Correct contract bridge / by E.V. Shepard ; including the official Laws of contract bridge adopted by the Whist Club, New York, and by all the leading clubs in America.

THE INTERLUDE

For the benefit of those who want reasons for
procedure and proofs of statements made, several
chapters on special topics are presented as an "interlude" between the subjects of Goulashes and Slam
Bidding. These technical chapters need not be
studied by readers desiring only rules of proper
procedure.
Up to date I have both studied and taught eight
systems of contracting, differing from others in certain vital features, abandoning one as soon as another better system was discovered. I have neither
prejudice nor preference until scientific analyses and
practical results unite in obliging me to choose between alternatives.
Not infrequently, widely advertised suggestions
and procedure especially favored by famous players
who have become accustomed to their favorites'
limitations, are really inferior to newer or less well
known methods. As remarked before, highly
trained players instinctively rectify the failings of
poor methods of procedure, sometimes to a point
that the players are unconscious of those weaknesses,
but less well drilled players cannot afford to accept
anything except the best methods.

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