Bridge is the ultimate card game. It is truly a mind sport, as taxing on the brain as a decathlon is to the body. Bridge for Beginners is the ultimate introduction. Bridge for Beginners starts with the basics, even suggesting that the reader remove the jokers from a full deck of cards. With the basics established, the book progresses, and by the end, the beginning player will be ready to go as far as desired, whether it be to social bridge, club bridge, competitive bridge, or trying out for the national team. Bridge, and this book, is divided into two parts: the bidding, or auction, and the play of the cards. Each is examined closely, in a step-by-step method that greatly simplifies one of the most complex card games.
Chapters include:
Absolute Beginners -The Game Unveiled - The Scoring - The Shape of the Hand - The Bidding-Positions at the Table - Opening and Responding - Supporting Partner - Competitive Bidding - Conventions - No Trump Contracts - Suit Contracts - Finesses - Etiquette - Scoring-Basic Rules
With valuable advice on evaluating hands, working with your partner, and even spotting cheating, Bridge for Beginners is the only guide a novice will ever need.
By:
Paul Mendelson
Imprint: The Lyons Press
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions:
Height: 203mm,
Width: 127mm,
Spine: 13mm
Weight: 11g
ISBN: 9781592282838
ISBN 10: 1592282830
Pages: 192
Publication Date: 31 March 2004
Audience:
General/trade
,
ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
Introduction...............................................................................9 Part One Introduction to Bridge: How it is Played and Scored.........11 1. Absolute Beginners.............................................................13 2. The Game Unveiled..............................................................24 3. The Scoring...........................................................................29 4. The Shape of the Hand....................................................... 35 5. The Bidding (aka The Auction).........................................38 Part Two The Bidding...............................................................................45 6. The Positions at the Table...................................................47 7. Opening and Responding to 1NT.......................................49 8. Opening and Responding to 1-of-a-suit.............................58 9. Supporting Partner.................................................................67 10. Responding with 1NT.........................................................70 11. Competitive Bidding: Doubles and Overcalls.................73 12. Conventions: Description of Stayman and Blackwood.93 Part Three The Play of the Cards..............................................................101 13. No-trump Contracts...........................................................103 14. Suit Contracts.....................................................................109 15. Finesses...............................................................................116 16. Defending your Opponent's Contracts: Basic Strategies and Opening Leads.....................121 17. Defending your Opponent's Contracts: Simple Signals and Discards....................................130 Part Four Dull but important information on Etiquette, Scoring, fs20and Basic Rules.........................................................137 18. Etiquette...............................................................................139 19. Scoring.................................................................................143 20. Basic Rules..........................................................................150 Glossary.....................................................................................154
Paul Mendelson is the bridge professional at the Roehampton Club in London and has lectured on bridge all over the world. He started his tournament successes by winning the UK National Schools' Championships, and has since played in many top events, capturing two national titles. He was the youngest-ever captain of a winning Devonshire Cup team and is now the bridge correspondent of the London Financial Times.
