If you’re looking for resources that can teach you how to play and defend a stronger game, bridge books and articles are one of the primary recommendations.
Books on other skills like financial planning, plumbing, or venomous snakes shouldn’t make sense as places to go for bridge advice. And yet, dear reader, I would like to pose the argument that reading books not about bridge can be one of the best methods to better bridge techniques.
Before I become a statistical bridge table murder, I’ll start by saying that reading bridge books and articles are just as important.
I’ve just realized that non-bridge books are often underestimated, or never seen as potentially advantageous to your bridge game.
Here are some of the unlikely books I’ve found useful for bridge, and why.
Music Theory For Dummies
Music theory has always been one of my favourite languages to study.
While I’m far from fluent at it, I’ve learned enough skills to make sense of basic sheet music when I see it. On clear days, I can even write a most basic chord line down in proper fancy theory.
For bridge, music theory taught me rhythm. Played tricks are much like a metronome, and there’s a distinct rhythm to every game and partnership in the world.
Have you learned to listen to it?
Read a book or two about music theory and you might.
The Art Of War
The Art Of War is often recommended for wargames, and I feel not often enough for bridge. It’s just as relevant to bridge as it is to any other game (chess, for example).
Strategy is pretty important for any bridge game.
The Art Of War goes over many general strategy maxims that bridge players can use.
Apply some of it to your next bridge game and see what a difference it can make.
The Lord Of The Flies
The Lord Of The Flies is a classic.
Whether you’ve seen the movie or read the book, it’s certain scenes and the storyline that are guaranteed to stick with you.
What does it have to do with bridge?
Well, have you seen the average comments section?
Even the most polite comments section will eventually lean a little towards disaster, if not fall right over into it.
Without bridge administrators, moderators, and other online bridge staff, the average online discussion would be as civil as a pig’s head on a stick.
Spud
If you haven’t read (or heard of) the book known as Spud, I’d like you to check it out.
Spud is a unique coming-of-age story that takes place through the eponymous character’s eyes. While there are several books in the series, start with the first (and work your way from there once you’re sufficiently into the series).
Dynamics between friends (and presumably, enemies and adversaries) is a strong element throughout the book. It’s bound to call up some feelings of nostalgia for anyone who reads it, and might hold a few strategy tips between the lines.