2 Over 1 Game Force (The Official Better Bridge)

I like the book's clarity.

This book talks about a method for communicating with your partner when playing bridge, 2/1. It goes into great detail which is good and bad. There’s too much information to absorb all at once. This is a book where you study each chapter separately rather than read it through. It is like a text book.

Very well written reference, characteristic of all Audrey Grant and Eric Rodwell material.It does assume more than basic knowledge of Standard American system, and of bridge in general. This makes it a book for intermediate players. It is not for the beginners, though I suppose 2/1 is really only for advancing players since it is an extension of, and an evolution from SA. In that respect, I would suggest "25 Steps to Learning 2/1 (Master Point Press)." I would give that book 5 stars. If you were to buy only one, I would suggest Paul Thurston's book, which 'talks down to you' by design.The book under review is also a great resource. I would however have preferred many more quizzes at the end of each subject. Also, many basic elements such as Bergen raises and New Minor Forcing have been left out. I think they could have easily been accommodated here. Great thing about this and all of Grant / Baron Barclay books is that the suits are printed in color. Very easy on the eyes..so are the bidding 'boxes'. The paper and the book are of very high quality.One complaint I have relates to the physical size. It is a bit narrow and that makes test a bit dense. They should print all their books the size and style of those by Master Point Press.

I am reading ahead for a class I am taking. The class is 8 weeks and starts soon. This is required but I am finding I know this convention just from reading the book.

She just began playing bridge with a group of friends. Used this great book to learn more.

Would recommend highly. Easiest book to understand 2/1

I am not a big fan of the 2 over 1 bidding system. This book shows its strong points.I use the book to see how the contracts reached by BFUN compare with those reached by 2 over 1. The two approaches share for forcing 1 no trump response, more so in BFUN than 2/1, because many 2/1 responses are used for bail outs with weak hands.BFUN is a big club, Canape, big club system. What would otherwise sound like a reverse is limited by the absence of a big club opening. Canape bidding (short suits first) can lead to the necessity for what would otherwise be reverses in standard bidding.

Clear and well written. Summary in each chapter very helpful. Questions explain each topic very well

Very informative. Just what I was looking for. Thanks. Lynne

Not very effective for medium & expert players

Easy to follow.

If you travel the world and enjoy a game of bridge, knowledge of 2 over 1 game force is essential. My most recent venture took me to the Canadian and Diamond bridge clubs in Dubai and the Vajira bridge centre in Sri Lanka. 2 over 1 seems to be the standard system in Dubai and is the system now taught in Sri Lanka, although some players prefer to stick to Standard American (5 card majors, strong 1NT opening).British Acol players can adapt to Standard American very easily. The opening 1 No Trump bid is usually 15-17 points with Stayman and red suit transfers and it is a question of adjusting arithmetic from the 12-14 point Acol opening. Only 5 card (or more) major suits may be opened and a 1 club opening may have to be made on a doubleton with a 4432 shape hand. If you take a cruise from any American port you are likely to have an American 'bridge director' with lessons and play based on this system.2 over 1 game force is an adaption of Standard American and this book assumes a knowledge of it. The basic premise that the sequences 1S-2C, 1S-2D, 1S-2H, 1H-2C, 1H-2D and 1D-2C are game forcing is simple enough. You require a hand good enough to open to make these bids. The difficulty is that a 1NT response to 1H or 1S has to cover a large point range (6-11). The solution is that 1NT becomes forcing for one round. This book devotes a large number of pages to the various sequences that arise and what they show.The concept is not new. Anyone who learned the Precision bidding system or followed the exploits of the late Jeremy Flint (Tiger Bridge and the Flint-Pender bidding system) will be familiar with it.Another large chunk of the book is devoted to hands enabling a slam to be investigated without passing game (the main advantage claimed for 2 over 1 methods).This book does not teach a 2 over 1 bidding system but merely the modifications required to Standard American to play 2 over 1. It does this very well. The step by step guide takes a very easy pace with plenty of illustrative hands and quizzes. While most of the example hands have been selected to show 2 over 1 methods at their best they do demonstrate how slams can be bid that would be missed using standard methods.If you know Standard American but not the intricacies of 2 over 1 and would like to know more this book is an excellent starting point. With a world champion (Eric Rodwell) and experienced and well respected teacher (Audrey Grant) to guide you this book is everything you would expect.

Clear, with excellent illustrations, unexpected learning points, simple to understand. I have read too many bridge books which are written by enthusiastic (and possibly good) bridge players, - but this is written by good players who know how to teach. Highly recommended.