📖 Overview
Bridge Logic presents a systematic approach to card play and defense in contract bridge. The book focuses on helping players develop sound logical reasoning at the bridge table.
Author Hugh Kelsey breaks down complex bridge situations into their component parts and demonstrates how to analyze them step by step. Through practical examples and exercises, readers learn to deduce critical information about unseen cards and discover optimal lines of play.
The content progresses from basic principles to advanced techniques, covering topics like counting, elimination plays, safety plays, and inferences from bidding and defense. Each concept builds upon previous material in a structured sequence.
At its core, this is a book about the intersection of mathematical probability and practical card play, demonstrating how disciplined thinking leads to better bridge results. The text emphasizes the importance of organizing one's thoughts at the table rather than relying on memorized patterns.
👀 Reviews
Readers value this book for teaching competitive bridge thinking rather than just rules and conventions. The clear examples and step-by-step explanations help readers understand complex bridge concepts.
Likes:
- Makes advanced techniques accessible to intermediate players
- Strong focus on practical play situations
- Shows how to think through hands systematically
- Useful practice problems with detailed solutions
Dislikes:
- Dense technical language can be hard for beginners
- Some examples need more explanation
- Print quality and typesetting issues in newer editions
- A few readers note errors in the practice hand solutions
Ratings:
Goodreads: 4.1/5 (21 ratings)
Amazon UK: 4.5/5 (12 ratings)
BridgeBum.com forum: Multiple positive mentions, no numerical rating
"This book improved my declarer play more than any other" - Amazon reviewer
"Not for novices but rewards careful study" - Goodreads review
"The chapter on elimination play is worth the price alone" - BridgeBum forum comment
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Bridge Squeezes Complete by Clyde E. Love A mathematical approach to understanding and executing squeeze plays in bridge through categorization and analysis of every possible squeeze position.
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Card Play Technique by Victor Mollo A systematic breakdown of declarer play and defensive techniques through carefully constructed example hands.
Play Bridge with Reese by Terence Reese A collection of bridge problems that focuses on the logical reasoning process behind expert-level card play decisions.
Bridge Squeezes Complete by Clyde E. Love A mathematical approach to understanding and executing squeeze plays in bridge through categorization and analysis of every possible squeeze position.
Killing Defense at Bridge by Hugh Kelsey A comprehensive examination of defensive card play that builds from basic principles to complex strategies using real game scenarios.
🤔 Interesting facts
🌟 Hugh Kelsey was one of the most prolific bridge writers of the 20th century, authoring over 50 books on the game
🎯 Bridge Logic emphasizes the importance of logical thinking in card play, rather than just memorizing rules and conventions
📚 The book was published in 1985 and remains influential in bridge education circles today
🏆 Hugh Kelsey represented Scotland in international bridge competitions and was renowned for both his playing and teaching abilities
🔍 The book uses carefully selected example hands that demonstrate how proper logical deduction can lead to successful contracts that might seem impossible at first glance