Bridge: 25 Steps to learning 2/1

Two over one is a variation of Standard American bidding played by a fairly large segment of the serious bridge community. The primary advantage of the system, as described in this book and others is in the advantage it provides in reaching games and slams that might often be passed out below game, particularly games in major suits.Unlike some other books on 2/1, Thurston's book describes a complete bidding system built around the game forcing 2/1 bid and its necessary companion the Forcing 1NT. He begins the book with two brief chapters that outline his approach to point count and opening bids before launching into the basics of 2/1 over a major suit opener in Chapter 3. It's not a substitute for a complete treatment on Standard Armerican, but it provides a good foundation for understanding his approach to 2/1 that contributes to a more complete system. In Chapter 4, he digresses somewhat from the 2/1 system to provide some alternative responses that can be used in conjunction with his 2/1 to describe hands in which the responder has four card support for an opening major, to include Jacoby 2NT, splinter bids, and Bergen Raises. The bids in this chapter require a rather thorough partnership agreement if employed, but are not essential if one wants to take a more casual approach to 2/1.Like most advocates of 2/1, Thurston tends to minimize the downside of the system, which is the forcing nature of both the 2/1 response and the 1NT forcing requirement on combined hands where passing out at a lower level would be a better contract. Unlike some experts, Thurston does not waffle by allowing for a semi-forcing version of either, although he does recognize that those approaches exist. On the contrary, Thurston provides examples where partnerships end up in more favorable contracts than they might by exercising the right to pass a 1NT response with a minimum balanced hand as recommended by some experts.This book is part of the 25 Steps series of bridge books, which require 25 chapters whether the topic calls for that or not, so part of this book is only peripherally related to the 2/1 system with topics such as Drury and RKCB covered in the last section of the book. It's useful for those who are looking for a more complete bidding system, but those who are only interested in 2/1 can skip some of those chapters. Another "trick" he uses to create more chapters is by dealing with responses to opening bids in a minor suit in a different section from opening bids in a major. Since one of the goals of Thurston's system is to identify a major suit fit, this treatment has some advantages in making a clear distinction between 2/1 as it applies to a minor suit opening, particularly the dropping of the 1NT force.One feature that potential adopters of the system will appreciate is the handy summaries that Thurston provides as memory aids throughout the book, including a page that provides a complete list of responses to a major suit opening using his system. Thurston includes enough quizzes and examples for thorough undeerstanding, but doesn't overwhelm you with practice deals.I would highly recommend this book for those who are looking for a complete bidding system with a regular partner, whether you choose to adopt everything Thurston recommends or not. At least he offers a relatively complete augmentation ot Standard American for consideration.

This book is not just the 'nuts and bolts' like others in the series. It's much too chatty with unnecessary asides and because there's not enough material to fill 25 chapters, all kinds of general information is included which makes the book much longer than it needs to be. Very disappointed after really loving others in the series.

If you buy only one book on the subject, this is it. Needless to say 2/1 Game Force is based upon Standard American, and as such requires at least an intermediate level of proficiency on the part of the player. 2/1 is not for bridge beginners. One must have considerable experience before moving up to this bidding system. It is open to discussion if 2/1 is a must to get better at bridge. However, if you do adopt this or even wish to learn to defend against it, this is the book for you. It is clear, concise, to the point. It in fact starts with the basics that even someone wanting to use only Standard American can benefit from.The chapters are laid out in precise fashion, each one devoted to the subject; ending in a quiz; which alone is worth the cost of the book. In this respect, you can never go wrong with virtually any bridge book published by Master Point Press. It keeps everything simple, and does not clutter it with advanced conventions and bidding; for which there are hundreds of other books available. For most people starting out with 2/1, this is it. The book is simplistic by design, as all great books for beginners of any subject should be. The blurb on the back is dead on - you will begin playing 2/1 within a week.On the somewhat negative side: Bergen raises could have been left out since they are a bit more advanced concept, and are not totally essential at least for the beginners. For further advancement, you will need more advanced books, but for now this should do.

Very comprehensive book.

This book continues in the excellent tradition of the "25 xxxs" by striking the right level in teaching effectively without overburdening the subject with detail. I've bought and read thru all three Max Hardy books but just didn't want to uproot my hard earned bridge knowledge to essentially start over. Thurston's book showed me that the Two Over One system is not that much different from what I've spent the last two years learning. It's not much different than learning several new conventions at the same time. My teacher swears by the precision of the Two Over One system. I'm not far enough along to testify to that but it was clear during the learning that many of the thorny problems I've encountered are much better handled with 2ov1 . Of course, there are those in-between hands that require the experience and judgement that I can only hope to achieve some day but there are far fewer of them. Yes, the inclusion of some conventions does seem like a gimmick to flesh out to the number 25 but they are useful conventions that were not included in the Seagram & Smith book, "25 Conventions You Should Learn". And yes, the quizzes are excellent and really help in the learning process. All in all, this book is certainly worth the money and time if your partnership is considering moving to Two Over One.

Easy to follow and understand tips useful a good basis for learning 2 over1 system

This is a standard and important text for those wishing to learn 2/1 bridge conventions. Very commendable.

I have most of the books in this series over the years, So, as someone coming new to the concept of 2/1, I was confident it would be a great teaching tool. The book will be off the shelf, ready to refer to, for some time yet. An excellent resource.

Good and clear in depth teaching of two over one

It is very informative.