Holiday gifts for bridge players

Still looking for the perfect gift for your friends and relatives who play bridge (or who would like to learn)? Here are some ideas:

Best new books (published in 2007):

The Backwash Squeeze and Other Improbable Feats
By Edward McPherson. This an entertaining read for players of all skill levels. Subtitled "A Newcomer's Journey Through the World of Bridge", the book chronicles the author's learning process and his experiences at his first tournaments. It includes interesting interviews and anecdotes, bridge history and an overview of bridge rules.

Off-Road Declarer Play
by David Bird. This unique book explores unusual ways to play a bridge hand, with explanations of why and when such techniques may be necessary. The methods include strategies for creating entries, surviving bad trump breaks, elopements and inducing the defenders to help you.

Bridge Endplays for Everyone
By David Bird. A guide to executing all types of endplays, with clear instructions and many example hands.

Encyclopedia of Card Play Techniques
By Guy Leve. Originally published in France in 2005, this comprehensive volume describes and classifies hundreds of card-play tactics, from simple finesses to complex squeezes. Each technique is explained in detail and illustrated with an example deal.

Canada's Bridge Warriors
By Roy Hughes. This is the fascinating account of the three-decades-long partnership of Eric Murray and Sami Kehela, one of the best pairs in the world. The book tells the story of their bridge triumphs and heartbreaks, highlighted by their legendary battles against the Italians in the world championships. Named book of the year by the International Bridge Press Association.

Persistent Human Bridge Errors
By Danny Kleinman & Nick Straguzzi. A humorous look at mental errors made by bridge players, with advice from Chthonic, the bridge-playing robot.

Top picks for software:

Learn to Play Bridge I & II are two self-teaching software programs that make great stocking stuffers for anyone who wants an easy introduction to the basics. Best of all, both are totally free from ACBL. You can download them from the link above (both setup programs fit onto one CD) and give copies to everyone on your list. Print out a copies of ACBL's quick-start How to Play Bridge page to go with your gifts. 

Bridge Baron 18 is the newest update of one of the top-rated and most skilled bid-and-play software programs on the market. It features seven sophisticated levels of play, plus a deal generator, double-dummy solver, ACBL tournament deals, challenge hands, flow-chart bidding tutorials and a wide range of conventions. Winner of five World Computer Bridge Championships. Available for Windows and Mac.

Countdown to Winning Bridge is a CD-ROM based on Tim Bourke's and Marc Smith's book of the same title. This interactive program teaches the essential skills involved in counting bridge hands.

Need more ideas? You'll find lots of other books and gift suggestions on these shopping pages just for bridge players:

Karen's Bridge Library Bookstore features short reviews of recommended bridge books, along with an updated listing of the newest books and software (published in 2007). Books are grouped by skill level and can be purchased at discounted prices from Amazon.com by following the links.

The Holiday Shopping Page on the above site offers ideas and links for a wide range of bridge-themed gifts, including clothing, jewelry, bakeware and glassware, party accessories, software packages, electronic games, magazine subscriptions and other specialty gifts.

Great Bridge Links has put together a full directory of specialty products and online shopping sites for bridge players. You'll find links to unusual and hard-to-find gifts here, along with some special discounts.