The Bridge Player's Bible: Illustrated Strategies for Staying Ahead of the Game

I recently purchased the Bridge Player's Bible for my wife, who is diving back into bridge after being away for some years. In looking through bridge book after book I found few that weren't system-specific that had much depth. There is also a vast body of instructional bridge literature that covers actual hands from tournament play. That's helpful to the expert and up-to-date player, but not appropriate to a newer player or someone just coming back who needs a refresh on the basics. I also looked into software, but found that most bridge software hasn't been kept up-to-date or is poorly designed. I immediately liked several things about the Bridge Player's Bible. First is the format. This is a fat, ringbound book that LAYS FLAT when you open it. In other words, you can use it as reference at your elbow in practice play and you will still be able to hold your cards. Ever try to juggle a hand and a conventionally-bound book? One or the other will go flying eventually. This format also lends itself to detailed study of individual pages/topics as well as discussion, as you can spin the book 'round to someone else, set is aside briefly, or otherwise manipulate it without losing your place. The second thing I really liked, and that is unique, is that the majority of the bidding-related instruction pages show all of the bids, but only shows you YOUR hand, not all hands! Thus, you get the view you actually have in play. The typical approach showing all hands is simply overwhelming for a beginner and, when faced with only his own in actual play, has trouble making the transition. I think this is an excellent approach. Naturally, there is more detailed content showing all hands later in the volume as well. The "visual" in the title refers to the easy-on-the-eyes graphics format. Illustrations are crisp, just the right size, and readability is high. The last item is often a failing of bridge books because of over-use of bridge notation. This book does not read like a book of abbreviations. Written by a well-known bridge teacher and author who is also a tournament winner, this is a superb basics book that sets the reader up well for more advanced study.

I believe this book is one of the best bridge books I have ever looked into, and I have read or scanned many. My highest recommendation. I bought three.

I don't play bridge. My mother, who just turned 80, started playing a few weeks ago. She was studying these handouts that she got from the church's bridge club. I felt she needed a good reference book, with clear illustrations. English is not her first language, and I didn't want something too complicated and not easy to understand. Needless to say, she LOVES this book. Best gift I could have given her. People that have been playing a long time are quite impressed how fast she is learning the game and becoming an accomplished player in just a few weeks. If you're a beginner or advanced player, this book is a must have for your library. Or if you know someone who likes to play, this book will make a Great gift too!

The Bridge Player's Bible is a great reference source for the beginning to intermediate bridge player. The book is covers both bidding and the play of the hand. Hundreds of scenarios are covered, ranging from the most basic concepts like a preemptive three bid to more complicated concepts such as numerous types of squeeze plays. The book is very readable. Each page has two or three subsections, complete with very colorful illustrations and examples. Not only will most players benefit from reading the book from cover to cover, but the bible will continue to be a resource to check on your play and learn how various situations should have been played. Five stars.

If you're a bridge player you know just how many bridge books are on the market today - but THE BRIDGE PLAYER'S BIBLE offers something different: over 300 examples of how to bid, play, and defend on a range of hands. You can learn strategies, rules, and approaches from key players' techniques and advice, from signals and valuation to planning and deceptive card playing. And each technique receives full illustration for easy learning for novices, too. Diane C. Donovan California Bookwatch