July 2008 - 16

WHAT'S NEW * WHAT'S COMING * WHAT'S HOT
The Lone Wolff

By Bobby Wolff
$24.95
Softcover
287 pages
Rating: A++
Reviewed by Tim Bourke

Page turner
I read The Lone Wolff by Bobby
Wolff in one sitting. While some
may feel this says something about
me, I believe it says a great deal about the page-turning
quality of this book, self-described as the "Autobiography
of a Bridge Maverick."
The author is one of the great figures in our game. He
is one of the great bridge players of all time, winning 11
world titles and nearly three times that number of North
American championships, a record that any player would
be delighted to have. Also, he is a syndicated columnist
of more than 25 years, as well as author or co-author of
several books.
There is more: He served on the ACBL Board of
Directors from 1981 to 1992 and with the World Bridge
Federation from 1988 to 1994, including a term as president of each organization.
Strangely, the playing triumphs are barely mentioned.
The two major events in his bridge life before he and
Bob Hamman formed their 26-year-long partnership are
covered well, namely his life in bridge before the formation of the Dallas Aces and the performances of that team.
Wolff notes that the Aces were officially finished as a
team in 1972, although other teams he played on did so
under the Aces banner until 1983.
There is also Wolff 's version of the end of his partnership with Hamman, but his well-played or well-bid deals
are just not there.
There is some mention of his personal life outside of
bridge. He concedes that he was too young for his first
marriage, to Betsey. Then there is a beautiful, poignant
tribute to his second wife, Debby, who died of lung cancer
in 1994. That part of the book will bring tears to the eyes
of all but the flint hearted. And finally, there is the joy that
his third wife, Judy Kay-Wolff, has brought to his later
life.
So what is the majority of the book about? It is largely
concerned with his roles in the administration and the
betterment of the ethics of our game. So the few deals in
the book either have a humorous air or have to do with
scandals and appeals. The latter reflects Wolff 's lifelong
campaign to make the game as honest as possible without
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having to play political games. These efforts often exacted
a personal cost.
This is mostly a tough-minded book. There will be
many ruffled feathers as a result of its publication, particularly from those who disagree with Wolff 's interpretation
of events. To me, neither of these outcomes matter, for we
as outsiders will be enthralled by the book, largely an insider, pull-no-punches account of life at the top in bridge
by someone who genuinely has the good of our game in
his heart.
The book has faults, including a non-linear narrative,
but it is still a book not to be missed by anyone who loves
a good yarn.
Published by Master Point Press, Toronto ON, www.
masterpointpress.com. Also available from bridge supply
houses.

BIDittle

Bridge board game
$19.99
Rating: A
Reviewed by Tim Bourke

Bridge to
bridge?
BIDittle is a game aimed squarely at teaching young
children the basics of a bidding and trick-taking game.
The game uses a deck with only 32 cards - 7s through
the aces. The auction consists in bidding to make between
three and eight tricks. It uses one of the basic ideas of
mini-bridge, where the initial bid is based on high-card
points. The way the bidding proceeds is novel, too, for
each player is given colored pyramids, and they are placed
on a central board in a place that records the tricks bid
for by the player who owns that color. Other innovations
include a double always for penalty and first playing without a dummy, later with one.
The publishers say the game was originally designed
to give young people something to do besides play video
games and watch TV.
It's difficult to judge whether this might make our great
game easier for young children to understand. It has the
advantage that most of the time the dealer can bid for at
least a three-trick contract, so the involvement rate should
be high. Consequently, it's worth a look if you want to
try and teach your children or grandchildren something
about trick-taking games while introducing some of the
concepts of contract bridge.
The boxed set includes a tri-fold game board, two decks
Bridge Bulletin

http://www.masterpointpress.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of July 2008