently at 50% off. The discount rate will increase over time until all of the clearance items have found new homes. At 50% I expect to see a significant reduction in choice, so please act soon. ACBL Library Bridge Books Home Page This link will take you to the home page of the website, where you'll find hundreds more bridge books, used and out of print, and some older books still available as new. Thanks in advance for your support of the ACBL Library and my bridge book website. A portion of the proceeds goes to the ACBL Library, to help preserve the history of this great game! Cordially, Carl Ritner

This is probably 50% due to the need to compact the database size, and 50% to hide the source. Although I was given the "source" and it's every bit as mystical. One would have to disassemble the evaluation routines that this "source code" invokes to reverse-engineer the original source code, or rule set. Although Matt did not want to see GIB as a rule-based program, if you include the simulations and subroutines as tools to the rules, that's essentially what it (and all other commercial bridge programs) are. GIB continually improved for a while through human intervention. To my knowledge it never "learned" to play bridge. Had Matt continued full time on the project, he would have eventually encountered "the wall". That said, it still was the breakthrough in techniques Matt engineered that led to the very (or at least more) successful programs of today.

There is a thread that indicates 11 and 12 tricks to go were achieved, at least in alpha: GIB vs GIBson on RGB 6-12-2000 It may not kick in that early in the commercial version due to speed.

Happy Independence Day for all Americans! And ... sorry about that, to the Brits ;) ACBL Library Clearance Books Here The above link will take you directly to the Clearance page on my website, which features nearly 1000 items, currently at 25% off. The discount rate will increase over time until all of the clearance items have found new homes. ACBL Library Bridge Books Home Page This link will take you to the home page of the website, where you'll find hundreds more bridge books, used and out of print, and some older books still available as new. Thanks in advance for your support of the ACBL Library and my bridge book website. We hope you have a great holiday! Cordially, Carl Ritner

Hi All, Brief update. More books are on the way, and there is now a clearance sale page. This is just a brief reminder that used (and a few new) books on bridge are available from the ACBL Library and other sources through my website. A substantial portion of the proceeds go back to the library for preservational and general literature purposes. If you are looking for an out of print bridge book, this would be a sensible place to start. If you don't see what you are looking for, just ask - it's possible I have not yet posted that item. Thanks in advance for supporting the ACBL Library and my bridge website! Carl Ritner ACBL Library Bridge Books

Good question. We made the decision early in 2007 to stop carrying bridge magazines and focus strictly on bridge books. Space was the primary consideration, being new grandparents and needing a spare bedroom (once again). There are about 3744 bridge books here, not counting my personal library. I still receive some bridge magazines from the ACBL library in Memphis, and these are sold as a lot on my website or on eBay, to keep things moving along. If you have specific needs, let me know and I'll see if anyone in my circle of collectors has anything to help you. Cheers, Carl ACBL Used and Out-of-Print Bridge Books

Test Your Timing is currently unavailable on my website. When I do have it, used, I typically sell it for $6.00 -- as opposed to the total lunacy you see here: http://product.half.ebay.com/_W0QQprZ359641QQcpidZ516836 Those prices are the result of drop-shipper pricing software gone astray. Finding a copy on my website is, well .... just a matter of timing. Carl Ritner ACBL Library Used Bridge Books

Quick note - all of the February additions are now listed. Use the same links as previously posted. Thanks!! Carl

Hi All, The new books for January have been received from the ACBL Library and about half are posted on my website. You'll find the new stuff on the books-main page here: ACBL Library Used Bridge Books - January The other 3000+ bridge books are listed by author on the five "by author" pages, alphabetically. I'll be listing additional books for the next two weeks, so please check back often. Sales benefit the ACBL library for the preservation of bridge literature and other purposes. Cheers, Carl ACBL Library Used Bridge Books

Perhaps two or more physical bindings are now appropriate, since the knowledge available, not so much of the internet, but through the internet, has multiplied.

Yes, they are the same exact text.

I wasn't even sure we were going to get a "book" as a deliverable so I wrote back and asked if this was an e-Book or a real book or what. All I got back was mostly the original email, but not an answer to that question. e-Books have their place, to be sure, but one needs to know if that's the $35 surprise. Cheers, Carl ACBL Library Used Bridge Books

Master Play was also released under the title The Expert Game. This book was featured in the summer book survey in the ACBL Bulletin and as such, there is quite a demand for this title(s). It has not been reprinted for some time. Carl ACBL Library Used Books

Morehead On Bidding has one of the best chapters on theory I've read. The bidding is out of style but the theory never is. Cheers, Carl ACBL Library Bridge Books for Sale

Hi All, This is just a brief reminder that used (and a few new) books on bridge are available from the ACBL Library and other sources through my website. A substantial portion of the proceeds go back to the library for preservational and general literature purposes. If you are looking for an out of print bridge book, this would be a sensible place to start. If you don't see what you are looking for, just ask - it's possible I have not yet posted that item. Thanks in advance for supporting the ACBL Library and my bridge website! Carl Ritner ACBL Library Used Bridge Books

Thanks to all, but especially to ArcLight, for these great reviews. Carl ACBL Library Bridge Books