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Rating: 
Summary: Not just for idiots - or beginners
Review: H. Anthony Medley read a degree in Chemistry at UCLA before later taking up bridge - quite successfully it seems. This ostensible piece of trivia is actually important, as most of the book is set out quite logically and the reader may feel some confidence that it is written by someone with scientific training.The book starts by slowly going through the rules of the game, which is obviously essential. The remainder can then be divided into three parts: bidding, play and advanced techniques. By far the major share, in terms of number of chapters, goes into teaching bidding techniques - largely focussing on how to find the correct contract when the partnership has points short of game, but also discussing Strong Two bidding, pre-emptive bidding and slam bidding (including Blackwood although not Gerber). Advice on bidding takes up approximately 50 per cent of the book. In most cases, the rationale behind bidding (ie. counter-balancing the dangers of overbidding with the inherent waste of underbidding) is explained to give the reader an understanding of why bids are made, instead of merely presenting the reader with a long list of conventions to memorise. The sections on play (20 per cent of the book) are also helpful, although less comprehensive and not justified in as much detail as the bidding sections. The advanced sections (10 per cent) are concisely and very effectively written, covering topics such as Weak Two bidding, transfers and cue bids used for finding slam. The single greatest strength of the book is the time the author takes to clearly explain the motivation behind bidding; any careful reader should - if they wish - be capable of devising their own bidding principles after having read the book. That being said, if Medley wants to present the book as some sort of intellectual undertaking it falls considerably short of this, as he contradicts himself several times in the bidding chapters. Although most of the contradictions are relatively minor (involving, for example, a choice between rebidding a 5 card suit at the 2 level versus passing partner's 1 No Trump response), nonetheless it is frustrating for a dedicated reader to be faced with such inconsistencies, and this reader thought someone with scientific training could have done better. The writing style of the book is decidedly anecdotal, which is a strength or weakness depending on the individual taste of the reader. Perhaps an aspiring beginner could expose themselves to contrasting writing styles by purchasing this book in conjunction with a less informally written book such as "ACOl Bridge for Bright Beginners" by Kambites & Kelsey. Nonetheless, Medley's book thoroughly deserves its status as a best seller.
Rating: 
Summary: I LEARNED from this book
Review: I once read a book, which was recommended to me as the authoritative text on the subject. I read it, enjoyed it, and carefully shelved it. But not once, not being a doctor, did I attempt Brain Surgery. The only caveat to Mr. Medley's book I can offer is this.
If you don't play bridge, you will never learn bridge. I must admit, and I am still a beginner at this classic of card games, that Mr. Medley's book has made me a better bidder, and I play the cards better. My partner still screams at me, but I know now that screaming is part of the game. Oddly enough, the game is easy. It's the scoring that's tough. But a whole chapter is devoted to those who care more about points than about playing the game. "The Complete Idiot's Guide to BRIDGE" is a fun read, easily understood, immediately apllicable , and damned good writing!Butlike my book on Brain surgery, unless you try it, you'll never understand it. Buy the book. Find three other people, and PLAY THE GAME. Then a lot becomes clear.
Rating: 
Summary: No help
Review: Well, after reading this book twice I still don't know how to play bridge. This says a lot about how useful this book is for a total newbie, since I'm not really dumb or anything. If you already know something about bridge, this book could help you play better, to something akin to the advanced beginner level.
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