STOREVIEW CART

When Mr Bridge asked me to review Tricks of the Trade, Strategic Thinking for Advanced Bridge, I had high expectations, based on the author, namely Larry Cohen, and the publisher, Bridge World magazine. I was not disappointed at all. The book is a very good read. In a very honest and direct way, Larry shares his wisdom – wisdom that would normally take years to attain. This is a book about how to be a better bridge player. Rather than discussing new conventions and standard card-play techniques, Cohen focuses on how to form a good partnership, how to think effectively, and how to recognize common situations so as to be prepared. His well explained arguments, based on his considerable experience, make for easy reading. The topics he covers are not often seen in bridge literature – for example, these chapters: How to Prepare a Duck: Advice on anticipating when you need to duck smoothly Dummy Means Dummy: Dummy has a formal, and informal role. The tips given will help you to make the most of being dummy, and also avoid bad habits, that don’t make for a lasting and trusting partnership. Sleeping with a Clear Conscience: How often have you been party to a hesitation (or fast play) that has told the players information that they aren’t entitled to? Cohen says: “Sleeping with a clear conscience is more satisfying than trying to win at all costs”. But don’t let that short list mislead you - the book covers a great breadth of wisdom. Do you like to play a lot of conventions? Do you psyche a lot? Do you redouble (or is that bidding card in the pristine condition that it was when it was removed from the cellophane wrapper?) What tone and body language do you use when scoring up with teammates? There are some novel and instructive words on how to run a long solid suit, something perhaps few of us have thought about. The methods used in the book are American, but systems are not the main focus of the book. The advice in the book is applicable to bridge players everywhere. Excerpt, chapter 13. It’s Dangerous to Bid; It’s Dangerous to Pass Sometimes a gun is held to your head and you have no way to avoid danger. For example, after RHO deals and opens 3 hearts, you must overcall 3NT with: K Q 3 K J 4 A 7 6 4 A J 8 Even if red versus white. Sure, you can go for a number – a big number, but you can’t play scared bridge and pass (or try to hedge with an ill-judged takeout double). Don’t confuse that situation with one like this: You Hold: A 5 2 A 8 6 K J 5 3 K 7 4 RHO deals and opens 1 spade. I consider it suicidal to overcall 1NT, especially vulnerable, on this collection. There is no urgency to stick your neck out at this point. Here, I can live with a compromise double. The all-or-nothing macho one notrump is not only dangerous on this deal but also damaging on other deals, where partner will not be able to judge accurately if your no trump overcalls can be this shabby. Journalist Miles Kingston (1941-2008) is credited with saying: “Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad”. Source: Wikipedia

This book is for players who take their bridge seriously. It is intended for those who want to improve their technique and understanding, to become more-desirable partners, to achieve better results, and to gain increased respect among their colleagues. The book investigates many paths to achieving these ends: increasing the value of experience by knowing what things to watch for, learning how to recognize recurring situations, channeling one's mental processes along productive lines, being prepared, understanding cause and effect at the bridge table. The articles in this book originally appeared in The Bridge World magazine and were handpicked by the author for this collection. Because the advice in this book is of a general nature--largely independent of specific partnership agreements, personal styles, and level of expertise--it can be applied repeatedly by an advancing player who gradually gains experience playing at higher levels and a deeper appreciation of the ideas. This is a book that can profitably be read over and over, each time from a different perspective.