[CarlRitner]

Thanks to all, but especially to ArcLight, for these great reviews.


Carl

ACBL Library Bridge Books

[mike777]

The Jack of Hearts, Don Von Elsner, 188pp., 1968.
Grade=B
Level=All

Reread this after several decades. A fast, fun pulp fiction read. Bridge Bum, ladies man and yes a secret agent, will Jack Winkman, save the world, get the girl and even more importantly win at bridge? Bridge hands feature real life bridge players from the sixties.

[ArcLight]

Play Safe and Win - Eric Jannersten

I reread this after first reading it ~2 years ago.
The focus is on card play technique and asking yourself "What can go wrong".

Very few squeezes, most hands are just solid intermediate level hands that are frequently butchered. Elimination plays, timing, communications. Maybe a trump coup.

1. what is my objective? I need 10 tricks and have 11, should I give up an over trick to cater for a bad split somewhere?

2. what can go wrong. The contract is cold if trumps are 3-2 and unmakable if 5-0, how can I handle a 4-1 split?

3. there are 2 lines of play, which is better.


Good solid coverage. I think its very worthwhile for all Intermediates and lower. I think (low) advanced players will benefit from these hands.


Eric Jannersten has a number of good books. Car reading, find teh mistake, the only chance, Winning pairs technique. With Open cards is more on squeezes.

[pclayton]

Here's most of what I've read since Nashville:

Card-by-Card by Roy Hughes. 90% of the hands in this are great and will test you. Its a little disappointing that some of the hands are set up like "you are playing rubber bridge against..." only to find out that the hand appeared in another publication. Still, you willl appreciate the level of detail of some of the hands, which are reminicent of Spotlight on Card Play by Darvas. (B+)

Swiss Match Challenge by Jeff Rubens. I'd seen most of these hands before since they have all appeared in the Bridge World, so many of the themes weren't new to me. Stil, I love the format and 8 hands in a row is a nice, manageable number to analyze and its enjoyable to score these as if you played a real swiss match. ( B )

Test your Timing by Hugh Kelsey. My copy disappeared many moons ago. If you aren't familiar with the themes, these problems can be pretty tough, but usually after the hand you'll say "why didn't I think of that"? (A)

Matchpoint Defense by Jim Priebe. I thought his "Thinking on Defense" had hands that were concocted. There's no central theme to Matchpoint Defense and the hands are pretty basic. ( C)

Right through the Pack by Robert Darvas, et al. Absolutely brilliant and I reread it about once a year. My 2nd favorite book behind Adventures in Card Play. (A+)

Logical Bridge Play by Kelsey. Required reading for any serious player. I've read this at least 15 times just to remind myself of the themes. As a result most of the hands are memorized, but I still enjoy it. (A)

Matchpoint Tricks by Axelsen / Dam. Best new book I've read in several years. The themes were new and they were very helpful. Many of the themes are deceptive in nature. You'll have a new arsenal of tools the next time you sit down at the table (A+)

Step-by-Step - Deceptive Play in Bridge by Rigal. A big disappointment to me. Many of the themes were old hat and seemed geared to the intermediate player. If you want some better ideas about deceptive play, try Matchpoint Tricks. ( C)

[mike777]

Thanks for the review Phil, I have read almost all of these except the Darvas and Axelsem books which I just ordered based on your recommendation.

[ArcLight]

Master Play in COntract Bride by Terence Reese

Great Intermediate plus level book on card play technique. A good set of hands (unfortunately double dummy) on a variety of topics suh as: trump control, timing, communications, deception, finessing, loser on loser. Nothing simple else it wouldn't be in this book. Some of the hands were blown in high level competition.

Nothing you haven't seen before, just a good set of hands. If you are interested in card play technique you will enjoy this, plus you can probably find an inexpensive copy since its 47 years old (and still good)

================================================
I pretty much agree with Phil Claytons assesment of the books he listed.

I greatly enjoyed all the Kelsey "Test Your XXXX" (I finally own them all!)

The Darvas book is very clever and well written in addition to having great hands.

I've Owned Card by Card, just haven't gotten to it yet, probably early next year.

[CarlRitner]

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

[mike777]

Bridge Master versus Bridge Amateur. Mark Horton. 2007. 183pp. $18.95
Grade=B-
Level=Intermediate

A collection of deals where the Amateur plays or bids the hand and then the Expert plays or bids the same hand. The reasoning is given for the option chosen by both.
A fast, enjoyable read.

[kenrexford]

A good friend of mine, Ken Eichenbaum, has just reissued an updated version of a book that he wrote years ago called "Bridge Without a Partner."

His book is hysterical, covering a large number of deals that you will be hard-pressed to believe were real, but they did happen in real play. The deals are analyzed by an extremely gifted semi-pro who actually played most, if not all, of these hands while employed to do so.

The original version created some stir years ago, because it was viewed as disrespectful to the "imaginary" client. The newer version tones down some of the perceived mockery. IMO, the original version was perfectly fine; it just may have threatened some folks who did not want their clients, or perhaps I should use the new term "students," thinking that their foibles might make it to print. Some may still object because of that perception. I look at the deals as amazing analysis of how wildly divergent our views may be on a single deal and how to cope with impossible scenarios. Games that seem hopeless can be made. Alternative actions in the bidding may solve unexpected future problems. Besides, some of the most interesting play and defense problems could never come up unless partner added some "unique" theory to the auction or to their side of the defense.

For those with a sense of humor, an A.

Ken Eichenbaum is self-publishing this book and has authorized me to post his address. I'm not sure if I can post his contact info per the rules here, but in case it is OK:

Ken Eichenbaum
280 Powell Road
Powell, Ohio 43265

If that did not work, send me an email.

He is charging $17.50 if domestic (postage and handling and tax already included). If international (outside of the U.S.), make that $25.00 U.S. and he will again cover all of the shipping and handling and tax.

[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]

nick_s, on Dec 6 2007, 05:06 PM, said:

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]

slothy, on Dec 6 2007, 08:19 PM, said:

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]

ArcLight, on Dec 6 2007, 11:24 PM, said:

>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!
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...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.