Customer Reviews

The Complete Book on Balancing in Contract Bridge

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
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Lawrence is probably the best writer on the game of bridge today. All his books are world class, but this is one of his best. Balancing is rarely discussed in bridge books, but presents difficult problems. Using the same style he used in "The Complete Book of Hand Evaluation," Lawrence examines all the common balancing situations. He discusses hand evaluation, planning a balancing auction, and common understandings (and misunderstandings). Lawrence's tone is never dogmatic: the emphasis is on specific examples and how to analyze situations rather than on mechanical rules. Where there is a choice of methods, he says so, discusses examples, the consensus approach, and his personal reference. Where a problem has no good solution, he does something unusual for a writer about games, he says so! Anything by Mike Lawrence is worth the money!

I just complete reading this book today. Even though now it's 21st century, this book stands well. You can find every situation you 'll encounter at the bridge table everyday. The dangerous and safe suits theory is one of the only two ways you should follow in auctions. It will enable you not losing your IMPs, MPs or even money. Trsut me, not those specular or fantasic declare's plays make you win, but those competitive biddings and solid defenses make you win. If you want to be a winner at table, buy this one and Mike's another book 'Complete book on Overcall'. Of course, 'To bid or not to bid','Kantar teaches Modern Denfese' and 'Kantar teaches Advanced Defense' also will make you a winner. And those classic 'Abbott' series just can amuse you and won't make you a winner.

Superb! This book has helped my game (particularly match-point pairs, but also IMP Swiss teams) immensely. Read it 5 times and insist your partners read it. Don't let your opponents read it.

When it comes to bidding theory, Mike Lawrence is the best. This book covers just about every balancing situation you will encounter at the bridge table. The only minus I found in this book is that it has not been updated to cover some of the newer conventions (this book was orginally published in 1983) available or used by the opponents, however this minus is so small that it does not even merit a half-star demotion.

This book is for the advanced bridge player, or one who aspires to that level. There are two hundred pages packed with competitive bidding advice. If you decide to buy it you will need a second copy for your partner.

The definitive book on when to keep the bidding open.