Recommended Books (Card Play)

Introduction

There are a large number of very good books on card play. Every bridge player can improve his game considerably, and get many hours of reading pleasure, from any of the books I list here. All of these books are available from Amazon (click on the links) or other suppliers. I have colour-coded the list to help you decide whether the book is suitable for you: green will suit all players, yellow will suit serious players, while red is for boffins only!

Defence

The hardest part of the game! But that's because most players have an inadequate understanding of the tools of defence (how to signal to partner) and of how to count out the hand (using partner's signals). The first books in this list give you a basic education in bridge defence. Later books show you what you can aspire to achieve as a good defender.

"Defensive Plays" — Sally Brock

A basic but non-trivial book on defence. If every player in the club had a copy of this book we would all enjoy defending a great deal more! If you want to be a sound and reliable defender, get a copy of it.

"Bridge: The Elements of Defence" — G C H Fox

Out of print but easily obtainable used from Amazon. Highly recommended.
A more advanced book than Sally Brock's above. This book really will teach you the elements of defence. I use many of the deals it contains in my Intermediate Group lessons.

"Easy Guide to Defensive Signals at Bridge" — Julian Pottage

A more detailed but not particularly more advanced book than the preceding ones, and a good follow-up to them.

"Killing Defence at Bridge" — Hugh Kelsey

"More Killing Defence at Bridge" — Hugh Kelsey

Carefully constructed educational problems to improve your defensive thought processes.

Declarer play

"Bridge Play Unravelled: Recognition Is Everything" — Freddie North

An excellent book, the first third of which introduces what are usually considered to be advanced declarer techniques in a straightforward and concise fashion. The last two thirds of the book are problems, but you get no hint as to which of the techniques you are expected to use. It is just like playing the hand at the table. Highly recommended.
I have a spare copy of this book that any club member is welcome to borrow. Just ask.

"Bridge: Step by step card play - no-trumps" — Robert Berthe & Norbert Lebely

Out of print but easily obtainable used from Amazon. Recommended.
An easy introduction to the principles of sound declarer play at no trumps. A very well presented basic text.

"Take All Your Chances at Bridge" — Eddie Kantar

A quite superb book. I cannot praise it enough. Kantar teaches you the right way to look at declarer play through getting you to solve the kinds of problems that you will meet in real life. You will enjoy, and learn, from each of these 100 problems. It is suitable for everyone beyond the beginner stage. Even advanced players will learn something, benefit from the practice, and gain confidence from getting most of the problems right. I certainly did. I can hardly wait for the second volume to become available.

"How to Play Card Combinations: Unlocking the Secrets" — Mike Lawrence

A slightly idiosyncratic book that deals with an ever-recurring problem: how to conjure an extra trick from a combination such as A x x opposite J 10 x. Mike Lawrence makes you realise the possibilities and teaches you how to select the most realistic chances. What I have learnt from this book wins me an extra trick every session, I reckon.

General card play

"Bridge Odds for Practical Players" — Hugh Kelsey & Michael Glaubert

Not only does this book give you the odds of various card combinations but it also shows you how to put the knowledge of the odds to work in your favour. It shows you how you can combine separate chances, in many situations, without risk. A must-have book for any serious player.

"Kelsey on Squeeze Play" — Hugh Kelsey

A real tome, and an exhaustive treatise on squeeze play. It is actually a collection of Kelsey's four books: Simple Squeezes, Strip Squeezes, Double Squeezes and Triple Squeezes. If you get to the end and remember more than 70% of what you have read, you will be a squeeze expert! For anyone wanting to know how to recognise squeeze possibilities and how to set up the squeeze for a successful execution, this book will give you all you need to know. It also covers the defensive techniques to avoid being squeezed.

"Bridge Squeezes for Everyone" — David Bird

A somewhat simpler book than the previous item (though squeeze play is only for those willing to put some effort into grasping the basics). A good place for anyone interested in squeeze play to start.

Opening leads

"The Golden Rules of Opening Leads" — Julian Pottage

A helpful guide on what you should lead and when. I personally don't like the "rules and exceptions" style of the Master Bridge "Golden Rules" series, but the quality of the advice leaves nothing to be desired.

"Improve Your Opening Leads" — Hugh Kelsey & John Matheson

Out of print, but obtainable used from Amazon.
An educational quiz book. You can test yourself and then read why you were right or why you were wrong.
I have a spare copy of this book that any club member is welcome to borrow. Just ask.

More recommended books

I have also prepared a list of recommended books on bidding.

Author: Chris Burton
Gravesend Bridge Club