Paperback, 200 pp., ISBN 1-894154-52-5
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Do you remember the first few times you played bridge? To get you started, a friend probably gave you a few helpful hints -- perhaps one of the ones listed to the left. There are many such general guidelines for bridge players -- some of them valuable, some not. But these are the Bridge Myths, not the Bridge Rules -- because they all have exceptions and none should be followed blindly. In reading this book you will get to see what it is about each guideline that makes it so useful; more importantly, you will also learn to recognize the times when you should ignore it.

DECLARER'S MYTHS
- Draw trumps straight away
- Hold up an ace
- Win as cheaply as possible
- Play low in second seat
- Eight ever, nine never
- Ruff losers in the dummy
- Finesse whenever you can
- Play on your longest suit first
- Lead towards high cards
- Ruff the defenders' winners
- Lead low to a trick
- Run your longest suit
- Leave the big decision until last

DEFENDER'S MYTHS
- Third hand high
- Return partner's suit
- Cover an honor with an honor
- Second hand low
- Capture an honor with an honor
- Lead through strength
- Discard from your weakest suit
- Score a ruff when you can
- Never give a ruff-and-sluff
- Split your honors
- Follow low when a trick is lost
- Don't ruff partner's winner

David Bird writes two regular newspaper columns in the UK, and his work appears regularly in numerous bridge magazines in the UK and the US. He has written more than forty previous books, including the well-known St.Titus Abbey series. His other books include The Bridge Technique Series with Marc Smith, Bridge Squeezes for Everyone.

'David Bird teaches you what is useful about each myth and, more importantly, when and why you should ignore the myth. Throughout, his clear and forceful style enhances your understanding of the material.'
- Belleville Intelligencer

'David Bird is one of the best writers on the game, and this book is well up to his usual high standard.'
- BRIDGE magazine

'This is a book for students who have completed the beginner's course and are anxious to improve, and it contains the most important ingredient of all: it makes you think. Highly recommended.'
- Bridge Plus magazine

'Teachers can have fun using this material for students who have already heard and used the basic sayings'
- Pat Harrington, ABTA

'A super addition to the '25' series for the newer player to start to learn the basics of more advanced analysis'
- American Bridge Teachers' Association

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