Charles Goren explains basic bridge with clarity like no other. An added bonus is Charley has a sense of humor so you get an occasional smile along with your lessons.

Your first lesson in bridge is "Don't run until you can walk!" How many people have you heard say something like, "maybe I don't know much about bidding, but give me a good hand, and I can play against anybody!" Don't you believe it! Submarine squeezes, dummy reversals, double throw in end plays are very exciting stuff, but 1) they don't come up all that often and 2) you have to visualize all four hands before they work.

Goren starts you out on Chapter I with "The Bidding" just like you would at the table. Each chapter ends with a quiz. Take them and then go back and reread the areas you missed. Until you feel very comfortable with all aspects of bidding, don't go any further. You will never get to play that brilliant hand if you land in the wrong spot. That's what bidding is all about, to get you to that perfect spot where you get a chance to shine and slay your opponents.

When I learned to play bridge as a teenager, Goren's Bridge Complete was my Bible. It has gone through many revisions since, but looking over the latest, I see it still retains all its virtues. I'm not denying this book will take a lot of time, and everything must be read more than once best with a paper and pencil close by, but you will be rewarded. The pleasure you will get from deftly executed bidding and play is ample compensation for the time you have spent. Read and enjoy. I'll see you at the bridge table!
-sweetmolly-Amazon Reviewer

When first learning bridge almost a decade ago, I had Sheinwold's classic book (Five Weeks to Winning Bridge) and this one. This book was by and far the better; furthermore, it has remained a book that is constantly re-readable. Each time through I pick up another fascet of the game from Goren and his editors (since he died).

The bidding system used is what is commonly known as a "two over one game force" which, in my opinion, is a very powerful system. It does take a little bit more study than a purely natural system, but not much.

Although I well recommend this book for any serious beginner, even a complete beginner, my wife found the "Bridge for Dummies" (Eddie Kantar) book more accessible. Of course, she was only learning Bridge because I asked her to play with me... After all, what good is a wife if not a permanent Bridge partner? In any event, I highly recommend the Kantar work as well.

A final word: despite the book's age, it is not at all dated.

I bought this book after I got Contract Bridge for Beginners... This book should be on the shelf of any bridge player! It's not the best book for beginners, but it could be used by a beginner as well as an advanced player. If you are a beginner, you should buy Goren's Contract Bridge for Beginners. It's short and to the point. Bridge Complete expands on many of the items in the beginner's book and offers many new items.

A classic requirement for every complete bridge library.

I have been using this system of bidding for ten years. I have played with a foursome using this system for these ten years. We have entered some local duplicate tournements and have never finished worse than second. The local directors do not like us to use Precision bidding and have tried to outlaw it or prevent us from playing.