Bridge books on all aspects of the game are plentiful. However many times reference is made to a specific technique, a rule, a law, different terms and their definitions. This book tries to explain those guidelines of the game which many players have not heard of, don't understand or ignore to their own detriment. It's not really meant as a complete treatment of any aspect of bridge. It simply tries to touch on some "Oddz" and "Endz" of the game which may need clarification to some and learning to others. Basically, the book tries to clarify some of those points which you've heard only fleetingly or have left you puzzled when reading something about the game.

Bridge books, like any other reference books can be tedious reading because they require your undivided attention and concentration. However to eliminate the tediousness this book has been written in a light manner and has been interspersed with Bridge stories, humorous anecdotes and one-liners. For example: All those who play at this club bring joy - some when they enter and some when they leave.

As new players continue the learning process, they try to follow all those clich?'s and myths with which they are inundated. As they progress through the learning stages, they begin to appreciate why these guidelines have exceptions, and get better at recognizing them. But once they reach a certain level of competence, there is a fork in the road. Those who don't wish to learn any more or those who feel that more learning is either beyond them or a waste of time take one branch of that road. The others become so enamoured or addicted, if you will, that they can't get enough of the game, take the other road. They want to play as often as humanly possible. They want to learn every convention which has ever surfaced (good or bad) and they read every bridge book that has been written. They endeavour to play with those from whom they can learn and never hesitate to engage their local experts in conversation about this wonderful game. However, even after reaching a level which is not far above the beginner stage, they feel that they are ready for advanced classes. There are others who can play a respectable game and are still a long way from expert level who feel that they too, belong only in advanced classes. Yet there is a common denominator for all these players regardless of the group to which they belong. And that is the basics. Very few bridge players truly know the basics. In an upcoming book, I mention a hundred mistakes which are made by many players who are seldom aware of 5% of them. All this preamble brings us to the point of this book. And that is that all those experienced players who play regularly but seldom win are guilty of committing the seven deadly sins of bridge. If those aspiring to become experts really want to reach the pinnacle, they must learn the basics and stop committing the 7 deadly sins. As we are all aware, this game breaks down into bidding, declarer play and defence. Each of these sections, if a more complete examination were made, would reveal many troublesome situations. However, this book will deal primarily with errors of omission and not commission. And since the title suggests only seven, the author's omissions might be considered as errors. The seven deadly sins of bridge will highlight what would appear to be the most lacking aspects of the average player's game, oops 8.

Even the best players in the world went through the same learning stages as we mortals. We all started by feeling oeverwhelmed and frustrated, but we soldiered on. After all, you can't become competent in any endeavour without total effort, immersion, if you will. And these efforts were worthwhile because we realized the eventual reward. - a wider range of friends and mental exercise - was that 'pot of gold' at the end of the rainbow. However, those beginning efforts were essentially rote learning of cliches. It was only as we gained playing experience that we began to realize that nothing replaced thinking and being ' ever vigilant'. As you read on, you will begin to appreciate how thinking makes the learning more complete and with it a more complete bridge player. Bridge really is a thinker's game.

Many bridge books have been written over the years. The one judged to be the best of all time is 'Why You Lose at Bridge' by S.J. Simon.

Even Goren, himself, in his forward to the book says that, not only weaker players can benefit from ift but so can the more experienced.

Although bridge players don't always lose, they seldom win as often as they would like or even as often as they should. "Why You Seldom Win at Bridge' aims to put you in the winner's circle more often. Observe a good player in action for any length of time and you might not see many spectacular plays, but you'll also see very few mistakes. The better players make far fewer than we mortals. Consider tennis for a moment. The winner will almost always be the player who makes the fewest unforced errors. The same applies to bridge. Make fewer mistakes and win more often. It's the players who make the same blunders, time and time again who seldom win, and then bemoan their bad luck or blame the bridge gods. Covering those little things in the bidding, declarer play and defence that too may players mess up, is the thrust of this book.

The game of bridge has changed a great deal in recent years. This book will help you with those little things that you aren't doing well or aren't doing at all.

It's a win/win situation.