Bridge for Beginners: A Step-by-Step Guide to One of the Most Challenging Card Games

By Paul Mendelson

Book Overview

Bridge is the ultimate card game. It is truly a mind sport, as taxing on the brain as a decathlon is to the body. Bridge for Beginners is the ultimate introduction.
Bridge for Beginners starts with the basics, even suggesting that the reader remove the jokers from a full deck of cards. With the basics established, the book progresses, and by the end, the beginning player will be ready to go as far as desired, whether it be to social bridge, club bridge, competitive bridge, or trying out for the national team.
Bridge, and this book, is divided into two parts: the bidding, or auction, and the play of the cards. Each is examined closely, in a step-by-step method that greatly simplifies one of the most complex card games.

Chapters include:
Absolute Beginners -The Game Unveiled - The Scoring - The Shape of the Hand - The Bidding-Positions at the Table - Opening and Responding - Supporting Partner - Competitive Bidding - Conventions - No Trump Contracts - Suit Contracts - Finesses - Etiquette - Scoring-Basic Rules

With valuable advice on evaluating hands, working with your partner, and even spotting cheating, Bridge for Beginners is the only guide a novice will ever need.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1592282830
• ISBN13: 9781592282838
• Release Date: April 2004
• Publisher: Lyons Press
• Length: 180 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.0" x 7.9"

Customer Reviews

A heads-up for American bridge novices

I just want beginning bridge players to understand that the ACOL system of bidding that this book teaches so well is NOT the same as the system or systems normally used in the USA. When scoping out bridge texts, you will want to be sure that the bidding style is called "Standard American" or, more specifically, "five-card majors." The highly regarded "Two over one game force," (abbreviated "2/1") will probably not appear in a text aimed at beginners; but there's a good chance you'll wind up there eventually if you stick with the game. Bridge is a wonderful game; I just don't want us Yanks boning up on a system that is of little or no use on this side of the pond!

Bridge For Beginners

I found this book extremely well written fo beginners. Language and examples were easy to understand.

A great introductory guide to Acol bridge

The best introductory book on ACOL bridge I have yet encountered. Clear and concise explanations of bidding and play strategies and the reasoning behind them, logical sequencing and helpful "Briefing" summaries at the end of key chapters. Thoroughly recommended.