Book Reviews

[DenisO]

Hi Sandy

 

In addition to the annam link (which is very good) given by Lukewarm, try a search with Google on either SAYC or Standard American Yellow Card. You'll get more than enough references :blink:

[GeeGee]

My first post.

 

Many of the books mentioned are out of print. I've found a really useful site for getting old books is http://www.abebooks.co.uk/

 

Although a UK site, it seems to have worldwide links, as I've ordered books from the USA and Canada via this site.

 

Geoff

[DenisO]

Another good site is Carl Ritner's ACBL booksale - I've had lots of great bargains from him over the last two years . But you need to order about 40 to 50 dollars worth if you live outside the US because of the fixed shipping cost ($11). Economics are probably different if you live in USA; site is

 

http://www.carlritner.com/

 

It's well worth a visit if you're into bridge books :o

[SoTired]

The "Official" ACBL Standard American Yellow Card (SAYC) system is published on the ACBL web site at ACBL Standard Yellow Card System Booklet

[ArcLight]

I've ordered many books from Carl Ritner, shipping in the US is far less than $11, even when ordering many books. He charges media mail rates which is low.

 

The best place to look for books is the following search engine:

http://www.campusi.com/bookFind/default.asp

 

I have used it to buy well over 100 books of all types.

 

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A very nice book on Squeezes is

Bridge Squeezes for Everyone by David Bird.

Its clear and covers many types of squeezes with many hands. I found it far superior to Clyde Loves book (Bridge Squeezes Complete). Each chapter teaches a different type of squeeze with problems at the end.

The only "knock" I have on the book is you know exactly what type of squeeze is needed in a problem (because of the chapter headings).

 

I rate it an A-, and will eventually read it again.

 

 

(Eventually I want to read Kelseys 4 volume set on Squeezes and also Terence Reeses book - Squeeze Play Made Easy)

[Double !]

(Eventually I want to read Kelseys 4 volume set on Squeezes and also Terence Reeses book - Squeeze Play Made Easy)

definitely recommend Reese-Jourdain: "Squeeze Play Made Easy"

 

darned good book

 

maybe not as good, though, as Ben's soon-to-be-released material? :lol:

[helene_t]

Test your Bridge Play, Vol II, by Kantar

 

100 excercises in declarer play. What I like is that the problems are given in more or less random order, that is, not according to theme or difficulty. That means that when solving the problems you have to keep both your eyes open, you can't make inference like "this is section 4 so it must be about partial elimination".

 

The problems are not awfully difficult, I think the level could be rated as low intermediate. But the themes are most varied, including deception ("Which card should you play against strong opponents? And which against weak opponents?").

 

It is generally assumed that overtricks are not important and that opponents lead 4th best against notrump contracts. Those assumptions should have been stated explicitly, I think, since it will often not hold true.

 

I would like a similar booklet about defense. Recomandations, anyone?

[P_Marlowe]

Bridge Squeezes for Everyone by David Bird.

<snip>

I rate it an A-, and will eventually read it again.

Hi,

 

I agree, this book is really a great introduction into squezzes,

... belonging into the category "everyone" myself, after reading

the book, I was able to understand squezzes and execute my

first one on the table, it needed some help from the opponents,

but that's ok.

 

Looking at the book as an introduction, I would rate it A.

 

With kind regards

Marlowe

[ArcLight]

Kantar has puzzle books on defense such as Defend With Your Life (supposed to be very hard, at least thats what Kantar told me in an email),

A New Approach to Play and Defense, has 50 defense and 50 declarer problems. I read it and liked it.

[ArcLight]

How good is the pamphlet

The Forcing Pass in Contract Bridge by Eddie Kantar in 1983?

Where can I get a copy? (I searched Google and a book search engine for rare books and came up with nothing)

[mike777]

The complete Book on Takeout Doubles by Michael Lawrence, 1994.

Grade=B+

 

I reread this book after 10 years. Basically 2 sections in the book, making a double and responding to the double.

 

Responding to the double is grade A-. This part is clearly written and excellent.

Making the double and what it means is grade B. I always found making a double and what it means a very difficult topic. Mike attacks it and clears up some areas but this subject is still cloudy.

[ArcLight]

Match Point Bridge by Hugh Kelsey 1970.

 

This is an advanced/advanced intermediate level book. Nothing on conventions, and simple bidding systems. The emphasis is on how to understand and play match points.

 

He starts out explaining the concept of the theoretical best contract for both sideds, called par. If you screw up in the bidding, abd don't reach (or exceed) the par contract you will do poorly.

 

Next, try and ascertain what the field will do. If they will try for an over trick, you must also make this play. If you are in a different contract, you may have to take a risky play to make up for it. Or hope the field goes down on an obvious finesse.

 

There are sections on defense, leads, sacrafices, deception, and contesting the part score. There are many hands (not double dummy) to go through and figure out what to do.

 

I found the book difficult, but a very rewarding book to read.

I rate it an A.

[MickyB]

I know little of Kelsey's book, but I understand that Woolsey's Matchpoints is the book to read on this topic - I found it to be excellent.

[ArcLight]

>I know little of Kelsey's book, but I understand that Woolsey's Matchpoints is the book to read on this topic - I found it to be excellent.

 

I have heard this too. Thats why I'm reading all the other books first (Ron Klingers "100 Duplicate Tips", Edgar Kaplans "Duplicate Bridge", Kay&Silidor&Karpin "The Complete Book of Duplicate Bridge"), to give me a solid background.

 

I find that I miss a lot if I read "THE" book on a subject without having much background. I'm saving the best for last. I'm not worried that I'll have to unlearn anything, as none of these books contradicted each other.

[mike777]

Contested Auctions, Lawrence, 1992

Grade=A

 

Mike's usual clear and enjoyable style of writing.

 

Just reread this after more than 10 years. Excellent and highly recommended.

2 parts I really enjoyed:

1)Wonderful discussion of 2/1 bids in contested auctions. In general forcing but does not promise a rebid. Many hand examples of good and bad points to this approach.

2) Jump rebids by opener in contested auctions to steal the hand.

[ArcLight]

The Forcing Pass in Contract Bridge by Eddie Kantar in 1983

 

Broad and deep coverage, though not a fun read as it was detailed and technical.

Worth reading for advanced players and experienced partnerships. Your partner must read it too. You will need to highlight it, or make a lot of notes are there are many situations and sequences covered.

 

(Its available for $6 + $2 direct from www.kantarbridge.com)

[flytoox]

The Forcing Pass in Contract Bridge by Eddie Kantar in 1983

 

Broad and deep coverage, though not a fun read as it was detailed and technical.

Worth reading for advanced players and experienced partnerships. Your partner must read it too. You will need to highlight it, or make a lot of notes are there are many situations and sequences covered.

 

(Its available for $6 + $2 direct from www.kantarbridge.com)

Does anyone know if I can get it in UK?

 

Cheers

 

 

Hongjun

[Double !]

try the website. all sorts of Kantar stuff there including a section called "Ideas". Worth looking at IMO.

[ArcLight]

Matchpoint Tricks by Axelsen B., Villy Dam 2004 Master Point Press

 

 

Should really be titled "Overtricks - how to find them" as it has almost nothing to do with Matchpoint play. There are 58 declarer problems and the reader must figure out the best way to generate over tricks. Unlike a typical matchpoint decision where you risk your contract on a 68% chance of getting an over trick, these contracts are almost all safe. Some of the solutions are clever, but none require extremely complicated technique (there is 1 criss-cross squeeze, 2 simple squeezes, a trump coup, and maybe a few other interesting plays).

These are no where near as hard as some of Kelseys "Test Your XXX" problems.

 

A good ingtermediate level book, with some good ideas, its worth reading.

[laughter]

Fit for a King, Brock & Rigal, 2000

Grade=B+

 

A good collection of hands nominated for BOLS Brilliancy in the 70s and early 80s, filled with some biographical details about the players and reporters.

 

The bridge analysis is quite accurate and succinct, while the deals are mostly interesting. What I like best about the book is photos/stories of players.

 

The authors tried to categorize the hands in 4 parts, the opening, middlegame, endgame and the whole caboodle, according to the challenging parts of the hand, matching a similar practice in chess. Imo, these category are quite artificial, as there are no common themes among the hands. But still it does no harm to the presentation.

[JSilver]

I thought of another book I'd like to recommend. I'm not sure of the precise title. (It's in a box somewhere, since I moved my residence.) Anyway, it's on preemptive bidding, written by Ron Anderson and Sabine Zenkel (now Auken). Oh, yeah--Preempts from A to Z! :rolleyes: The authors' main point is that, regardless of whether your partnership plays disciplined or undisciplined preempts, it's important to know what bids mean and how to follow them up. They explore a number of situations and various conventions for preemptive bids and defenses against them. Another fairly thorough treatment of a topic seldom elaborated in the run of bidding texts.

[CarlRitner]

It's actually Ron Andersen, and it's a fantastic book. It explains what a "disciplined" preempt is and when it's important to stick to your partnership agreements (usually), and when it's safe to deviate. The followup sequences are valuable information, and the overall section of theory and approach explain why the preemptor's job is 99% done in one bid.

 

I have a spare copy of this book every once in a while. I almost always have "Fit For A King" available, but I've never read that one, so I cannot comment on the previous review. Obviously I enjoy this particular topic quite a lot, so feel free to ask me about books in general.

 

Cheers,

 

Carl Ritner

ACBL Library Books

[ArcLight]

World Class by Marc Smith 1999.

 

Entertaining short biographies of 26 palyers, including Fred, Meckstroth, Hamamn, Zia, Chagas, Garrozo. Each chapter has a few interesting hands. There are also numerous interesting stories, and general tips. I think Karen MCcallums chapter mentions that you should look at they players as they pick up their cards, to see if you can glean any knowledge about their hands. Supposedly Edgar Kaplan was poker faced and never gave anything away.

 

What I found most interesting was their view of the future of Bridge.

Many thought that Bridge becoming an Olympic "Sport" was a huge plus, but that something needed to be done to make it more spectator friendly. Some felt the ACBL was doing a horrible job at targeting new players.

 

Meckstroth, McCallum, and one of the Poles thought there should be fewer restrictions. Bobby Hamman thought there were too many conventions and the game is becoming too complex. Players are spending a great deal of time learning complicated systems without being good card players. And that these players win not because they are good players, but that they have surprised their opponents.

 

Another player mentioned that since bidding has become so developed and strong, there has a been a rise in destructive bidding, and he thinks that takes away from the game. On the other hand the Polish player didn't want restrictions, as he felt stifling innovation is bad.

 

One of the interesting things from the book is how many of the strong players fell into Bridge by accident.

 

A fun read, I rate it a B+. Id rate it higher if it covered more of the players that interested me.

[mike777]

Master Class, Fred Gitelman, 1995

Grade=B

 

17.95$ 207 pages.

 

Deals from Fred's internet bridge column series.

 

The book is a series of complicated play hands.

The last deal is his famous one from the recent team trials.

"If there is a persistant theme to the deals that appear in this book, it is the near infinite variety of what is possible in this great game of ours"

[ArcLight]

2/1 Workbook by Mike Lawrence 1987.

 

An important book if you play 2/1. What makes the book so valuable is its thoroughness in going over difficult promlems. The author doesn't just present his view, he presents the other view and explains why he likes his method better. But you are never forced to use his suggestions.

 

The book has a large number of hands and bidding sequences. This makes it slow going, but allows you and your partner to see if you are on the same wavelength.

 

I rate it an A.