Being slightly compulsive obsessive, I like things that are well made to suit their purpose. So the first thing that struck my about this book is its size 10cm-by-14cm and how easily it fits into the pocket or handbag when taking it to bridge.

Published by the prolific authors Pamela and Matthew Granovetter, publishers of Bridge Today eMagazine and a number of meaningful bridge books, this 112 page expanded edition details more than 190 conventions. Most are mainstream and there are a few that I must confess I have never come across.

Perhaps the best way to let you know about this book is to give you a few examples of the conventions contained in the book.

BERGEN RAISES

These are specialized raises of opener's major-suit opening bid. After partner opens 1 or 1 and the next hand passes you bid:

2 of opener's major to show 6-9 with 3-card support

3 to show 6-9 with 4-card support

3 to show 10-11 with 4-card support

3 of opener's major to show 0-5 points with 4 trumps

Note 3 and 3 are totally artificial.

DEFENSE

Double of 3 or 3 are usually lead-directing bids, but may be the start of a two-suiter (when you hold that minor plus the unbid major).

Double of a raise is, as usual, takeout.

If responder bids 3 or 3 and you (in fourth position) have a strong hand with shortness in the opener's major, you can pass, wait for the opponents to return to their major, then double for takeout.

Alternatively you may bid the opener's major which is a cuebid, showing a strong 5-5 hand, five cards in the unbid major and five cards in the unbid minor.

-------------------------------

Normally Bergen raises are used in conjunction with Jacoby 2NT so let's have a look at that.

JACOBY 2NT

  K 7 5 4 3 2
  K 9 5 3
  K 10
  2

This is a popular system for game-forcing raises of opener's major, played usually in conjunction with limit raises (or Bergen Raises):

2NT means that responder has at least four-card support and a game-going hand. Opener rebids as follows:

New suit at the three-level = singleton

Rebid 3 of his major = 16+ points

3NT = Good 14 or 15 points

4 of a new suit = a good 5-card side suit (though some people play it shows a void in the suit bid)

4 of the trump suit = a minimum

DEFENSE

Make a lead-directing bid over 2NT at the three-level, if you can afford to be doubled (i.e., you are not vulnerable and have some good shape).

-------------------------------

Who should consider buying this book? All bridge players who play in duplicates. It is an invaluable guide not only to what you may choose to play but provides an excellent resource as to the opponents' system and suggested defenses to them.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

- David Stern, Australia

To order the booklet now, click here