For better players in your group

This year, several books have been published that are aimed at strong players. First, let’s look at Tricks of

the Trade by Larry Cohen.

It is subtitled strategic thinking for advanced bridge. It contains 14 articles that appeared in The Bridge World magazine dating back to 1998, when Cohen was at his peak, winning 25 national championships. He and David Berkowitz also came very close to capturing the 1998 World Open Pairs title. The articles read like fireside chats as Cohen explains how to improve your game. One recommendation is to stay out of the newspapers; except, I assume, when being mentioned as a winner. Look at the North-South hands in this deal taken from a toprank pairs tournament. How would you try for an overtrick in five hearts? West leads the diamond queen; you win with the ace and cash the heart ace, both opponents following. North’s four-diamond rebid was a splinter, showing heart support and a singleton in diamonds. Five hearts was a quantitative slam-try, which North sensibly declined with only two queens. You could try for an endplay if an opponent has the club ace singleton or doubleton, but that is so unlikely with seven clubs missing. Against an expert at trick three, it is much better to lead your spade three. West is certain to play a smooth second hand low, hoping you have ace-third of spades and a guess to make. Here, though, you will put up dummy’s queen and gain an overtrick that will be worth a bushel of match points.