{"product_id":"be-a-difficult-bridge-opponent-9781771402712","title":"Be a Difficult Bridge Opponent","description":"\u003cp\u003eMany players you face are competent enough, but fairly easy to play against. Just a few will be in a altogether different category. Not only do they bid and play accurately, they constantly find a way to make your life difficult. They take away your bidding space by pre-empting on hands where other players tend to pass. Their switches in defense often create a problem for you. They are... difficult opponents.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn this book, we will look at bidding, declarer play and defense, showing how you can join this elite group. We will recommend pre-emptive opening bids, sometimes only on five-card suits. Also, you must sometimes take risks with a fit for partner, raising to a higher level than you may do at present. As declarer, you will hide your intentions, disguise your hand, and choose lines of play that make the defenders sit back in their chair. When defending, you must envision declarer's plan and find a way to engineer a problem or a tricky guess.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhy should you want to do this? The main reason, of course, is to improve your results and win more events. Just as important is the enjoyment and excitement that playing in this way will bring. \"How on earth did you beat the spade game on Board 11?\" you will be asked!\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eBird, David:\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e - DAVID BIRD (Southampton, UK) is the world's most prolific bridge writer, with 166 titles to his name. Known for his clarity of writing, he has won the American Bridge Teachers' Association 'Book of the Year' a record 12 times. His celebrated humorous fiction, featuring the cantankerous Abbot, has run for 50 years. Both he and Marc commentate and write reports on the world major championships.\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eSmith, Marc:\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e - MARC SMITH (Southampton, UK) is co-author, with Barbara Seagram, of the world's best-selling bridge book, 25 Bridge Conventions You Should Know. He has written many bridge books and enjoyed countless tournament wins, from the 1984 Junior European Union Championship to the 2025 Premier Grandmaster Pairs. He is a popular bridge teacher on the internet, at all levels of play.","brand":"Master Point Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51720820719890,"sku":"9781771402712","price":16.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_9b397ee0-1250-45cb-b5ce-79da9bf323ae.jpg?v=1762937490","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/be-a-difficult-bridge-opponent-9781771402712","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}