“Classic Kantar – A collection of Bridge Humor”  by Eddie Kantar

 I recently read    Eddie Kantar’s “Classic Kantar – A collection of Bridge Humor” and I don’t think I have ever laughed out loud so much whilst reading a bridge book. Eddie Kantar is a former World Champion and one of North America’s great teachers. From reading this book I would imagine that it must have been a great privilege to have either played with him or having been taught by him.

The eighth chapter is entitled “The First Board “ and in this chapter he outlines (tongue in cheek I am sure), the 4 main ways you can undermine your opponents confidence on the first board you have to play against them. The first technique he refers to as “Faking a Ruff” On the board below you become declarer in 4 Spades and West leads the Ten of Hearts. You try dummy’s Queen and then make a silent prayer that East will not find the Diamond shift after winning his King. After a long trance East finds the Deuce of Diamonds switch. West wins with the King and plays the diamond Ten. You trump East’s Ace. Yes declare is revoking !! Now you consider your next play very seriously making sure that you do not look up to see what is happening. East is having a mini stroke- he thinks his partner has led the 10 back  holding the Jack. West on the other hand thinks his partner must have the Jack of Diamonds hidden behind another card. Baleful looks are flashing across the table. After a few disparaging comments you gasp “Gosh ! Here’s the Jack of Diamonds it was mixed up with my Hearts”

The overall effect is just beautiful. First you have made it clear that they don’t trust each other and secondly, each will inwardly hate the other for alerting you to your stupid revoke. He then observes they should be easy pickings for the next board.

If you would like to learn of the other three techniques and be delighted by this treasure trove of anecdotes then I can thoroughly recommend this book. It is just a pity that Mr Kantar doesn’t reside in the UK.

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