Complete Book on Balancing

by Mike Lawrence and Mike Larence

Book Overview

This revised and expanded edition examines bridge auctions where the opponents bid something and you have the opportunity to either let them have it or to balance. The cost of not balancing can be... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0939460130
• ISBN13: 9780939460137
• Release Date: May 2006
• Publisher: Baron Barclay Bridge Supplies
• Length: 209 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Don't let them get away with it.

This book is for the advanced bridge player, or one who aspires to that level. There are two hundred pages packed with competitive bidding advice. If you decide to buy it you will need a second copy for your partner.

When should you keep the bidding open?

The definitive book on when to keep the bidding open.

A Masterpiece!!

I just complete reading this book today. Even though now it's 21st century, this book stands well. You can find every situation you 'll encounter at the bridge table everyday. The dangerous and safe suits theory is one of the only two ways you should follow in auctions. It will enable you not losing your IMPs, MPs or even money. Trsut me, not those specular or fantasic declare's plays make you win, but those competitive biddings and solid defenses make you win. If you want to be a winner at table, buy this one and Mike's another book 'Complete book on Overcall'. Of course, 'To bid or not to bid','Kantar teaches Modern Denfese' and 'Kantar teaches Advanced Defense' also will make you a winner. And those classic 'Abbott' series just can amuse you and won't make you a winner.

Terrific book on a little discussed part of the game

Lawrence is probably the best writer on the game of bridge today. All his books are world class, but this is one of his best. Balancing is rarely discussed in bridge books, but presents difficult problems. Using the same style he used in "The Complete Book of Hand Evaluation," Lawrence examines all the common balancing situations. He discusses hand evaluation, planning a balancing auction, and common understandings (and misunderstandings). Lawrence's tone is never dogmatic: the emphasis is on specific examples and how to analyze situations rather than on mechanical rules. Where there is a choice of methods, he says so, discusses examples, the consensus approach, and his personal reference. Where a problem has no good solution, he does something unusual for a writer about games, he says so! Anything by Mike Lawrence is worth the money!

Complete, clear, thorough discussion of balancing.

Superb! This book has helped my game (particularly match-point pairs, but also IMP Swiss teams) immensely. Read it 5 times and insist your partners read it. Don't let your opponents read it.