The Baron-Barclay website has changed making some of the links on this page obsolete.  We are fixing these.  In the meantime, you can still find the desired book or software at their website, www.baronbarclay.com.

RECOMMENDED READING AND SOFTWARE

Tips on selecting books: Before choosing any book, you should be aware that standard bidding has variations. One book might suggest one meaning for a bid and the next book will give a slightly different meaning or use a slightly different point range. In our classes we teach Standard American with added conventions for intermediate and advanced students. Players in different countries and even some players in the US use different bidding systems. When choosing a book about bidding, you will avoid confusion if you choose one that uses methods compatible with what you have learned. We’ve tried to offer suggestions that are primarily compatible with what we teach. Each partnership agrees on what bidding methods to use. You might love to read about all the latest conventions but they are of little use if your partner is not able or willing to use them or if partner uses a different version of those conventions. Players who do not have regular partnerships are better off spending their time working on declarer play and defense.

Tips on selecting software: First, make sure that any software you order is compatible with your computer operating system. Click on the product link for specifications. There is a limited amount of teaching software that allows you to bid and play complete bridge hands, providing help where needed. If you want to actually play on your computer, avoid software that is simply a computerized version of a previously published book with the only interaction clicking to answer an occasional question. Bridge Master software lets you play each deal and make your own mistakes but the auction is provided for you. Bridge Master is a good way to improve your declarer play.  “Over my shoulder software” like products suggested below from Larry Cohen and Mike Lawrence let you get into the head of an expert as the author clearly explains the thinking behind bids and plays on selected deals but your interaction is limited to clicking to answer occasional questions. Although “over my shoulder software” doesn’t take full advantage of computer capabilities, we do recommend it for improving players who want to learn how good players think. 

Purchasing Information: We do not sell recommended products. To buy, use the provided link, which takes you to one of the following: the publisher; Baron Barclay Bridge Supply, where we buy our bridge supplies; or Masterpoint Press for ebooks (when available). Suggested materials may also be available from other sources including local bookstores, Amazon.com or even your local library.

Suggested Level: We’ve tried to separate our suggestions by level but some who categorize themselves at one level might find material at the next higher or lower level appropriate so look for interesting material at levels touching yours. 

Disclaimer:  There might be additional materials that would be appropriate for you. We will update our suggestions periodically.  Let us know if there is something you think should be added. 

PLAY BRIDGE ON YOUR COMPUTER

Bridge Baron – Play randomly generated hands against the computer. Fun for all player levels. CLICK HERE to order.


BEGINNER TO LOW INTERMEDIATE SOFTWARE

Bridge Master 2000 Audrey Grant’s Better Bridge Edition – CD for your computer. You don’t get to bid, but you do get to play whatever cards you choose. Once the hand is done, a “bridge movie” explains the play step by step.  The gimmick is that a defender’s cards might move to his partner’s hand if you choose the wrong line. So if you’re not supposed to take a finesse, there is NO WAY for that finesse to work!  Hands are geared to your level and refills can be purchased. Most of the 77 deals in this version are at level 1 (beginner), but 36 are at higher levels. To try Bridge Master before buying, go to the free Bridge Base online at www.bridgebase.com log in, click on other bridge activities, then click on Bridge Master and choose one of the Level 1 free deals.  CLICK HERE to order any Bridge Master or refill.

 BEGINNER TO LOW INTERMEDIATE BOOKS

Barbara Seagram's Bridge for Beginners – covers material similar to what we teach in our 14 week Beginner Series.  CLICK HERE to order.

Introduction to Declarer’s Play – Eddie Kantar – A good first book on play from an expert teacher and writer. CLICK HERE to order.

NEW! Highly recommended. Declarer Play At Bridge - A Quiz Book – Barbara Seagram - Provides excellent practice planning and shows complete deals.  CLICK HERE to order. 

Planning the Play of a Bridge Hand – Barbara Seagram and David Bird. CLICK HERE to order a hard copy.  CLICK HERE to purchase in e-book format.

Bridge Basics 3: Popular Conventions – Audrey Grant – presents the first three conventions you should learn – Stayman, strong 2C openings and Blackwood – along with Jacoby Transfers and Gerber.  CLICK HERE to order.  

NEW! Defensive Play At Bridge - A Quiz Book – Barbara Seagram - Discussion of defense with some example problems.  CLICK HERE to order. 


INTERMEDIATE SOFTWARE

The Real Deal Intermediate – Larry Cohen – CD for your computer.  “Over my shoulder software” where you answer questions posed but no complete hands to bid and play. CLICK HERE to order. 

Bridge Master 2000 Sands/Janitschke version – CD for your computer.  You don’t get to bid, but you do get to play whatever cards you choose. Once the hand is done, a bridge movie explains the play step by step. To succeed, you must play perfectly. One wrong play and a defender’s cards might move to his partner’s hand or a suit might split badly. When the hand is explained, the cards might show a completely different layout.  So if you’re not supposed to take a finesse, there is NO WAY for that finesse to work!  Refills can be purchased. This version offers 100 total deals with 25 deals at each level from 1 (lowest also referred to as A) to 4 (advanced, also referred to as D). To try Bridge Master before buying, got to the free Bridge Base online at www.bridgebase.com, log in, click on other bridge activities, then click on Bridge Master and choose free deals from levels 1 to 4.  Level 3 hands can be quite difficult so you might prefer the Audrey Grant Version described above.CLICK HERE to purchase any Bridge Master or refill.

Talking Bridge – This is an audio CD, not a computer program from Larry Cohen – Larry gives you advice and makes suggestions on the best system and how to keep if fairly simple. Use in your car or while doing housework. CLICK HERE to order. 

INTERMEDIATE BOOKS

Modern Notrump Bidding – Pat Harrington – ACBL “Play” Course composed of 4 lessons with 8 example deals covering notrump bidding, Stayman, Jacoby Transfers, and bidding slam after a notrump opening. Companion deck of cards marked so your foursome can deal and practice is available. CLICK HERE to order. 

Major Suit Raises I – Pat Harrington – ACBL “Play” Course composed of 4 lessons with 8 example deals covering help suit game tries, weak freak, limit raises, Jacoby 2NT and raises in competition. Companion deck of cards marked so your foursome can deal and practice is available. CLICK HERE to order. 

Major Suit Raises II – Pat Harrington – ACBL “Play” Course composed of 4 lessons with 8 example deals. Picks up where Major Suit Raises I leaves off and continues with splinter bids, 1NT forcing and passed hand bids. Companion deck of cards marked so your foursome can deal and practice is available. CLICK HERE to order.

25 Bridge Conventions You Should Know – Barbara Seagram and Marc Smith. CLICK HERE to order a hard copy.  CLICK HERE to purchase in e-book format.

25 Ways to Compete in the Bidding – Barbara Seagram and Marc Smith. CLICK HERE to order a hard copy.  CLICK HERE to purchase in e-book format.

Commonly Used Conventions in the 21st Century – ACBL text covering Stayman, Transfers, major and minor suit opening bids and the subsequent auction. CLICK HERE to order.

More Commonly Used Conventions in the 21st Century – ACBL text covering doubles, overcalls, Negative Doubles, Michaels, Unusual Notrump, slam bidding. CLICK HERE to order.

NEW! Larry Teaches Doubles – Larry Cohen discusses doubles of all types (takeout, negative, responsive, support…) along with redoubles using examples and exercises. For intermediate to advanced students. CLICK HERE to order.
 
Improving Your Judgment: Opening the Bidding – Audrey Grant examines opening bids in various seats. Includes The Rule of 20, The Rule of 15, opening preempts and your best bid with a strong opening hand.  CLICK HERE to order.

NEW! Improve your Declarer Play - Five Steps to Simplify the Endplay – Audrey Grant – Introduction to endplays.  CLICK HERE to order.

25 Ways to Take More Tricks as Declarer – Barbara Seagram and David Bird. CLICK HERE to order a hard copy.  CLICK HERE to purchase in e-book format.

25 Ways to Be a Better Defender – Barbara Seagram and David Bird. CLICK HERE to order a hard copy.

Introduction to Defender’s Play – Eddie Kantar. CLICK HERE to order.

NEW! Highly recommended. Larry Teaches Opening Leads – Larry Cohen provides an excellent discussion on when to attack, lead a short suit, lead trump, or play passively on opening lead. Lots of examples but few complete deals.  CLICK HERE to order.

The Impact of Opening Leads Against Notrump Contracts – Audrey Grant – Notrump play and defense. CLICK HERE to order. 

Eddie Kantar Teaches Topics in Declarer Play at Bridge. CLICK HERE to order a hard copy.  CLICK HERE to purchase in e-book format.

Eddie Kantar Teaches Modern Bridge Defense—more complex than Introduction to Defender’s Play. CLICK HERE to order a hard copy.  CLICK HERE to purchase in e-book format.

How To Play A Bridge Hand – Bill Root. CLICK HERE to order.

Introduction to Negative Doubles – Marty Bergen. CLICK HERE to order.

Standard American With SAYC – Ned Downey and Ellen Pomer – Describes Standard American Yellow Card bidding system commonly used in online play. Recommended only for those wanting to use SAYC. CLICK HERE to order a hard copy.  CLICK HERE to purchase in e-book format.

INTERMEDIATE NEWSLETTER

Better Bridge Magazine– Audrey Grant – subscribe to six 20-page issues per year.  CLICK HERE to subscribe.

SOFTWARE FOR ADVANCED PLAYERS

Bridge Master 2000 – CD for your computer.  You don’t get to bid, but you do get to play whatever cards you choose. Once the hand is done, a bridge movie explains the play step by step.  To succeed, you must play perfectly. One wrong play and a defender’s cards might move to his partner’s hand or a suit might split badly. When the hand is explained, the cards might show a completely different layout.  So if you’re not supposed to take a finesse, there is NO WAY for that finesse to work!  Refills can be purchased. This version offers 180 deals with 36 deals at each level from 1 (lowest also referred to as A) to 5 (expert.) To try Bridge Master before buying, got to the free Bridge Base online at www.bridgebase.com, log in, click on other bridge activities, then click on Bridge Master and choose free deals from any levels. To purchase any Bridge Master or refill:  CLICK HERE.

Defense – Mike Lawrence – “Over my shoulder software” where you answer questions posed but no complete hands to bid and play. Excellent examples and explanations. CLICK HERE to order.

Two-Over-One Game Force – Mike Lawrence – “Over my shoulder software” lets you answer questions posed but no complete hands to bid and play. CLICK HERE to order.

The Real Deal Advanced – Larry Cohen – CD for your computer. “Over my shoulder software” lets you answer questions posed but no complete hands to bid and play. CLICK HERE to order.

Counting at bridge Part I and Part II – CD’s for your computer by Mike Lawrence.  Interactive with Mike guiding you through a discussion of play of deals  – no complete hands to bid and play. CLICK HERE to order Part 1.  CLICK HERE to order Part 2.

Private Bridge Lessons Volume I and Private Bridge Lessons Volume II – Mike Lawrence – “Over my shoulder software” where you answer questions posed but no complete hands to bid and play.  CLICK HERE to order Volume I.   CLICK HERE to order Volume II.

BOOKS FOR ADVANCED PLAYERS

25 More Bridge Conventions You Should Know – Barbara Seagram and David Bird. CLICK HERE to order a hard copy.

2 over 1 Game Force – Audrey Grant and Eric Rodwell – an introduction to 2/1. CLICK HERE to order.

25 Steps to Learning 2/1 – Paul Thurston – a detailed description of 2/1 game forcing and related conventions. Highly recommended for those who intend to use this bidding system.  CLICK HERE to order a hard copy.  CLICK HERE to purchase in e-book format.

Eddie Kantar Teaches Advanced Bridge Defense. CLICK HERE to order a hard copy.  CLICK HERE to purchase in e-book format.

Modern Losing Trick Count – Ron Klinger. CLICK HERE to order.

How the Experts Win at Bridge – Burt and Lynn Hall. CLICK HERE to order.

READING FOR FUN

The Card Turner – a novel by Louis Sachar – a young boy’s introduction to bridge. For young adults but many adults (including Pat) have read and enjoyed this book. CLICK HERE to order.

Surviving Duplicate Bridge – Kathleen Vishner – new duplicate players will relate to the author’s experiences while those who have played will be amused and perhaps learn how to better relate to new players. CLICK HERE to order a hard copy.  CLICK HERE to purchase in e-book format.