📖 Overview
Eddie Kantar Teaches Advanced Bridge Defense is an instructional bridge book focused on complex defensive card play techniques. The book builds upon foundational defensive concepts and presents sophisticated strategies for experienced players looking to improve their game.
Each chapter contains practice hands and detailed explanations of defensive scenarios that commonly arise at the bridge table. Kantar includes sections on card combinations, defensive signaling, and counting techniques that help defenders make optimal decisions during play.
The material progresses from intermediate concepts to expert-level defensive plays, with emphasis on partnership communication and reading declarer's intentions. Real game examples illustrate key principles and demonstrate how theoretical concepts translate into practical application.
This technical yet accessible text exemplifies the analytical depth required in high-level bridge defense while reinforcing the systematic approach needed to make challenging defensive decisions under pressure. The book serves as both a comprehensive learning tool and a reference guide for advancing players.
👀 Reviews
Bridge players find this book most valuable for its detailed examples and comprehensive coverage of defensive play. The book receives strong ratings on bridge forums and review sites.
Likes:
- Clear explanations of defensive signals and card combinations
- Practice hands that progress in difficulty
- Focus on partnership communication and defense
- Teaching through both correct and incorrect plays
- Helpful quizzes to test understanding
Dislikes:
- Advanced content not suitable for beginners
- Some readers find the practice hands too difficult
- A few note the writing can be dense in places
Ratings:
Bridgebum.com: 4.8/5 (12 reviews)
Amazon: 4.6/5 (31 reviews)
BridgeBase Forums: Multiple threads praising book's teaching approach
One reader on BridgeBase noted: "The section on defensive signals finally made everything click for me after years of confusion." Another mentioned: "Worth reading multiple times - you pick up new insights with each pass through."
📚 Similar books
Bridge Defense at the Advanced Level by Mike Lawrence
A comprehensive guide to defensive card play using real game examples from tournament matches.
Play Bridge with Reese by Terence Reese Each chapter presents bridge problems focused on defense tactics with explanations of correct techniques and common pitfalls.
Card Play Technique by Victor Mollo Analysis of defensive bridge strategies through practical scenarios that build from basic to complex situations.
Bridge Logic by Hugh Kelsey Step-by-step instruction on defensive reasoning and card combinations with emphasis on partnership cooperation.
Defense in Bridge by Julian Pottage Collection of bridge defense problems organized by specific techniques and accompanied by detailed solutions.
Play Bridge with Reese by Terence Reese Each chapter presents bridge problems focused on defense tactics with explanations of correct techniques and common pitfalls.
Card Play Technique by Victor Mollo Analysis of defensive bridge strategies through practical scenarios that build from basic to complex situations.
Bridge Logic by Hugh Kelsey Step-by-step instruction on defensive reasoning and card combinations with emphasis on partnership cooperation.
Defense in Bridge by Julian Pottage Collection of bridge defense problems organized by specific techniques and accompanied by detailed solutions.
🤔 Interesting facts
🎲 Eddie Kantar is a World Bridge Federation Hall of Fame player who has won multiple World Championships and represented the United States in 11 World Bridge Olympiads
🎴 Bridge defense is considered one of the most challenging aspects of the game, as defenders can only see their own cards and dummy's cards, making it crucial to interpret partner's signals correctly
🃏 The book introduces advanced defensive concepts like "Smith Echo" and "Surround Plays," techniques that are essential for high-level competitive bridge
🎲 Eddie Kantar has written more than 35 bridge books and is known for his humorous writing style that makes complex concepts more accessible to learners
🃏 The techniques taught in this book are used by professional bridge players in major tournaments, where a single defensive mistake can cost thousands of dollars in prize money