Control The Bidding

Book excerpt: Winning demands control of the bidding. Before a card is played you must fight for the high ground or hustle your opponents beyond their safe level. Pro-active and fearless but not reckless in this hugely exciting partnership arena, you must judge every last auction nuance and, terrier-like, destroy your opponents' communication and confidence whilst enhancing your own. Dodge their snares, resist their ploys but win the high stakes by forcing them to gamble - yourself delivering their misfortunes - and by your willingness to bet on certainty. Paul is author of companion volumes Bridge for Complete Beginners and The Right Way to Play Bridge, the leading book for the improving player, and bridge correspondent of The Financial Times. He began by winning the National Championships and now writes and lectures worldwide.