The correct play of suit contracts is a skill which the top players acquire only after many patient hours of study and play. When the opposition are lurking with their small trump cards ready to pounce and ruff your winners, you must exert great vigilience. There are countless factors to take into consideration when planning the play and difficult decisions arise on almost every trick: should you clear the trump suit early? can you establish a side suit? is it safe to cross-ruff? In this ground-breaking book, renowned bridge author Brian Senior helps you to answer these questions and to comprehend the reasoning as to why certain decisions are taken. Each independent principle is thoroughly examined and the reader is then invited to test their own understanding of the concept by answering a number of puzzles, typical of those that arise in practical play. Written by a leading bridge author and journalistUser-friendly layout enables the reader to quickly absorb the key ideasAn ideal bridge book for players looking to improve their card handlin

Analyses the correct percentage play of common suit combinations, classified according to the cards which are missing.

This book is designed to give a comprehensive and systematic view of the rules of play for suit contracts. The various subjects contain rules for when to use the dummy reversal, when to spurn a finesse, when to duck a trick, the avoidance play, how to handle a defenders singleton, how to discard, how to unblock, how to deceive, how to handle transportation problems, and how to make inferences from the defenders bidding, opening lead, play and discards. Under each subject, there are numerous examples of how to handle each rule of play.

This book is about how to play bridge in a tournament. Unlike club play, the hands are typically prearranged to test your skills. This book gives a comprehensive view of the various types of hands a beginning player might expect to encounter. The various categories of hands presented will teach you how to play the first card, how to ruff, how to set up a long suit, how to play for the drop, how to get a count on the hand, and how to handle special combinations, such as the split A-Q or K-Q. In addition, you will learn about finessing up to a lone honor, the ruffing finesse, the backward finesse, and other finessing techniques. You will also learn how to read inferences from the opponents bids, opening leads, play, and discards.

Card games offer loads of fun and one of the best socializing experiences out there. But picking up winning card strategies is a bit of a challenge, and though your buddies may think that picking up the rules of the game is easy, winning is a totally different story. With Card Games For Dummies, Second Edition, you’ll not only be able to play the hottest card games around, you can also apply game-winning strategies and tips to have fun and beat your opponents. Now updated, this hands-on guide shows you everything you need to know—the basics, the tricks, and the techniques—to become a master card player, with expanded coverage on poker as well as online gaming and tournaments. Soon you will have the card-playing power to: Pin down your opponents in Texas Hold’em Show off your power in Stud Poker Hit wisely in Blackjack Break hearts ruthlessly in Hearts Mix up the night with Gin and Rummy Build yourself a victory in Bridge Send them fishing in Go Fish This straightforward, no-nonsense guide features great ways to improve your game and have more fun, as well as a list of places to find out more about your favorite game. It also profiles different variations of each game, making you a player for all seasons!