Book Reviews

[ArcLight]

Frank Stewarts Bridge Club

The book is good, with 120 good problems, and 90 SAYC bidding problems.

I'm not sure I agree with the anlysis of every problem but its still a solid book. Decent problems on card placing and technique.

B+ for Intermediates and Beginners. Probably too simple for Advanced players.

 

Frabk Stewart has a number of EXCELLENT books. I consider him one of the great "unknown" bridge authors. A lot of his books are available used for around $5-7. Buy them rather than the Horton book.

[mike777]

Matchpoint Tricks. Axelsen & Dam. $9.95. 91pp. 2004

Level=Intermediate

Grade=A+

 

A real gem of a tiny book. I loved this book and recommend it highly to all intermediate level players.

 

58 problems and every one of them are simple, wonderful ways to improve your MP score.

 

Buy this book.

[ArcLight]

>Matchpoint Tricks. Axelsen & Dam

 

I second the recomendation.

 

The book has many problems on deception, either how to steal an extra trick, or make a bad contract. I don't think it's especially focused on MP problems like Kelseys excellent Test Your Pairs Play

 

I liked this book more the second time I read it.

[nick_s]

Cards on the Table. Eric Jannersten. 1.85 (British pounds). 206pp. 1971

Level=Intermediate/Advanced

Grade=A

 

I've seen write-ups of a few other Jannersten books here, but not this one. Possibly it was published under a different name in the US. Apparently it was originally published under the name 'Kortlasning' (card reading) in Sweden. It's subtitled: 'The Art of Guessing Right'.

 

This book, more than any other, took my declarer play from intermediate to advanced.

 

You get presented with each deal as declarer, together with the play to the first trick or two. Now you have to make a plan. A few tricks later you get to the point where you can figure out what the opponent have (or must have), and from there you can work out any end-plays.

 

I find it relatively easy to spot a squeeze or a throw-in etc if I know that's what I'm supposed to be looking for. With the problems in this book you usually can't do that. It taught me how to think about the right things at the right time. Of course, YMMV.

 

***

 

I haven't posted here before, so a little background in case my remarks seem a little odd: I used to play a lot in the UK (Acol, Precision). Then I moved to the US. Then I didn't play at all for 25 years. I'm starting up again and trying to get caught up on all the bidding changes.

 

It seems clear that I need to learn 2/1, so any recommendations would be much appreciated. I've also been reading up on the LOTT - that seems to be de rigeur whether you agree with it or not.

[Echognome]

Cards on the Table. Eric Jannersten. 1.85 (British pounds). 206pp. 1971

Level=Intermediate/Advanced

Grade=A

 

I've seen write-ups of a few other Jannersten books here, but not this one. Possibly it was published under a different name in the US. Apparently it was originally published under the name 'Kortlasning' (card reading) in Sweden. It's subtitled: 'The Art of Guessing Right'.

 

This book, more than any other, took my declarer play from intermediate to advanced.

 

You get presented with each deal as declarer, together with the play to the first trick or two. Now you have to make a plan. A few tricks later you get to the point where you can figure out what the opponent have (or must have), and from there you can work out any end-plays.

 

I find it relatively easy to spot a squeeze or a throw-in etc if I know that's what I'm supposed to be looking for. With the problems in this book you usually can't do that. It taught me how to think about the right things at the right time. Of course, YMMV.

 

***

 

I haven't posted here before, so a little background in case my remarks seem a little odd: I used to play a lot in the UK (Acol, Precision). Then I moved to the US. Then I didn't play at all for 25 years. I'm starting up again and trying to get caught up on all the bidding changes.

 

It seems clear that I need to learn 2/1, so any recommendations would be much appreciated. I've also been reading up on the LOTT - that seems to be de rigeur whether you agree with it or not.

I have a couple of Jannersten books in Swedish.

 

One is translated as "With open cards" and is a book of double dummy problems. I heard that he acquired some of his problems from elsewhere, but I love in particular the one titled "Elks Misery" on which I spent several hours on the various different end positions possible.

 

Another one is translated as "Wrong play, Fine play" which carries you through a set of deals, first how they were wrongly played and then how they should have been played.

 

Both were very nice books from which to learn.

[ArcLight]

Jannersten is an excellent writer, probably not well known in the USA.

 

>Cards on the Table.

I may be mistaken but I think this is the same book as "Card reading; the art of guessing right at the bridge table".

 

Its an excellent book on gathering clues on how to play the hand based on the bidding and play.

 

 

But don't stop there, Jannersten has other good books!

 

Find the Mistake - Over the shoulder you follow declarers play and he makes teh contract. Can you spot the missed chance or mistake?

 

Play safe -- and win - Card play technique -

 

The Only Chance - you are in a bad contract, what reasonably layout shall you play for to make it?

 

Winning Pairs Technique - decent general MP coverage

 

With Open Cards - I found it very hard and put it down. 110 Double dummy problems involving more advanved squeezes and other weird plays.

 

 

I'm sure there are quite a few excellent books that have never been translated into English :(

[Tola18]

How To Win BBO Tourneys At Every Attempt PDF online ... Price : Free

 

Link : Online PDF of book

This was a little practical joke.

 

But the instead recommendation of Hans Christian Andersen fairy-tales

was good.

 

A+-level. Useful both for beginners AND advanced.

[mike777]

Misplay These Hands With Me. Mark Horton. 18.95$, 2007. 208pp.

Grade=B

Level=Intermediate/Advanced

 

Written in the "over the shoulder" style of bridge writing by Terence Reese and his book Play These Hands with Me. 59 declarer deals where the author misplays the hands and then tells us where he went wrong. All hands are from real events.

 

The book starts out slow but grew on me. Some of the plays are quite difficult.

[CarlRitner]

>Cards on the Table.

I may be mistaken but I think this is the same book as "Card reading; the art of guessing right at the bridge table".

 

Yes, they are the same exact text.

[ArcLight]

Over Hoffmans Shoulder by Martin Hoffman

 

Typical over the shoulder book. The reader is shown the bidding, the dummy and declarers hand, the lead, (any hesitations/delays the opps make) , and the first few tricks and then asked what to do. The author will explain why he rejects a certain type of play. The hands are not super hard, and they are so clear after the author explains them. The bidding might not be quite what we are used to! :rolleyes:

Hoffman has a reputation as a very stong card player, and he certainly backs his (in my opinion aggressive bidding - including redoubling Alfredo Versaci's penalty double "there must be play for game...") with fine card reading and drawing inferences from the opponents behaviour.

 

A good book for Intermediates and probably also for advanced players.The book is also entertaining to read.

 

 

====================================================

 

Best of Bridge on the Air by Terence Reese

 

An old book, you are shown all 4 hands and have to cover up the defenders hands. Still, it has some good problems and themes. I did all the declarere and defense problems. The bididng is >40 years old and rather out of date.

Not bad to read if you can get it used fro a low price.

 

Intermediate level.

 

====================================================

 

Software Play 3NT / Play 4M

 

Each disk has 60 hands, they start very simple and get harder.

The emphasis is on the counting!!!!!

After half the hand is over you will be asked very detaile questions about opponents shpe, HCP shown, discards, what the opening lead was, who held certain cards. The program forces you to pay attention.

 

Its relatively inexpensive ($18 for both)

 

Recommended

 

http://www.brickbarn.com/recreation.html

[whereagles]

just read

 

1. "building a bridge system", by Roy Hughes

2. "weak NT", by Andy Stark

 

Nr. 1 is a gathering of ideas about systems. It's worth reading, even if you're not into designing systems. Some of the things mentioned there you'll probably be hearing them for the first time.

 

Nr. 2 is a waste of time unless you never heard the words "weak no-trumps". I didn't learn anything from this book and there are things there I believe are simply technically wrong.

[mike777]

Right Through The Pack. Darvas & V. Hart. 1947. 327p. $14.95

Level=Expert

Grade=C-

 

Short fantasy chapters featuring all 52 cards in the deck, each telling its own story. Considered an all time classic, many experts rate this book as the best bridge book ever written.

 

I found following the play of the hands too difficult. Often I was unsure of what cards had been played and what cards remained to be played. Having to read and reread the same page over and over again made me lose any joy in this book. Those who have no difficulty in following the play may enjoy this book more than I did.

[ArcLight]

>>Right Through The Pack. Darvas & V. Hart. 1947. 327p. $14.95

Level=Expert

Grade=C-

 

 

I'm sorry you didn't like that book. :( I did and thought it was really clever.

I don't remember if it was hard to follow, I will take a look. If I recommended it to you and you didn't like it I apologize. :)

 

 

3 No Trump in Depth by Augie Boehm

 

Good beginner / intermediate level book on (you guessed it) 3NT contracts.

The book has 2 sections, play and bididng. The play section is pretty routine and I've seen that material in a million other places. Ducking, Avoidance Play, Dangerous opponent, Rule of 11, Communications. All worthwhile for beginners and those who are not comfortable with all this. I found the bidding section more interesting. While not complex it may be material that many intermediates are not familiar with. Such as:

- with 2 unbid suits, a new suit shows a stopper for NT

- with 3 unbid suits, the 4th asks for a stopper or half stopper, depending on teh sequence

- showing a half stopper (Qx or Jxx)

- asking for a stooper, such as 1S (3S) with a long running minor

- showing a concentration, such as AQx, when you are considering a try for slam or 5 of a minor

- some tricks in a sequence involing a natural NT bid.

 

Overall, the book is very worthwhile for beginners, and ok for intermediates. If you are an intermediate who is into bidding tricks and are familiar with what I listed above, you might not get much out of teh book.

 

I rate it a B+/A- for beginners, and a B for lower level intermediates.

[goobers]

lol, has anyone read Samurai Bridge?

[MickyB]

lol, has anyone read Samurai Bridge?

Lol. I have indeed. I don't really feel qualified to review it, maybe you could :P

[ArcLight]

Card Placing for You by Andy Kambites

 

 

Pretty good book on placing high cards based on bidding, or assumption (i.e if East doesn't have the Ace of Clubs you are going down, since East is a passed hand and has already shown up with XXX he can't also have the Q). Some good problems on drawing inferences on the defenders actions such as -

-why did they not force you to take a ruff

-why allow you access to dummy for a finesse

-why did they duck this trick

 

For Advanced Interemdiates (and advanced players too - a few will get you)

[mike777]

Dormer On Deduction. Albert Dormer. 1995. 15$. 143p.

Grade=A-

Level=Intermediate/Advanced

 

Reread this book after a decade. Excellent book on deduction and visualization. I highly recommend it. The problems are a bit harder than I remember. This book will help you ask the right questions of yourself in the play and on defense.

Just reread this one. Again it is harder than I seem to remember. Good book. Still give it an A-.

[ArcLight]

Play it Again Sam by Martin Hoffman and Terence Reese

 

Pretty good book of 65 mostly declarer play problems, where you need to draw clues form the bidding and use proper technique. On a few of the hands I disagree with the bidding. The format is the player in your seat makes some subtle mistake and your partner makes a caustic comment (this must come naturally for Reese :) ). You must find the error in technique. Some non simple squeezes that will be missed by Intermediates

 

A good book for Intermediate and advanced players. (pretty cheap used on the net)

 

======================================

Find the Mistakes by Eric Jannersten

 

75 declarer play problems where declarer makes his contract (usually with overtricks) and you must identify how his technique was poor. The problems are displayed double dummy so you have to cover the EW hands. Actually you dont becaus ein the solution on the next page it says this line of play would fail with a different layout (presented on the next page)

 

 

Good book for intermediates and advanced players. Some squeezes intermediates might overlook

 

 

Both books are good for improving your technique and card reading.

[mike777]

Bergen's Best Bridge Tips. Marty Bergen. 72pp. $7.95. 2004.

Grade=C

Level=Int.

 

A very short book of bridge tips. Main focus is on bidding. This is one of Marty's lesser efforts. I would skip this one and buy one of his other great books.

[ArcLight]

While I enjoy Marty Bergens books, I think many of them have a lot of filler/blanks and some seem to be "churned out" (i.e. just to publish anything, and make some money - which is not good value to buy).

 

I agree with Mikes assessment.

 

I wish he had written "Is it Forcing" which he suggested as an upcoming book at the back of one of his books (this was 5+ years ago). I've asked him to write it, but I don't think he is interested. It's my understanding he is working on a book on major suit raises.

[kgr]

I just read 6 Dutch books "Bridge Spel en Tegenspel" of Cees Sint / Ton Schipperheyn

based on idees of Terence Reese and Roger Trezel (names of the original books between brackets)

- Veilige speelwijzen (Safety Plays in bridge)

- Blokkerende speelwijzen (Blocking and unblocking plays in bridge)

- Eliminerende speelwijzen (Elimination play in bridge)

- Listige speelwijzen (Snares and swindles)

- De kunst van het uitspelen (when to duck, when to win & Those extra chances)

- De kunst van het tegenspelen (The art of defence)

The authors of the Dutch books mention that in contrary to the original books the problems are presented in Q & A form. Every chapter has a short introduction followed by the games in Q & A. (So it is possible that the Dutch books are more interesting then the original books...maybe a good opportunity for all bridge players to learn Dutch B) ).

I found these books very interesting and would rate them A+.

It's more difficult for me to give them a level. For BBO level I would say expert+, for BBF level intermediate/advanced.

Anyway an interesting read for all playes below expert level.

Grtz,

Koen

PS: These books were purchased by my sister in law on a flee market for less then 1 EUR. She doens't know anything about bridge, but it turned out to be the best investment I have ever made. :)

[han]

Nice review, maybe you should post it in the Dutch part of the forum:

 

http://forums.bridgebase.com/index.php?showforum=dutch

 

B)

[ArcLight]

I just Read K. Martens book "Bidding Like Music - Hand Evaluation" :lol:

 

I really liked the format, a large number of competitive bididng problems. ANd he suggests some special meanings of bids in certain situation. The problems centered on visualizing the 3 other hands. Potentially great material.

 

The big problem I had is while the author said the bididng system would be "Standard", I don't think most of his auctions and interpretations make sense in Standard American. Plus in some of the solutions he says in "Polish Club" this is what you do. Except we aren't using Polish Club in this book. I think a systems nut (like Ken Rexford) might enjoy the book a bit more than I did. If "Standard" means a pretty different system, then the book is not of use to 90% of potential readers. Too bad as there is a lot of good stuff in there.

[blackshoe]

If "Standard" means a pretty different system, then the book is not of use to 90% of potential readers. Too bad as there is a lot of good stuff in there.

If you read a bridge book with an eye towards understanding principles, rather than getting bogged down in "that's not the way I'd bid it!", then IMO it really doesn't matter what system is used.

[Tola18]

I just Read K. Martens book "Bidding Like Music - Hand Evaluation" 

 

......

 

the author said the bididng system would be "Standard", I don't think most of his auctions and interpretations make sense in Standard American.  Plus in some of the solutions he says in "Polish Club" this is what you do....

I would guess he does mean some sort of basic polish club (WJ).

 

It is usual if a polish grandmaster says heshe plays natural, heshe means polish club, a not too fancy variation.

 

If he REALLY means natural he would probably say Acol, or SA if the material written for american or BBO public.