Take a quick and easy beginner's course in the world's most popular card game. From evaluating the hand to complex bidding tactics, here is everything needed for a sound grounding in bridge. Even beginners will play with confidence when they have these easy-to-follow instructions and diagrams as a guide. Simple explanations of all the rules, plus illustrations of sample hands and scoring, provide the basics. A "get to know bridge" section explains the pack, choosing partners, shuffling, dealing, sorting, tricks and trumps, notations, and much more. Extensive coverage on bidding includes values for games and slams; a variety of openings; the denial pass; a change of suit response; several responses to opponents' bids; defensive and sacrifice bidding; and a huge range of other options.

This book starts at the beginning, introducing the mechanics of the game through its history. It covers the fundamentals of the three aspects of the game . . . bidding, play, and defense. 32 prepared deals carefully give you a chance to practice what you've learned. The concepts and information presented are the most current and accurate available, developed with the assistance of the game's top champions. The material is presented in a clear, well-organized format, moving smoothly from one topic to the next.

This book covers the concepts needed when both sides are bidding for the contract. It introduces the basic competitive tools--preemptive opening bids, overcalls, and takeout doubles. The concepts and information presented are the most current available, developed with the assistance of the game's top champions.

Audrey Grant does it again with an amazing new book, Popular Conventions, the third book in a series. It covers everything from playing at a party table to a tournament table; Popular Conventions teaches you the core conventions that will strengthen your game for sure. It introduces you to the Stayman conventions, Jacoby transfer bids, the strong artifical two club opening, Blackwood and Gerber. This book gives you a chance to get ahead and win!

Terence Reese, "the world's best bridge player and best bridge writer" (NEW YORK TIMES) turns his attention to the bright beginner, giving a complete guide to the game with sample bidding and sample game play. Reese offers coverage of everything the beginner needs, from point count bidding to finesses, to make bridge the exciting, competitive game it is.

In this fun and easy-to-understand guide, Grand Master Eddie Kantar shares with you his years of bridge expertise, getting you up to speed quickly with the basics and then introducing you to the finer points of tricks, bids, contracts, and strategy. Plus, Bridge For Dummies features a guide to computer bridge games and Web sites devoted to bridge. Numerous helpful illustrations and diagrams guide readers through the process of dealing and organizing a hand, calculating points, making an opening bid, taking a trick, and more.

Bridge, one of the worlds most widely played card games, requires skill, concentration, and practice on the part of its players. This visual guide will help beginners master the rules and principles while also explaining strategies that both beginners and experienced players need to command for successful play. The author presents more than 300 clearly illustrated examples of bid structures, then instructs on how to rank, decode, and defend, from opening bids to endgame strategy. Separate chapters focus on opening bids, responses, rebids, slam bidding, opening leads, general play techniques, both no-trump and suit contracts, defensive leads and returns, and many other topics that are central to a well-played game. The book also features a glossary, an index, and more than 300 color illustrations.

William S. Root, winner of many national bridge championships, premier bridge teacher, author of classic bridge books, and recently elected to the Bridge Hall of Fame, is one of America's foremost bridge personalities. As a player, Bill Root has won all three of the most important American trophies (the Vanderbilt, the Spingold, and the Reisinger) a total of thirteen times. He has represented the United States in the Bridge Olympiad; in the Bermuda Bowl; and on exhibition tours to South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. He is rated a World Master by the World Bridge Federation. After four classic books for experienced beginners to advanced players, the author has written a more basic explanation of the game.

Finally, a book for every bridge fan -- never before has there been a comprehensive history of the game, filled with anecdotes about famous players, key tournaments, strategies, scandals, and a little instruction for good measure," "Evolving at some point in the 18th century from a card game known as "whist," bridge has undergone countless variations, and acquired a massive following of clubs and organizations in the ensuing centuries. "The New York Times Bridge Book" is aimed not only at the bridge-playing community but also an armchair audience fascinated by the role of cardgames in world history.

Designed to fit in a purse or pocket, it covers all the basics of standard bidding, as well as offering some ideas on play and defense. Written in a humorous, conversational style, this book includes a scoring table and useful glossary. It will be a useful reference summary for newcomers and social bridge players.