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Eddie Kantar Teaches
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Author: Eddie Kantar
Software: Bridge Base, Inc.
Level: Novice to Intermediate
Platform: Windows
Publisher: Master Point Press
Format: Interactive Instructional CD-ROM
This Windows-based CD-ROM is a must-have for the novice to intermediate player who wants to improve their defensive play.
The book on which this CD-ROM is based was the Book-Of-The-Year in 1999 for the American Bridge Teachers Association, and the CD is even better because computer software is a more efficient way to work through review questions. (See a screen shot.)
In particular, the software makes it easy to go straight to the review questions for each chapter, so you can go back over the questions from time-to-time to reinforce what you have learned.
As someone who usually does pretty well in the local club events, I was prepared to blow through this material pretty quickly when I saw how elementary the first chapter was ("Leading Against Notrump") . But the CD quickly got into subtleties which have previously escaped me.
For example, you may know that against a Notrump contract, a lead of fourth-best should promise an honor in the suit, but what would you lead from 9732 of a suit? Not the 2, since you don't have an honor, but not the 9 either, because that might be able to win a trick later, so you would lead the 7.
Be honest - if you didn't pick the 7, then you already need this CD, because this example is from the first chapter and only starts to scratch the surface of what you will learn.
Here's an example from a later chapter:
Against a Notrump contract, you lead the 3 from QT632. Dummy lays down the 7-4, partner plays the Ace, then leads the 5. Declarer follows with the 8 first, then the 9. What are the exact suit holdings for partner and declarer?
Partner's holding was A5; declarer's, KJ98. Pard's play of the Ace denies the King. His return of the 5 (the lowest remaining card since you can see the 2-3-4) has to be either fourth-best or a doubleton. If partner has four, then he would have AKJ5 (since declarer has shown the other two cards), and we've already established that he can't have the King.
After covering opening leads and responses to opening leads, the CD gets into defensive signalling, including such niceities as when it is essential to lie to your partner with your signals.
Other chapters consider what to do when you are second to play, and how to decide what to keep and what to save whenn discarding.
The CD has some typos and glitches (once it tells you that East has the Jack of Hearts, then asks if East has the Jack of Hearts), but these are minimal.
Again, Eddie Kantar Teaches Modern Bridge Defense
is a must-have for the novice to intermediate player.
Also see our review of Eddie Kantar Teaches Advanced Bridge Defense.
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