The latest version of Book 1 in the Audrey Grant series is the best guidance on how to bid using current basic Standard American principles. Too many players and partners get too complicated in their bidding styles.

I own this series and have found them extremely helpful. While some reviewers are critical the books don't cover ever aspect of the subject... I found them just right for helping me when I was beginning to play bridge, and as I advanced in my play. Learning to play bridge is a process, it takes time and as I reread these books I understand more and more.

These are MUST HAVE for beginners and intermediate players.

The major drawback to the books in this series is that they are missing what a good reference should have - an index!

Lots of excellent information, quizzes to test understanding, well organized. When you want to refer back to it, you have to hunt through the table of contents and then do some paging.

That said, I own two and will probably add the "Play in the 21st Century".

ACBL is revising its long run four volume "Bridge Series" and the first volume about bidding features some questionable changes and is missing some very useful information.

It is doubtful that novicesshould be told that only 25 points are needed for a 3NT or 4 of a major suit game contract. Beginners need extra points to make up for their lack of card playing skills.

Also, they need 16-18 HCP to open 1NT but should be told that 15-17 may be enough later.

More serious is the lack of strict standards for opening one of a suit. All 13 point hands don't qualify. E.g. Ax-Kxx-QJxx-QJxx should not be opened nor should QJ-QJ-QJ-Axxxxxx. Neither hand has enough quick tricks, which come from combinations of A,K and Q in the same suit. Also, unguarded honor cards should not be counted as full point value, but the author fails to mention any of these concepts stressed by Ch.Goren.

The book lacks any index or indications in the glossary about where to find various consepts and ideas, but which was part of the earlier book.
The pink summary pages was an asset in the previous book but now missing.

The discussion of strong and weak two bids is too superficial.

Aside from the above criticism the book is very attractive and good.

Audrey Grant is absolutely one of the finest writers of Bridge instruction. I have used her books for 6 years and this new revision is again improved from previous editions. The book is for beginners but I can assure you that players of many years can and will benefit from the concepts put forth in her new book.
Dave Drewes ACBL certified teacher