224pp | ISBN 978-1-77140-024-4
$23.95
$19.95
£12.95
Categories: Bidding | Intermediate | Advanced | Canadian Authors
Paul Thurston’s 25 Steps to Learning 2/1 was an instant bestseller, winning the 2003 American Bridge Teachers’ Association Book of the Year award. In a tantalizing postscript to that book, he promised a sequel, one that would cover ‘the rest of the story’ for those who wanted to add modern sophistication to their 2/1 bidding. Here at last he delivers, and the long wait has been worth it. The book describes an understandable and playable version of today’s most popular system, something that has been missing from the literature until now.
Paul Thurston, who lives in South Ontario, Canada, divides his time between golf and bridge. He is the bridge columnist for Canada's National Post newspaper, and has been teaching and writing about bridge for many years. A former national champion, he has represented Canada in world competition both as a player and captain.
Thurston brings a teacher's touch to his writing. His recommendations are clear, the writing is easy to read, and he injects colour by telling stories about some of the hands he uses to illustrate points.
— Australian Bridge (David Morgan) Date: 2018-12-28
Thurston's points on hand evaluation are superb, as is his coverage of XYZ, on of the newer popular conventions. The [material on] handling auctions that include three bids of different suits at the one level is the best I've seen anywhere.
— ABTA Quarterly Date: 2018-05-09
Fourteen years ago, Paul Thurston promised a follow-up to his highly successful "25 Steps to Learning 2/1". It has been worth the wait for "Playing 2/1: The Rest of the Story". With a structure already in place, Thurston branches out into related bidding problems: major-suit openings in third and fourth chair; raising partner's major in competition; reverse bids. Throughout it all, Thurston's deft turn of phrase shines through, illuminating the material for the reader. Talking about the modern tendency for players to enter auctions as frequently as they like, Thurston warns "you'd better get ready for the harsh realities of all the Buttinskis out there waiting to harpoon the ill-prepared."
— The Belleville Intelligencer Date: 2017-12-18
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