Bridge is a game of mistakes. It’s not a matter of being brilliant; the expert players never make basic mistakes that the good player does occasionally. Yes, sometimes there is a deal where the expert makes a brilliant play. But what often separates the expert from non-expert players is their play at Trick One, then trying to decide how to continue. So often it’s already too late. The key to the deal was Trick One. More contracts are lost or are allowed to make at Trick One than at any other time. But sorry, no mulligans in bridge. This book, a follow-up to my similar book from five years ago, presents a new series of deals as quizzes either for the declarer or a defender. Of course you have a big clue from the title. I hope you will find the deals and discussions interesting enough to help you improve your thinking before, not after you play that first card. Speed kills.
