The Fun Way to Serious Bridge

Harry Lampert, a licensed teacher of the American Bridge Teachers' Association, is a Life-Master of the American Contract Bridge League and has won titles at National, Regional, and Sectional tournaments. Mr. Lampert is also a nationally published cartoonist with illustrations having appeared in The New York Times, Time, True, Esquire, Saturday Evening Post and Saturday Review.

"The Fun Way To Serious Bridge" is for anyone who wants to learn and understand the fundamentals of the mind-stimulating and challenging game of bridge -- and enjoy every minute of it! Harry Lampert combines his skills as a bridge player and teacher with his artistic talents to bring you a totally new FUN way to learn the game. The magic of his superb cartoons and simple, informative language will help you to absorb the principles of serious contract bridge -- and remember them. You'll laugh and learn every step of the way from opening bids to strip and end plays. Whether novice or seasoned social player, this unique book will make good bridge a simple "trick." You'll learn all about:

CONTENTSIntroductionBASICS OF GAMEFirst Magic NumberMechanics of gameScoringBIDDINGGoal of biddingHow to evaluate handPoint count systemWhat is an opening bid?SUIT BIDDINGDistributional PointsOpening BidsPoint requirements for game and slamsSecond Magic NumberResponses to opening suit bidsRebids by the Opening BidderNO TRUMP BIDDINGOpening One No Trump bidsResponses to No Trump bidsStayman ConventionStayman InterferenceFORCING BIDSCOMPETITIONReasons for competingWays of competingOvercallsResponses to overcallsOne no trump overcallsTake-out doubles and responsesDefense against take-out doubleCue bidsPreemptive overcalls"Unusual" no trumpBIG HAND BIDDINGOpening two bids in suits and responsesBlackwood conventionGrand slam forceBig no trump handsGerber conventionPREEMPTIVE BIDDINGPENALTY DOUBLESPATTERNS OF PLAYHow tricks are wonDECLARER PLAYThe finesseEstablishing long suitsPlay in trump contractsWhen to pull trumpsWhen to delay pulling trumpsNo trump playHold-up playDangerous opponentWhich suit to set upEntriesDEFENSIVE PLAYOpening leadsNo trump leadsRule of ElevenSuit contract leadsThird hand playSignallingLead-directing doublesADVANCED PLAYStrip and end playsSimple squeezeCounting the handDummy reversalsFalse-cardingBath coupYOUR BRIDGE SYSTEM PROPRIETIESOTHER SYSTEMSThe weak two bidPreemptive single jump overcallsDopiBalancingThird hand openingsDruryThe negative doubleTransfer bidsFlannery