How to Play a Bridge Hand: 12 Easy Chapters to Winning Bridge by America's Premier Teacher

I'm not reviewing here the content of the book, but rather a ruinous physical limitation of the book itself: it was printed on cheap paper, and the thing became saturated with a rust-colored fungus (note: I'm not a biologist. I'm assuming it's a fungus) before I could even read it, and I had to throw it away. My recommendation: unless you live in a very dry climate, buy the Kindle version, and enjoy a fungus-free read for a cheaper price.

I'm surprised this book is as revered as it is. Despite his admission that "The best approach is to learn the important guidelines... and then try to figure things out for yourself at the table," Root spends almost no time on guidelines or how to think for yourself at the table. He repeatedly introduces a subject, and instead of discussing any theory simply jumps into example after example of the subject. We are left to tease out any general principles for ourselves. It's a good reference of hands illustrating different challenges, but it's a terrible book to learn from.

Watson is (was) the undisputed classic on Play of the Hand. But today, you cannot do any better than this. Any novice or Intermediate level player will gain from reading this, and even more advanced players may find things of interest. Highly recommended.

Root's book on play of the hand is the best textbook on the topic. It is one of only three bridge books I recommend. It is written by an American for Americans. The book's organization is fantastic. I've written thousands of pages of instructional material for college students, and I think anyone can learn from studying this book.

This book has truly wonderful information but it is NOT EASY by any means, which is what the title and the writeup say. And though stuffed with content, the book is really sketchy and makes you read between the lines. I stopped reading after having a hard time making sense of the first 2-3 chapters. I would say if you haven't been playing seriously for a year, this is likely not the right book for you.

The ideas are clear and presented with easy to comprehend examples.No side tracking with high level ideas as many Bridge writers love to do (we know you are a genius, but here we want to learn with our own level)Every idea is presented separately with plenty to examples and a good quiz for each chapter.

I bought this book and two other books by Mr. Root because he is well-known as an outstanding bridge player and teacher. I am studying this book along with the Audrey Grant books on bridge. Although this is a good series, I think the Grant books are better. Often the two series don't always agree. But Grant's explanations are clearer that the Root books.

It's good but it's taking a lot of time to read.

The best book I have ever read on declarer play in bridge, it covers every facetof play from basic principles to complex squeeze play in such a simple mannerI have played this game for 50 years and have yet to see a better book on How to play a bridge hand.

Found it to be a little complicated as I am a beginner

An absolutely cracking bridge guide.

A classic. Very helpful.

ok