"The Bridge Technique Series: Planning the Play in Notrump" by David Bird, Marc Smith

This book covers declarer's fundamental strategies in notrump contracts and the tactics available for developing extra tricks, lopics covered include hold-up plays, deciding which suit to attack, reading the opening lead, keeping the danger hand off play, combining your chances and exerting pressure on your opponents.

Short and full of practical examples, each book takes the reader through the most important aspects of card-play technique at bridge. Where appropriate, play is examined from the point of view both of declarer and defenders. Full of quizzes and chapter reviews, these award-winning books will also reinforce the bridge concepts you learn. At this price, what bridge player could stand not to have all twelve?

Intended for intermediate players, these books will eventually form a twelve-book series that takes the reader through the most important aspects of card-play technique at bridge. Each book is short and full of practical examples, and end-of-chapter quizzes reinforce the concepts. The series will appeal to beginners who are anxious to improve in stages, and to more experienced players who want to improve their knowledge of a specific aspect of card play.

CONTENTS
Chapter 1 How to Plan a Notrump Contract
Quiz
Chapter 2 The Hold-up and Subsequent Play
The hold-up with one stopper
The hold-up with one and half stoppers
The hold-up with two stoppers
Key points
Quiz
Chapter 3 Which Suit Should I Attack?
Knocking out the entry to the danger hand
Reading the opening lead
Which is the better chance?
Leading through a defender’s honor
Key points
Quiz
Chapter 4 Combining Chances
Combining two finesses
Avoiding a premature guess
Key points
Quiz
Chapter 5 Communications Play
Scoring all your winners
Winning with a higher card than is necessary
Winning the opening lead in the right hand
Key points
Quiz
Chapter 6 Running the Long Suit
Exerting genuine pressure
Key points
Quiz