After some years using published material to teach newcomers the rudiments of bridge bidding, the author became somewhat disillusioned with the approach advocated in the majority of beginning bridge texts. The matters that particularly concerned him were related to the view espoused by many bridge teachers that it is important to keep all bidding ‘natural’ so as not to confuse beginners. The author felt that if confusion exists, it is likely to be the teaching approach that causes the confusion, rather than the subject matter itself.The proponents of this ‘natural’ bidding approach, decline to teach beginning students Jacoby Transfer Bids, Weak Two Opening Bids and, in some cases, Stayman. The reason often given is that teaching ‘natural’ bidding is difficult enough for beginning bridge students, and we should not confuse them by teaching them conventions or treatments that say something different. These same teachers seem to see no inconsistency in their approach of saying, when the students are doing a second (or third) class with them – “oh, remember when I told you that when your partner makes an opening bid of 1NT and you have 7 points and a five card ♥ suit, that you should bid 2♥? Well, I want you to forget that, because I am going to teach you now that, with that same hand, you should bid 2♦.” The author has two problems with that approach. Firstly, it seems to downplay the ability of students to understand these specific bids. The author contends that it is most likely that this is a ‘teaching failure’ rather than a ‘learning failure’! The author has found that once students fully understand that it is desirable to have the strong hand as Declarer, most of them have little problem understanding the rationale behind Jacoby Transfer Bids. Putting the bids in context seems to make the task of learning Transfer Bids much easier. Secondly, if teachers are hoping to encourage their students to become duplicate bridge players, it makes sense for them to be using a bidding system that other players are using. As almost all duplicate bridge players use Stayman, Jacoby Transfer Bids and Weak Two Opening Bids, the author’s students are introduced to these bids in their first series of lessons. And it is important to note that an understanding of these 3 aspects of bridge bidding will not prove to be a disadvantage in social bridge. The theme throughout the book is one of providing clear, consistent guidelines for a relatively simple modern approach to bidding. The author repeatedly emphasizes that once newcomers have a reasonable understanding of basic bidding, they, and their partner, can ‘tweak’ the approach taught in this text. The author is an avid duplicate bridge player and encourages all of his students to try that form of the game. However, the reality is that many bridge players enjoy the game in its more social form, and have no real desire to go past that form of the game. This is perfectly understandable, and the bidding style taught in this text is consistent with either form of the game. This book is organized into nine Chapters.CHAPTER 1 – The Basics.This Chapter is really ‘Ground Zero’. It recognizes that some people who wish to learn to play bridge have had little, if any, experience of playing card games. The text introduces students to the absolute basics: - the suits - the rank, or hierarchy, of suits - how to count points - what is a ‘game’ in bridge - dealing - arranging the cards in your hand - the process of bidding - the process of playing - scoring.In this first, very basic, Chapter, students have a hand of bridge to play. At the end of the Chapter there is a brief test to enable students to check their mastery of the material provided in the text. Clearly not all students “need” this Chapter. Nevertheless as the purpose of the book is to provide a text to enable ALL students to be introduced to the world of bridge, such a Chapter needs to be provided. All of the remaining Chapters of the book contain a number of hands to bid and play, highlighting the content of each specific Chapter. Each Chapter also contains a Bidding Summary and a Test your Mastery Quiz. CHAPTER 2 – The Opening Bids.Here students are introduced to the five possible “one level” opening bids, one of which should be made if they have between 13 and 20 points. The bids are presented in a hierarchical fashion with students encouraged first to look at the possibility of making an opening bid of 1NT. If that is not possible they are encouraged to then see if they can make a bid of 1♠ or 1♥. They are then presented with the requirements for making an opening bid of 1♦ or 1♣. CHAPTER 3 – Responding To Partner’s Opening Bid of 1NT.In this Chapter students are introduced to Stayman and Jacoby Transfer bids, as well as hands with which they should respond 2NT or 3NT. Together with a clear presentation of the rationale for using Transfer Bids, the Chapter frequently emphasizes the usefulness of “long minor” suits for No-trump contracts.CHAPTER 4 – Responding To Partner’s Opening Bid of 1♠ or 1♥.The Chapter deals with all of the common responses to an opening bid of 1♠ or 1♥ - raising partner’s suit to the 2 level, or the 3 level (a Limit Raise), bidding a new suit, and responses of 1NT and 2NT. The Chapter clearly separates forcing responses from non-forcing responses. CHAPTER 5 – Responding To Partner’s Opening Bid of 1♣ or 1♦. This Chapter follows the same pattern as Chapter 4. The author stresses the importance of requiring 5 card support before raising opener’s minor suit bid of 1♦ or 1♣. A continuing focus in the Chapter is one of being aware that an opening bid of one of a minor suit, is simply a method of starting the auction. Such a bid does not indicate a desire to play in a minor suit.CHAPTER 6 – Re-Bids By Opener.Throughout the book it is frequently stated that Responder is the Captain of the partnership. Opener’s re-bid is required to tell partner the shape and the strength of the hand, so that Responder can be in a better position to determine the denomination and level of the final contract.Many examples of possible re-bids by Opener are provided, with the re-bid telling Responder the shape of the hand and whether Opener has a Minimum Hand of 13-16 points, a Medium Hand of 17-18 points or a Maximum Hand of 19-20 points. CHAPTER 7 – Re-Bids By Responder.Just as Opener has a Minimum, a Medium or a Maximum Hand, so it is true for Responder. This Chapter gives examples of Responder’s re-bid when he has a Minimum Hand of 6-10 points, a Medium Hand of 11-12 points, and a Maximum Hand of 13 or more points. CHAPTER 8 – When The Opponents Have Opened The BiddingIn all of the example hands the author provides in the first seven Chapters of the book, it is assumed that the opponents are not bidding, or if they are bidding, there may perhaps be an overcall.Now it is time to meet the real world, a place in which the opponents often open the bidding, and the student is now in the position of an overcaller. The student is introduced to the requirements for making an overcall of a suit at both the one level and the two level. The requirements for making a 1NT overcall and a Takeout Double are also specified.CHAPTER 9 – Opening Bids At The Two Level.In this final Chapter the student is introduced to the strong bids of 2♣ and 2NT, and the weak bids of 2♦, 2♥ and 2♠. Responses to each of these 2 level bids are also specified, with examples.It is the author’s hope that the use of this introductory book on bidding has sufficiently whetted the reader’s appetite that he will play bridge regularly, and through experience, reading or more classes, continue to improve and expand his knowledge about this wonderful game.

Book DescriptionAN INTRODUCTION TO THE ART OF TAKING TRICKSBridge with Brian. Book TwoThis text introduces the advancing player to the skills necessary to become a more expert Declarer. Chapters on planning, counting Winners and Losers, increasing Winners, eliminating Losers, retaining communication between Declarer and Dummy, and drawing trumps, provide a structured approach to Declarer Play. In the final Chapter the author introduces the reader to Defense, giving a brief introduction to the complexity of finding an opening lead.Each Chapter contains hands to bid and play and concludes with some Bidding Tips.This book is both a self-teaching manual for the individual and a well-organized text for the teacher.

After some years using published material to teach newcomers the rudiments of bridge bidding, the author became somewhat disillusioned with the approach advocated in the majority of beginning bridge texts. The matters that particularly concerned him were related to the view espoused by many bridge teachers that it is important to keep all bidding ‘natural’ so as not to confuse beginners. The author felt that if confusion exists, it is likely to be the teaching approach that causes the confusion, rather than the subject matter itself.The proponents of this ‘natural’ bidding approach, decline to teach beginning students Jacoby Transfer Bids, Weak Two Opening Bids and, in some cases, Stayman. The reason often given is that teaching ‘natural’ bidding is difficult enough for beginning bridge students, and we should not confuse them by teaching them conventions or treatments that say something different. These same teachers seem to see no inconsistency in their approach of saying, when the students are doing a second (or third) class with them – “oh, remember when I told you that when your partner makes an opening bid of 1NT and you have 7 points and a five card ♥ suit, that you should bid 2♥? Well, I want you to forget that, because I am going to teach you now that, with that same hand, you should bid 2♦.” The author has two problems with that approach. Firstly, it seems to downplay the ability of students to understand these specific bids. The author contends that it is most likely that this is a ‘teaching failure’ rather than a ‘learning failure’! The author has found that once students fully understand that it is desirable to have the strong hand as Declarer, most of them have little problem understanding the rationale behind Jacoby Transfer Bids. Putting the bids in context seems to make the task of learning Transfer Bids much easier. Secondly, if teachers are hoping to encourage their students to become duplicate bridge players, it makes sense for them to be using a bidding system that other players are using. As almost all duplicate bridge players use Stayman, Jacoby Transfer Bids and Weak Two Opening Bids, the author’s students are introduced to these bids in their first series of lessons. And it is important to note that an understanding of these 3 aspects of bridge bidding will not prove to be a disadvantage in social bridge. The theme throughout the book is one of providing clear, consistent guidelines for a relatively simple modern approach to bidding. The author repeatedly emphasizes that once newcomers have a reasonable understanding of basic bidding, they, and their partner, can ‘tweak’ the approach taught in this text. The author is an avid duplicate bridge player and encourages all of his students to try that form of the game. However, the reality is that many bridge players enjoy the game in its more social form, and have no real desire to go past that form of the game. This is perfectly understandable, and the bidding style taught in this text is consistent with either form of the game. This book is organized into nine Chapters.CHAPTER 1 – The Basics.This Chapter is really ‘Ground Zero’. It recognizes that some people who wish to learn to play bridge have had little, if any, experience of playing card games. The text introduces students to the absolute basics: - the suits - the rank, or hierarchy, of suits - how to count points - what is a ‘game’ in bridge - dealing - arranging the cards in your hand - the process of bidding - the process of playing - scoring.In this first, very basic, Chapter, students have a hand of bridge to play. At the end of the Chapter there is a brief test to enable students to check their mastery of the material provided in the text. Clearly not all students “need” this Chapter. Nevertheless as the purpose of the book is to provide a text to enable ALL students to be introduced to the world of bridge, such a Chapter needs to be provided. All of the remaining Chapters of the book contain a number of hands to bid and play, highlighting the content of each specific Chapter. Each Chapter also contains a Bidding Summary and a Test your Mastery Quiz. CHAPTER 2 – The Opening Bids.Here students are introduced to the five possible “one level” opening bids, one of which should be made if they have between 13 and 20 points. The bids are presented in a hierarchical fashion with students encouraged first to look at the possibility of making an opening bid of 1NT. If that is not possible they are encouraged to then see if they can make a bid of 1♠ or 1♥. They are then presented with the requirements for making an opening bid of 1♦ or 1♣. CHAPTER 3 – Responding To Partner’s Opening Bid of 1NT.In this Chapter students are introduced to Stayman and Jacoby Transfer bids, as well as hands with which they should respond 2NT or 3NT. Together with a clear presentation of the rationale for using Transfer Bids, the Chapter frequently emphasizes the usefulness of “long minor” suits for No-trump contracts.CHAPTER 4 – Responding To Partner’s Opening Bid of 1♠ or 1♥.The Chapter deals with all of the common responses to an opening bid of 1♠ or 1♥ - raising partner’s suit to the 2 level, or the 3 level (a Limit Raise), bidding a new suit, and responses of 1NT and 2NT. The Chapter clearly separates forcing responses from non-forcing responses. CHAPTER 5 – Responding To Partner’s Opening Bid of 1♣ or 1♦. This Chapter follows the same pattern as Chapter 4. The author stresses the importance of requiring 5 card support before raising opener’s minor suit bid of 1♦ or 1♣. A continuing focus in the Chapter is one of being aware that an opening bid of one of a minor suit, is simply a method of starting the auction. Such a bid does not indicate a desire to play in a minor suit.CHAPTER 6 – Re-Bids By Opener.Throughout the book it is frequently stated that Responder is the Captain of the partnership. Opener’s re-bid is required to tell partner the shape and the strength of the hand, so that Responder can be in a better position to determine the denomination and level of the final contract.Many examples of possible re-bids by Opener are provided, with the re-bid telling Responder the shape of the hand and whether Opener has a Minimum Hand of 13-16 points, a Medium Hand of 17-18 points or a Maximum Hand of 19-20 points. CHAPTER 7 – Re-Bids By Responder.Just as Opener has a Minimum, a Medium or a Maximum Hand, so it is true for Responder. This Chapter gives examples of Responder’s re-bid when he has a Minimum Hand of 6-10 points, a Medium Hand of 11-12 points, and a Maximum Hand of 13 or more points. CHAPTER 8 – When The Opponents Have Opened The BiddingIn all of the example hands the author provides in the first seven Chapters of the book, it is assumed that the opponents are not bidding, or if they are bidding, there may perhaps be an overcall.Now it is time to meet the real world, a place in which the opponents often open the bidding, and the student is now in the position of an overcaller. The student is introduced to the requirements for making an overcall of a suit at both the one level and the two level. The requirements for making a 1NT overcall and a Takeout Double are also specified.CHAPTER 9 – Opening Bids At The Two Level.In this final Chapter the student is introduced to the strong bids of 2♣ and 2NT, and the weak bids of 2♦, 2♥ and 2♠. Responses to each of these 2 level bids are also specified, with examples.It is the author’s hope that the use of this introductory book on bidding has sufficiently whetted the reader’s appetite that he will play bridge regularly, and through experience, reading or more classes, continue to improve and expand his knowledge about this wonderful game.

Book DescriptionAN INTRODUCTION TO THE ART OF TAKING TRICKSBridge with Brian. Book TwoThis text introduces the advancing player to the skills necessary to become a more expert Declarer. Chapters on planning, counting Winners and Losers, increasing Winners, eliminating Losers, retaining communication between Declarer and Dummy, and drawing trumps, provide a structured approach to Declarer Play. In the final Chapter the author introduces the reader to Defense, giving a brief introduction to the complexity of finding an opening lead.Each Chapter contains hands to bid and play and concludes with some Bidding Tips.This book is both a self-teaching manual for the individual and a well-organized text for the teacher.

Blackjack Made Easy shows readers a simple way to play Blackjack for fun and greater rewards while taking far less risk. This revolutionary approach provides a distinct eye-opener for players of all skill levels. It is a welcomed departure from other published “systems” that promote complex strategies which are extremely difficult for the average person to perform. In contrast, Blackjack Made Easy establishes a stress-free method of playing that improves one’s odds of winning more consistently. Many fascinating insights are shared by the author in a style that’s sure to entertainreaders from start to finish.

Blackjack Made Easy shows readers a simple way to play Blackjack for fun and greater rewards while taking far less risk. This revolutionary approach provides a distinct eye-opener for players of all skill levels. It is a welcomed departure from other published “systems” that promote complex strategies which are extremely difficult for the average person to perform. In contrast, Blackjack Made Easy establishes a stress-free method of playing that improves one’s odds of winning more consistently. Many fascinating insights are shared by the author in a style that’s sure to entertainreaders from start to finish.

LEARN THE FOLLOWING TECHNIQUES: • Learn to “Think Out of the Box” to Find Slams • Four New Slam Conventions • The Computer Finds The Best 2 ♣ Convention • Find More Slams and Win More Tournaments And Also • Many Illustrations and Practice Examples

LEARN THE FOLLOWING TECHNIQUES: • Learn to “Think Out of the Box” to Find Slams • Four New Slam Conventions • The Computer Finds The Best 2 ♣ Convention • Find More Slams and Win More Tournaments And Also • Many Illustrations and Practice Examples

LEARN THE FOLLOWING TECHNIQUES: • Learn to “Think Out of the Box” to Find Slams • Four New Slam Conventions • The Computer Finds The Best 2 ♣ Convention • Find More Slams and Win More Tournaments And Also • Many Illustrations and Practice Examples

In the late 1940s and early 1950s, Canasta was all the rage. Fast forward forty years or so. Canasta is still played, though mostly by people who learned the game more than a generation ago. However, somewhere (I do not know exactly where) someone (I do not know exactly who) decided that Canasta needed to have new life breathed into it, thus this new variation called Hand & Foot.

It only takes a quick practice hand to teach the gist of the game. Though it’s similarities to Canasta are unmistakable, Hand & Foot is an edgier game that allows players to be more aggressive. Everyone has a strategy, some quite elaborate, others quite generic, but the caveat to each is “if the cards cooperate.” The luck of the draw is a variable everyone has to take into account. Among Hand & Foot players there are often heard frustrated sighs and disgusted groans. There is also breathless anxiousness as players sweat out an opponent’s turn hoping they will not go out before a “Foot” can be played or a red three can be discarded. Like a spirited game of Monopoly, Hand & Foot tends to bring out elements of personality heretofore unknown among its players, you know, sort of a playful viciousness.

It only takes one round of Hand & Foot for a new player to recognize the objectives and basic strategies,…and the opportunities for deviousness. Also, while a veteran player who plays a solid game has a definite advantage, a novice can have fun and even prevail. It cannot be taken for granted that the best and most experienced player at the table will win a game of Hand & Foot. The cards do not always allow that. And there is that adrenaline rush that comes from just barely pulling out a win. It is probably that adrenaline rush that makes the game so addictive. This is why someone who has just played his first game of Hand & Foot will invariably insist on right away playing a second – he thinks he has figured it out.

The Essential Hand & Foot for the first time codifies the rules of the game, holding to the common basics and incorporating the best of the regional variations. It also explains why some players consistently win more than others using such ploys as "priming the pump" and the "honey pot," and why picking a pile containing red threes can sometimes be a good thing.

When was the last time you had a blast playing cards?