Do you play Stayman? By Stayman -Used

Another bridge book by Sam Stayman means thought-provoking reading for bridge players. Mr. Stayman is one of the foremost American bridge players, having represented the United States the last time this country won the Bermuda Bowl, the Kentucky Derby of duplicate bridge. He has written several earlier books, including a small one on his well-known Stayman Convention. (To non-expert bridge players: the Stayman Convention is second in popularity and widespread use only to the übiquitous Blackwood Convention.) His earlier bopk simply outlined the convention, basipg title various requirements for bids on a special, more accurate point count. In this book he bases his discussions on the popular 4-3-2-1 point count, but clearly makes the point that some adjustment is necessary for more accurate bidding. The book is divided into two sections, the first for "average" players and the second for "advanced" players. This reviewer would define an "average" player as one who is serious about bridge and who plays occasionally or semi-regularly either rubber or duplicate bridge. An "advanced" player is one who thinks he is. All the many sections are well-written and lucid and tend to stress a greater reliance on judgment than on codification. The first section covers the basic features of the Stayman Convention, which is designed primarily for finding 4-4 major suit fits after an opening no-trump bid. But this section also covers slam bidding in the minor suits and competitive bidding situations. And always there is the comment and advice of one of our leading experts. In the advanced section Stayman makes a good case for the 15-17 point no trump and the 12-14 point no trump non-vulnerable. He also covers many of the finer points of competitive and slam bidding. There are about 175 titled subsections in the advanced part, each one covering some specific point or situation. There are summaries in both parts, and a loose pocket guide summary of the summaries. All in all, this book will be interesting and valuable reading for all but beginning bridge players. For a player to adopt Stayman's suggestions will not require him to adjust his own bidding style overly much as the author bases his whole presentation on "standard American" bidding.