Becoming a good declarer starts with some basic principles. All the books tell you the same thing; before playing to Trick 1, think and form a plan. But what should you think about? Players often look at a deal and see a new mystery, a complex problem. They become overwhelmed. Of all the ways of winning tricks, cashing high cards and taking finesses are easiest. But establishing a long suit requires effort and care. To set up intermediate cards, lose tricks you cannot avoid losing. The most common type of deal is a second suit. This book will focus entirely on variations of second suit type deals. It is divided into chapters, including one on defense, but there is some overlap. I show all four hands for convenience, but try covering the hands except dummy’s and your own until you have played the deal through mentally.

Dr James Marsh Sternberg is a radiologist in Palm Beach Gardens Florida & Professor of Radiology at two northern universities. He currently teaches bridge in Florida. He has won several North American National Championships and has written extensively for many bridge publications. He is the author of “Trump Suit Headaches; Rx for Declarers and Defenders”, “Playing to Trick One”, “Finesses, Only a Last Resort”, and “Blocking and Unblocking.” “Dr J” lives in Palm Beach Gardens with Vickie Bader. He can be reached at mmay001@aol.com.

Danny Kleinman is a world class bridge player, backgammon expert, author, and teacher. He has improved the game for an innumerable number of students and authored more bridge and backgammon books than could be listed here. He prides himself however, mainly as a song writer. Danny Kleinman lives and in Los Angeles. He can be reached at dannyk13@ca.rr.com

paperback; 2022; 177 pages