Following the Law --Book Review
By Jared Johnson
Blockbuster movies produce sequels. So do blockbuster bridge books. in 1992, To Bid or Not to Bid, the Law of Total Tricks by Larry Cohen, has been not only a top seller, but one of the most influential books in years. In a recent survey of bridge books taken by this writer, The Law of Total Tricks topped two categories, best recent bridge book and best bridge book for exerts, as well as picking up numerous votes in other categories such as best bridge book on bidding and best bridge book on a specialized topic.

In yet another survey conducted at the World Bridge Championships in Albuquerque, tournament players were asked to name their favorite bridge book, no breakdown by category . The Law of Total Tricks placed third, right behind classics Bridge in the Menagerie and Adventures in Card Play.

Now comes the sequel: Following the Law. The book with a short refresher course on one of the most important concepts in competitive bidding. The Total Number of Tricks available on any deal is approximately equal to the Total number of Trumps. ..explanations, etc...

....Having written one entire book on the basics of the Law of Total Tricks, much of the sequel deals with refinements and adjustments. Cohen defines "adjustment" as just another way of saying 'hand evaluation." You'll see the LAW in action.

Cohen and most of his regular partners are light initial action advocates, and that is the approach he recommends in this book-get in there and stir things up. Writes Cohen: "All of the sound-initial-action advocates rant and rave about the good constructive auctions they have. They seem to forget how easy they make things for their opponents. It's so easy to play against sound bidders-you never seem to be under any pressure. Alternatively, it is everyone's worst nightmare to play against an active pair such as Meckstroth-Rodwell. Those bandits are in there bidding on nothing on every hand. It's a royal pain to play against them. No wonder they are widely regarded as the best pair in the world."
This isn't just a book of excerpts. The LAW of Total Tricks can be well understood by advanced beginners and intermediates and mastery of the concept can do more to improve your game than adding a dozen new conventions to your system.

There can be only one good reason for not getting Following the LAW-you don't yet have To Bid or Not to Bid, in which case you should start there. -Jared Johnson