Bridge For Dummies

Bridge is the most popular card game in the world—and, as any player will tell you, is simply the best card game ever. Whether you're new to the game or a long-time player looking for new tricks, this new edition of Bridge For Dummies walks you through the intricacies of the game and arms you with tried-and-true tips and strategies for being a better player and beating your opponents from the very first draw.

Covering not only traditional contract bridge, but other popular variations of the game—including ACOL, Rubber, and Duplicate Bridge—this hands-on, friendly guide takes the guesswork out of this beloved game and arms you with the knowledge and know-how to make your game mates your minions. From knowing when and how high to bid to bringing home the tricks when you end up in a trump contract, it'll take your bridge skills to the next level in no time!

• Strategize with your bridge partner
• Confidently play bridge in clubs and tournaments
• Use basic and advanced bidding techniques
• Find bridge clubs and tournaments all over the world

Are you ready to trump the competition? Success is a page away with the help of Bridge For Dummies.

Introduction 1

Part 1: Getting Started with Basic Notrump Play 7

CHAPTER 1: Going to Bridge Boot Camp 9

CHAPTER 2: Counting and Taking Sure Tricks 19

CHAPTER 3: Using Winning Trick Techniques at Notrump Play 27

CHAPTER 4: Outsmarting Your Opponents at Notrump Play 45

Part 2: Playing the Hand in a Trump Contract 63

CHAPTER 5: Introducing Trump Suits 65

CHAPTER 6: Creating Extra Winners to Discard Losers 81

CHAPTER 7: Setting Up the Dummy’s Long Suit 91

CHAPTER 8: Getting Rid of Losers by Using the Dummy’s Trump Cards 103

Part 3: Bidding for Fun and Profit 111

CHAPTER 9: Starting with Bidding Basics 113

CHAPTER 10: Making a Successful Opening Bid 123

CHAPTER 11: Responding to an Opening Bid 147

CHAPTER 12: Rebidding by the Opener 181

CHAPTER 13: Rebidding by the Responder 207

Part 4: Forging Ahead with Advanced Bidding Techniques 229

CHAPTER 14: Creating Interference: Defensive Bidding 231

CHAPTER 15: Double Trouble: Doubling and Redoubling 249

CHAPTER 16: Hitting Hard: Slam Bidding 267

Part 5: Playing a Strong Defense and Keeping Score 279

CHAPTER 17: Defending against Notrump Contracts 281

CHAPTER 18: Defending against Trump Contracts 299

CHAPTER 19: Playing Second Hand on Defense 317

CHAPTER 20: Wrapping Up with Scorekeeping 329

Part 6: Feeding Your Addiction to Bridge 345

CHAPTER 21: Joining Bridge Clubs and the Tournament World 347

CHAPTER 22: Playing Bridge on Your Computer and Online 357

Part 7: The Part of Tens 363

CHAPTER 23: Ten Ways to Be a Better Bridge Partner 365

CHAPTER 24: Ten Great Bridge Resources 369

Appendix: Acol Bidding System 375

Index 389

Eddie Kantar is a Grand Master in the World Bridge Federation and a two-time world bridge champion. He wrote Complete Defensive Play, a book listed as a top ten all-time bridge favorite, and is the author of the first three editions of Bridge For Dummies.

• Build a winning hand and bid with confidence
• Strategize with your bridge partner
• Play online and in clubs and tournaments

Outsmart opponents and win at bridge

Bridge is the most popular card game in the world—and for good reason. Whether you're a newbie or a long-time player looking for new tricks, this hands-on guide walks you through the intricacies of the game. You'll discover tried-and-true tips and strategies for being a better player—and beating your opponents from the very first trick.

Inside…

• Make sense of trump suits
• Understand notrump play
• Make successful bids
• Respond to opening bids
• Hit hard with slam bids
• Defend against bids
• Learn how to keep score
• Download bridge apps
• Find online resources