Almost the Only Bridge Book You'll Ever Need (eBook)

Randy Baron founded Baron Barclay Bridge Supplies in 1974 with his wife Mary and was president of the company for over 30 years. He has had many roles in the bridge world as a well-known teacher, author, columnist and expert. Randy edited and published over 200 books at Baron Barclay. His many books and teaching materials include ABTA Book of the Year The Bridge Book Series, written with Frank Stewart. Randy is also the author of acclaimed books on the history of basketball, fantasy sports and the Kentucky Derby. He lives in Louisville, Kentucky with Mary, his children, Devyn and Dustin, and his beloved cocker spaniels. His passion for travel has taken him to over 100 countries and in recent years he takes groups to various nations to play bridge and sightsee.

ContentsAcknowledgmentsForewordIntroductionSECTION ONECompetitive Bidding1. Interfere with Precision Club Auctions Whenever Possible2. Play Structured Takeout Doubles3. After Partner Makes a Takeout Double, When You Have a Bad Hand, Try to Discourage Partner, by Linda Green4. Light Overcalls Are Fun and Frequently Helpful5. It's Okay to Overcall in a Four-Card Suit When No Other Bid Is Appropriate6. Avoid Overcalling When You Can't Stand the Lead7. To Improve Your Competitive Bidding, Learn the Law of Total Tricks8. The Best Way to Play Negative Doubles, by Larry Cohen9. You Might Like to Try My (Advanced) Methods for Negative Free Bids/Negative Doubles and Jump Shifts10. Three No Trump Is Often the Best Contract When the Opponents Open with a Preemptive Bid11. Don't Hang Partner12. Try to Force the Opponents to Make the Last Guess, by Kit WoolseySECTION TWODeclarer Play13. Think Before You Play at Trick One14. Counting as Declarer Is Essential15. Learn the Percentages When You Lack Other Clues16. Learn the Law of Restricted Choice, by Shirley Silverman17. Learn the Important Card Combinations18. Learn Avoidance Plays to Keep the Dangerous Opponent Off Lead19. When a Contract Looks Difficult, Establish Your Side Suit Before Pulling Trump20. An Important Technique to Learn Is the Loser on Loser Play21. When You Need Another Trick as Declarer, Play All of Your Winners to Put Pressure on the Opponents22. Intermediate Cards Are Also Valuable, by Sharon Austin23. No Five Card Suit in Dummy Should Ever Be Ignored, by Marti RonemusSECTION THREEDefense24. Study the Six Types of Defenses Against Suit Contracts25. Good Defense Is Often Knowing Whether to Be Active or Passive Against a Suit Contract26. Avoid These Six Dangerous Leads, by Easley Blackwood27. Do Not Underlead an Ace on Opening Lead Against a Suit Contract28. If You Have Other Alternatives, Avoid Leading an Unsupported Ace (No King) in an Unbid Suit on Opening Lead Against a Suit Contract29. Lead Partner's Suit30. When the Auction Calls for It, Lead a Trump on Opening Lead31. Defensive Strategy Against Notrump Contracts32. When You Are Defending, Count as Much as Possible33. After Partner Makes the Opening Lead, You Can Think About the Deal After Dummy Plays, By Verna Goldberg34. Always Pay Attention to the Small Cards, by Betty Starzec35. To Cover or Not To Cover, by Mark Lair36. When Declarer Leads Towards the K-Q-10-(x), Duck37. When in Rome, Do as the Romans Do38. Use Discretion When Signaling on Defense, Especially Against Top Players39. The Ideal Falsecard Can Fool Declarer Without Misleading PartnerAppendicesClassic Bridge BooksDo You Know Your Partner?Happiness is a JourneyWise Travel Quotes