More Hocus-Pocus: Intriguing Bridge and Logic Puzzles
by Erwin Brecher and Julian Pottage

Panacea Press, £10.50 (inc. p&p in the UK),
ISBN No. 0-9539955-2-6, from bookshops and Panacea Press Ltd 020 7722 8464

This book is the follow-up to Erwin Brecher’s well-received first offering, Hocus-Pocus, which uniquely blended together bridge problems and brainteasers. The mixture is much the same the second time around except that the bridge problems are now in the capable hands of Julian Pottage.

The ninety-six bridge hands encompass single- dummy, double-dummy and defensive problems. In other words, there is something for everyone. The same can be said for the brainteasers as logic, mathematical and scientific puzzles all get an airing and there is an IQ test in the final chapter. As a bonus, light relief is provided by way of numerous amusing anecdotes that are liberally sprinkled throughout the book.

Here is a sample brainteaser to whet your appetite (answer at the end of the review):

Aman who lived alone in an isolated part of the country was finally driven insane by his seclusion. One night, during a storm, he switched off the lights, doused the fire, shut all his windows, bolted his front door and set off, never to be seen or heard of again. However, by morning he had been responsible for the death of 160 people. How?

The bridge problems cover a wide range of techniques, but it is not always easy to spot the relevant theme. Try this one for size (diagram below):

As with all the bridge problems, there is no bidding. You are told that you are South and West leads out three top clubs against your 4 contract. East discards a diamond and a spade and you ruff the third round. When you cash dummy’s A-J, East discards another diamond. What now?

	A K Q A J 3 A 10 7 6 5 3 2
5   10 8 7 6   J 8 5   A K Q 10 9		10 8 7 4 2 2 K 9 7 6 4 2 8
	J 9 6 3 K Q 9 5 4 Q 3 J 4

You potentially have ten tricks by way of five hearts, four spades and dA, but the blocked spade suit is a problem. As West has shown up with nine cards in clubs and hearts, you can’t expect him to follow to three rounds of spades. By the same token, East is more likely to hold K, and if this is the case there is a neat solution. You draw West’s remaining trumps and discard dummy’s A on the fourth round. Now you cash the three top spades and lead a diamond towards your queen.

The twin format was like a breath of fresh air when it first appeared in Hocus-Pocus, and this book is as absorbing and challenging as its predecessor, and is highly recommended.

Tony Gordon

Brainteaser answer

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