Review:Bridge Books To Learn From
From AJS.COM
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Review by Aaron Sherman - AJS Reviews
Overall: This is a list of some of the best bridge books available today.
Bridge is one of my favorite card games. It combines the fast-paced play of hearts with an auction phase that is unrivaled in card-games. If you enjoy a complex and fascinating game, bridge is definitely the game for you. In the time that I've been playing, I've read a number of excellent books, and also some bad ones. I'll try to help beginners out by reviewing some of the books out there.
Contents |
William S. Root
William S. Root is, perhaps, the most respected author of bridge books in the world. These books very nearly define what it is to be a good, modern bridge text, and really are musts for any aspiring tournament player.
The ABCs of Bridge
The ABCs of Bridge is an introductory book about the basics of the game. It's odd to start out with a book that I haven't read, but given Root's other books that I have read, I'm sure it's an excellent starting point for any player. I have to say that introductory books (really, really introductory) are hard to find when it comes to bridge. There are plenty of one-paragraph descriptions in books about card games. There are plenty of lengthy books on every aspect of intermediate-to-advance play. But, I just don't see many "rules of the game" books, so this is one to think about.
Commonsense Bidding
Commonsense Bidding or, under its full title, Commonsense Bidding: The Most Complete Guide to Modern Methods of Standard Bidding, is the first book anyone should be reading on bidding after a quick primer on the basic rules of the game. This book starts with the very basics and works its way all the way up to some of the most complex conventions in the game. You'll learn how to perform simple natural bids, but you'll also learn all of the most "artificial" of the standard conventions.
Modern Bridge Conventions
Modern Bridge Conventions is essentially a sequel to Commonsense bidding. An excellent intermediate-to-advanced book.
How to Play a Bridge Hand
How to Play a Bridge Hand: 12 Easy Chapters to Winning Bridge by America's Premier Teacher is the full title of this book. A bit pretentious, but it's fairly true. If you know the rules, but want to learn how and why the play works the way it does, this book is a great one for beginner to intermediate players.
How to Defend a Bridge Hand
How to Defend a Bridge Hand is a great book. Defense is one of the easiest things to do adequately in bridge, but one of the hardest to master. You can go a long way without reading this book, but there's a point where you'll need it.
Terence Reese
Bridge for Bright Beginners
Bridge for Bright Beginners is a book that I haven't read, but I wanted to call attention to Reese. He's another one of those names that you should learn to recognize. His books are widely respected, and he has a deep understanding of the game that he conveys well.
Reese on Play (Better Bridge Now)
Reese on Play (Better Bridge Now) is a book that I read a long time ago when I really didn't know the game very well. I recommend it to people who think they might be an intermediate player, or at least are ready to become one.
Matthew Granovetter and Pamela Granovetter
Bridge Conventions In Depth
Bridge Conventions In Depth is another excellent intermediate-to-advanced bidding book that covers many of the bidding conventions that aren't part of most of the best-known books, but are frequently used in tournament play.
And while I'm on the topic of tournaments. Don't be daunted by the term "tournament." In bridge, a tournament is just a style of play. Small social gatherings can be structured as tournaments, and even tiny local bridge clubs will have monthly or even weekly, nationally-ranked tournaments. A tournament is just the way bridge is played in groups larger than one or two tables.
Audrey Grant
ACBL Bridge Series: Bidding
ACBL Bridge Series: Bidding is another book that I have not read, but many teachers will recommend it. I hear it's a good introduction to the basic concepts and the ACBL standard bidding conventions.
Play of The Hand: Introduction to Bridge (ACBL Bridge)
Play of The Hand: Introduction to Bridge is the second book in the ACBL Bridge Series, and is also widely recommended by teachers as a beginners book.
