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

Paul Mendelson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2004

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.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Bridge is one of the most challenging card games. It is truly a mind sport, as taxing on the brain as a decathlon is on the body. This book 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. Afterwards, the book quickly progresses, and by the end, the novice player will be ready to go as far as desired, whether it be to social bridge, club bridge, competitive bridge, or audition for the national team.
The book, like the game, 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.

Key chapters include:
-The Scoring
-The Bidding
-Opening and Responding
-Conventions
-No Trump Contracts
-Finesses

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

About the Author

Paul Mendelson is the bridge professional at the Roehampton Club in London and has lectured on bridge all over the world. He started his tournament successes by winning the UK National Schools' Championships, and has since played in many top events, capturing two national titles. He was the youngest-ever captain of a winning Devonshire Cup team and is now the bridge correspondent of the London Financial Times.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Lyons Press; 1st edition (April 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1592282830
• ISBN-13: 978-1592282838
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.3 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #174,335 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #9 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Entertainment > Puzzles & Games > Card Games > Bridge
  • #15 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Entertainment > Puzzles & Games > Card Games > General
  • #74 in Books > Humor & Entertainment > Puzzles & Games > Bridge

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great introductory guide to Acol bridge, March 26, 2006

By 

Lesser Spotted Kiwi - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bridge for Beginners: A Step-by-Step Guide to One of the Most Challenging Card Games (Paperback)

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.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A heads-up for American bridge novices, June 15, 2008

By 

Allen Smalling "Constant Reader," (Chicago, IL United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bridge for Beginners: A Step-by-Step Guide to One of the Most Challenging Card Games (Paperback)

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!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars wrong country!, May 8, 2009

By 

Carol "bridge player" (Georgia, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bridge for Beginners: A Step-by-Step Guide to One of the Most Challenging Card Games (Paperback)

My husband wanted to learn bridge, so after researching, (apparently not enough) found this book..Bridge for Beginners: A Step-by-Step Guide to One of the Most Challenging Card Games He studied over 3 hrs and proundly asked me to test him on some of the material. Much to my surprise, he had learned the way the English (as in England) played! Needless to say, he is very disapointed and discouraged since our clubs are all American. Take this as a "heads up" to novice bridge students if you want to play with American clubs