and Superfiuous Bidding Conventions fand to Direct Attention. to Problems of Defence and. the of the Cards—By Christopher Ste Preface by" Lieut-Colonel Beasley, 60, Allen & Unwin, Lon: don, Lleut.-Colonel H. M. Beasley, who {in 1981-82 captained the English teams to victory in international competition with Continental teams. and who in 1983 played so splendidly against an 'American team for the Schwab cup, has written a preface to this little book, and advises every Bridge enthusiast, be he beginner or expert. to read it' through from beginning to end, Mr. Steel is a great admirer of Mr. P. Hal Sims, who is one of the most successful players of the day. The author does not approve of any. artificial bids of the "One Club type," nor does he approve of the "Barton System," which, by the by, has tar from proved its merits. Mr. Steel is, advocating a common sense bidding, in which plastic valuation plays a arent part.
'The book is divided into two sections—one on attack, and the other on defence. Numerous hands with, explanatory biddings are given, all of which will be of great interest' to the student of Contract. The part on defence is of especial interest, and Mr. Steel gives many valuable hints jand suggestions on. the play. Mr Stee! has with great lucidity analysed the many vague dissatisfactions with the present game of American Contract, and traces much of the badness of current play to the enormous slain premiums, which he considers is turning the game into a mere money-making proposition. ite strongly advocates" that these large slam bonuses should be reduced, as he considers that the average' player, whose game is not of the expert type, is unduly penalized and mercilessly oppressed thereby
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.