Cut for Partners

Dry

Published posthumously, this book on contract bridge shows clear signs of lack of finish - poor grammar, inconsistent statements (passing partner's takeout double of 1S on QT983 trumps is praised in deal one of rubber 3, but passing partner's takeout double of 1H on KT6532 trumps is castigated in deal nine of rubber 3). So why 5 stars?Each deal features comical behaviour by the cast of characters, followed by a truly fascinating analysis of the pros and cons of various actions in the situations that arose. Here is the model on which Victor Mollo built his more famous Menagerie, but I prefer the original.Interestingly, although bridge theory has changed considerably from the time and place from which Simon wrote, almost all these deals pose similarly fascinating problems today. For example, several hands pose the question whether one should overcall 1S with 2H on a weak distributional hand. These days, the 2H overcall is usually played stronger, so the question becomes whether to make a WJO of 3H. This sounds much more dangerous, until one realizes that with opponents playing negative doubles the danger is reduced, but so is the preemptive effect.Try writing down what you think is the proper bidding and play on each deal in this book, and asking your partner to do the same. I guarantee this will produce some heated arguments!For those who have already read his more famous WYLAB, this book struck me as somewhat darker in tone. Simon is more hostile to Futile Willie than before. Someone once told me Simon had committed suicide shortly after finishing this book: perhaps he saw part of himself in Willie?

Exactly as described. I try to be picky and find something negative to say. I cannnot find anything to say