Customer Reviews

Watson's Classic Book on The Play of the Hand at Bridge

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

First, my mother tongue is French, I'm sure you will excuse my style. In the past, I read Mollo, Kantar, Grant... always on a quest to find a great and complete bridge book and never entirely satisfied... too simplistic, too advanced, hard to read, poor teaching skills...
I wanted to find a book that was covering both the dummy play and the defense. Also, I wanted to revisit the very basics, to have a solid start, and then to go gradually into more complex techniques, covering virtually all aspects of the play, including the more advanced techniques. I was looking for the ultimate book: the Bridge Bible written by a brilliant teacher!

When I was not really looking for a book anymore, I finally tried Watson's book. I hesitated at first, because I was told his style is a bit dry and too detailed. EUREKA!!! I regret not having started with this book the very first day I played bridge. This is the ultimate BIBLE! Not only it fulfilled all my above expectations, but it goes one step beyond, he is a genius, each chapter is a revelation. I did not learn techniques; I learned the principles underlying the techniques. It is like being thought secret knowledge by a wise guru, realizing how simple everything was in the first place. His style is clear, concise, and straight to the point, but he covers a lot of material. His summaries are ideal for fast and easy review. I don't have to mention how drastically my level of play changed.

My quest is now over, I found the Grail, I now understand why Watson's book is recommended by most schools around the world. This is probably the only book you will every need about the play of the hand.

Every accomplished bridge player has a copy of this book, but don't expect them to lend it to you. This is the oldest and most comprehensive guide to understanding the cards. There is a wealth of information on suit combinations, basic strategies, and other principles of declarer play. You won't be able to read it in a weekend, or even a month, so plan to take it slowly and study each chapter carefully. A bestseller for over 65 years. My mother gave me this book almost 40 years ago, and I still find valuable information in it.

The Play of the Hand remains one of the definitive books on declarer play and defense. It's a excellent reference and well worth reading if you want to improve your game.

Unfortunately wading through it is something of a chore... it's rather dry. Unless you're serious about "studying" bridge, this book probably isn't for you. Try "Card Play Technique" by Victor Mollo -- it's equally thorough, covers many of the same topics and is written in wonderfully engaging and humorous prose.

This is a good book overall, and is generally considered a classic. However, it takes the reader through each deal in excruciating detail. Having said that, I have heard it being said that if you have the patience to go through it a few times(!!), you learn by "osmosis", and your game does go up a level. Meanwhile, for us mere mortals, Victor Mollo's "Card Play Technique" (also a classic) is much, much better. I have read that book cover-to-cover many times, and still learn every time I read it. Both are classics, but the difference is that Mollo's book reads like a modern well-written textbook, complete with review questions and answers.

I have 40 bridge books. This one teaches you the 90% of bridge, and all the others the rest 10%. Top classic.

There is no other book comparable to this book for learning, improving and reviewing. I bought this book 30 years ago and I still go back and read some of the advanced chapters. Although the book is a little wordy, it pays to concentrate on what Watson is saying, if you are really interested in being a good bridge player.

This book is the best-ever discussion of declarer play. Broken up into two sections (basics and advanced), it takes the reader from absolute first principles (the meaning of rank, and promotion) to expert plays (squeezes, etc.) Learn this book and you'll never need another book on play of the hand.

Because the book was written early in the century, the writing style is slightly strange to modern readers, but shouldn't pose a problem for the interested student.

Believe the reviews--this book cannot be overrated. It is far and away the best book ever written on playing the hand at bridge. It is encyclopedic and appropriate for experienced and novice players alike.

Very approachable yet comprehensive guide to play of the hand by declarer. Excellent for the novice player with progressive extensions into more advanced play. This book is still highly relevant despite being last revised in 1958. I'd give it 6 stars if I could!

Watson's "Play of the Hand" is simply the best book from which to learn the fundamentals of card play. The presentation of basic card technique is clear, concise, and complete. Even though the original was written in the 1930's, the book remains astonishingly comprehensive. Even nearly 70 years later, the concepts presented in this work remain sound.

I'm mostly a spades player, saving Bridge for later in my life. This book applies to Spades nearly as much as it does to Bridge. In fact, for any serious Spades player, I really recommend this book.

Learn how to play Bridge from a genius. Learn how to play from Louis Watson.