Getting Back up to Speed

[pcb]

Hokay,

After 35 years (maybe more) I might like to take up bridge again. As I'm beginning to realize things have changed a lot! I think I was an intermediate player when I quit. I played of lot of rubber bridge (I thought fairly successfully) and a tiny bit of duplicate (which we did not do well at - mostly my fault - I just got too nervous). Anyway I need some advice because it sure looks to me like bridge has changed quite a lot.

For instance:

What does the term "attitude" mean? As in "primary signal to partner's leads". (When I played we would have said attitude was the way one sat up when partner made a good lead (another term might be cheating).

I don't want to get to heavy into unusual conventions - at least until I make up my mind whether I really want to get back into it. And my card memory has drastically faded (never was that good) so

a) What's the best book out there now?

:) What's the best software out there (and more importantly, what's the best value software)?

Any other thoughts would also be welcome.

Tx

PCB

[pclayton]

Welcome back.

 

The game has changed a lot since you've been gone, but if you check out a local duplicate, with very few exceptions, you'll find that the game is more friendly than you remember.

 

As far as literature for a player re-entering the game, I'd suggest anything by Bill Root. Mike Lawrence is good too, although a lot of the books are a few years old.

There's some great software out there too, like Lawrence's 2/1 and Larry Cohen's "Life Masters Pairs" (tough, but you'll learn a LOT). The Bridge Master programs are good too, except they can be a little frustrating until you learn that the defenders cards can switch around so that only the right play will work. Check out: http://www.bridgebase.com/bbiindex.html

 

The term "attitude" refers to "do you like my lead (on defense)?". Standard signals, of course, mean a high card encourages and a low card discourages. Attitude is contrasted with count (which some pairs play nearly all the time on defense without reference to attitude).

[han]

Welcome back PCB,

 

To answer the question of what books would be good for you, we would need to know a little more about you. Are you mostly interested in bidding or in the play of the cards? Did you read a lot of bridge books before?

 

Many of the old classics are still great books these days, I'm thinking about Reese and Kelsey in particular.

 

In recent years Marty Bergen has written several books that are geared towards more beginning players. I loved his books when I got into competitive bridge. If you want to learn about modern bridge theory you have to read the books by Larry Cohen and Robson-Seagal, there's just no way around it. You should be able to read these books just fine as an intermediate player, but they are more geared towards advanced players I think. Mike Lawrence has written books on many different subjects, almost all very good.

 

The link Phil gave you for bridge software is nice. The software probably gives you less theory for your money, but it is a lot of fun. I have to make an exception for the bridge master programs, which I consider a must for bridge players of all levels.

 

There is so much more out there, Woolsey, Miles, Hardy, and many more great authors. It should be possible to borrow many of these from your (future?) bridge friends. When you have read several dozen and you find you'd like to read about something specific, come back here and someone can probably give you good advice. In the meantime, enjoy!

[plaur]

What does the term "attitude" mean?  As in "primary signal to partner's leads". 

 

Fred has made some very nice interactive beginner lessons explaining attitude (and a lot more). In BBO choose 'Explore bridge' then 'learn to play bridge' then on the right side 'Defense - signaling on defense'

[luke warm]

yes, at acbl.org you can download both volumes of fred's LTPB ... well worth it, especially after a long absense... for pure playing practice, i recommend his bridgemaster cd ... 5 levels about 30 hands or so each, it's a great program

[SherryP1]

PCB,

 

Two years ago I was in much the same place that you are now. I found BBO to be an incredible resource, filled with good players who were always willing to help out.

 

The BIL (beginner/intermediate lounge is a good place to start, everyone there is very patient, you can find it under play bridge : private clubs . Follow the instructions for signing up and you will find many useful classes, lectures and events there.

 

Another thought is to consider taking bridge books out of your local library. That way you can 'test drive' several books and buy the ones you find most helpful.

 

Good luck to you ;)

[inquiry]

35 years? Attitude then means "come on".. remember, high card meant "come-on" lead it again, and low card meant "don't come on". Same thing.

[muggle]

I like this book:

 

How the Experts Win at Bridge

Author: Hall, Burt & Lynn Rose-Hall

This book represents the best thinking and philosophy of the experts on every aspect of the game. Principles that have made so many partnerships successful are divulged here.

(from www.ACBL.org)

 

 

I always go through it after being away from the game for many months/years.

 

It is written by a couple who returned to bridge after decades away from the game. It is pretty much a summary of most of the "modern" practices used by experts. The style they advocate is a bit aggressive for my taste, but you get in one easy to read book a nicely organized summary of the topics covered and philosophies espoused by the most popular bridge writers of today. From there you'll have a better idea of what other books you might want to get. And you'll know basically what your tournament bridge opponents are trying to do to you at the table.

[plaur]

I like this book:

 

How the Experts Win at Bridge

Author: Hall, Burt & Lynn Rose-Hall

This book represents the best thinking and philosophy of the experts on every aspect of the game.

I have just bought the danish translation of this book. Its great! Quite different from other books ive read. Explaining concepts rather than losing itself into details.

[Robert]

Hello pcb

 

I couldn't find out where you live from your profile.

 

If you live in America, I suggest that you go to a used book store and pick up a copy of Dorothy Hayden Truscott, 'Bid Better, Play Better." $1-2 and maybe even less. A paperback copy could sell for less than a dollar. It was written years ago, however, it is jam packed with very good bidding advice.

 

Anything by Terence Reese. Marty Bergen(some of his books are filled with conventional bidding 'be warned') Edwin Kantar(teaches 4 card majors very well, the standard method is mostly 5 card majors in America today)

 

For card play, the classic book, "Play of the Hand" by Watson. Terence Reese has a large assortment of books on play and defence.

 

Stewart has some really good books. Bill Root highly recommended.

 

Poke around in a used book store in their bridge section and @ $10.00 could get you up to half a dozen slightly older bridge books.

 

Since you are on the net, you might want to search for bridge book dealers. Some of them have online descriptions of their books. Look around, take notes and go to your local used book store to pick up a nice collection for very little money.

 

Warning! I collect bridge books and have over 400 books. If you get hooked, you might need to start buying new bookcases. :)

Regards,

Robert

[Stephen Tu]

For card play, the classic book, "Play of the Hand" by Watson.

 

I'll recommend against Watson. Although the content is fine & it covers a lot of ground, the writing style just doesn't make it very enjoyable to read. I think Root's books on play & defense, also Mollo & Gardner's Card Play Technique cover all a beginner/int really needs to know in a form easier to digest.

[Robert]

Hello Stephen Tu

 

I have given away numerous copies of Watson over the years. I found a bunch on sale for $1.00 each. I picked up quite a few copies to give away over the years.

 

I do not have anything but the very highest praise for your suggested books. Mollo or Reese should be on anyone's short list of bridge writers.

 

I am somewhat careful who I give Watson to. We agree that Watson is not as easy to read as say Reese or some other writers.

 

If a player wants to improve his game and is also not a beginner, I highly recommend Watson. Some people would disagree. I enjoyed Watson when I was not much more than a beginner.

 

plaur claims to have played a lot of rubber bridge. I am guessing that plaur merely wants to polish up on the game.

 

plaur has played lots of rubber bridge, but needs to brush up on conventions and modern bidding. If plaur played a lot of rubber bridge, IMP play should be an easy changeover.

 

Matchpoints might be quite a different story. Rubber bridge players are trained to bid and play much differently than matchpoint scoring requires.

 

Watson covers almost everything. If there is an area to examine, it will very likely be found there.

 

I did suggest that plaur check in used book stores. Browse the available stock and make an informed decision.

 

Watson should be a common bridge book find. Mollo might be fairly rare. Reese should also be fairly common.

 

Whatever the choice, I hope plaur enjoys a return to a great game. :blink:

 

Regards,

Robert