Product Description

Note: If you would like a BRAND NEW CUSTOM AUTOGRAPHED copy, see the author's listing under "used and new" copies of the book.

Having received unsurpassed acclaim among the Spading community since its publication, the first edition of How NOT to Lose at Spades was the highest rated Spades book and a bestseller here at Amazon.

This edition is even better, with expanded coverage of key topics, and lots of new material.

Written by one of the most highly regarded Spades players on the Internet, How NOT to Lose at Spades identifies 80 common mistakes that players make which cause them to lose games that they could have won. Through the use of over 100 bidding and playing examples, the author shows readers how to avoid these mistakes, and in a very structured approach teaches readers how to think and play like a winning Spades player.

The majority of readers see an immediate improvement in their game, and many readers order additional books for their regular playing partner(s) or friends.

"How NOT to" is highly unique compared to other books on card theory. It is written in a simple and fun style, with the emphasis on humor and enjoyment of the game, rather than on complex diagrams, statistical theory, and technicalese.

Through this unique approach, the author teaches readers how to "think" when they play, as much as how to play, and it is this approach which is the key behind the book's popularity and success, and which has generated a loyalty among its readers which is rare indeed.

Once you have read the book, you will probably think of the game very differently than you ever have before, and you just may wind up being rewarded in Spades.

Readers have achieved the following results using the teachings in the book: ZSTOC (Zone TOC): WIN, ATLANTA, 2001 LIVE TOURNEY: WIN, LAS VEGAS, 2001 LIVE TOURNEY "Main Event Cash Prize": WIN, ZONE CLUB CHALLENGE: 2ND and 3RD out of 114 teams, ZONE CLUB HONORS: (11 game tourney among the Zone's very best) WIN and 3RD Place, Igames TOC: WIN, ZONE CLUB CHALLENGE: WIN and 2ND Place out of 125 teams, 2003 ZONE Sweethearts Tournament: WIN and $1,000 Cash Prize!

Do you know... the single most important consideration when playing Spades? the biggest mistake made in Spades? Hamlet's secret to successful bidding? the most powerful convention in the game of Spades? the 2 biggest mistakes players make bidding Nil? how to bid an Autowin? how to make a Faux Throw when playing a Nil hand? the Rule Of Four? how to bid the Prevent Defense? how to use the Potato Chip Attack? how to insure your pard's Nil with the Dormy Dare? when to go Undercover In A Miniskirt? when to use the Cover Charge, and when More is Less?

If you don't want to lose at Spades, you need to know the answers to these questions, as well as how to use the other 100-plus strategy and execution approaches described in this 220-page book.

Special note: The book is 8.5 by 11 inch format, with 14 point normal font.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #666107 in Books
• Published on: 2003-09
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 220 pages

Review
"JohnGalt has hit a home run with his new book. You must read this book to be an allstar player." -- Joe Andrews' Spades Column of the Month. MSN Zone, July 2001

"Strichman is a great teacher of the logic needed to improve one's game.....best published coverage on endgame bidding scenarios." -- Dan Hoffenberg, former highest rated Spades player among the over 100,000 players at the MSN Zone gamsite, Spades instructor and accomplished Pro player.

After reading HOW NOT TO LOSE AT SPADES, I reached NUMBER 1 on the ratings list! -- Mitch Adams, former highest rated Spades player among the over 100,000 players at The MSN Zone gamesite.

Because of JohnGalt's book, HOW NOT TO LOSE AT SPADES, I won the first live Spades tournament I ever attended! -- Donna Lloyd, Winner of the Atlanta, 2001 live Spades tournament.

I had no idea how to play winning Spades until I learned the risk/reward playing system in JohnGalt's book. -- Sheryl Brewer, winner of over 100 Spades tournaments.

I never thought I would win a tournament as big as ZSTOC, but your book made it happen! -- Jacqulyn Peterson, Winner of ZSTOC (the Zone Tournament of Champions).

It has worked wonders for myself and partners in the Zone. My bedside table would be bare without it. -- Mary Short, Winner of ZSTOC (the Zone Tournament of Champions).

It is everything I had hoped for....this book is really going to help me against the good players. -- Tom Miller, once beat Bobby Fisher in a chess game.

Winning live tournaments can be achieved using the techniques that JohnGalt describes in his book... READ IT!! -- Swannneee, Winner of the Main Event, Las Vegas live Spades tournament, October, 2001.

You've done a fantastic job...it is easy to understand whether you are a veteran Spades Player or a newbie. -- Tiger_Tale, Cofounder and Leader of The Tigers Spades Club, the largest Spades club at the Zone with over 800 members.

From the Publisher
Not only did I write How NOT to Lose at Spades, but I am the publisher as well. I wouldn't want you to have the false impression that Karosa Publishing is some large publishing house. It is a business that I started solely for the production and distribution of the book.

Although the book is self-published, it is a quality product. Not only is it produced in large format, it is printed on heavier than normal paper. I wanted to be sure that readers could write in and highlight in the book without damaging it, and that it would stand up to heavy use. Producing a book this way isn't inexpensive... it costs more to produce, store, and ship a book that weighs one and a half pounds. I didn't produce the book the way that I thought it would make the most money, I produced it the way that I thought it would make the most book.

This 2nd edition could easily demand a substantially higher price than sold for here at Amazon, but I wanted to keep the book as affordable as possible.

The book was professionally edited by an individual who is a professor of English, as well as the President/Editor at Brandylane Publishing in Richmond, Virginia.

I would be happy to do my best to answer any questions that you might have if you email me using the link under my "used and new" listing in The Marketplace.

From the Author
I wrote this book in order to share what I have learned about how to win at Spades with those players who want to be the very best players that they can be.

Even though I guarantee that you have never seen another instructional book with the type of format and fun approach that I have used to help in the teaching process, this is a serious book. It is designed to help you think about Spades in a way that is probably very different from the way that you think about and approach the game now.

This book is not a one night read. It is the culmination of 5 years of working and reworking material, and I expect that it will take you a period of time to absorb all that is in the book and learn to put it to use to your best advantage. That being said, you (and your opponents) should notice an improvement in your game by the time that you have gotten to page 50.

I play Spades for fun. I wrote this book to try to leave the game a little bit better than how I found it, and to help as many people as I can have the most fun possible that they can playing this game that I love. I consider selling books to be an absolute privilege, and try to treat every reader as if he or she is the last one that I will ever have.

Considering the number of hours that you probably spend playing Spades, your investment in How NOT to Lose at Spades should be returned many times over. I sincerely believe that this book will help you play better Spades for the rest of your life

Good luck, and Happy Spading!

Customer Reviews

A Spade Players Bible!!!
I have always played card games such as, hearts, spades, rook, pitch, rummy and so forth. I considered myself a very experienced player. However, until I read "How Not To Lose At Spades" I truly didn't know as much as I thought! This book gave me the insight to look ahead at the entire game, not just that hand. I also learned that "bidding my hand" wasn't necessarily the best option... and I was truly losing more spades games than I should have been losing. I have learned so much from this book, I keep rereading it and I learn more every time. This is truly my "Bible" to spades. JohnGalt Strichman's time and efforts are shown throughout the writings as it is written in terms that are easily understood and also keeps you wanting more and more information. My daughter who is ten years old enjoys this book because it has humor along with a lesson. Thanks Galt for your wonderful expertise! If you are considering buying this book, it will definately be one that will not collect dust!

Best book on card playing I have ever read
Strichman's book on Spades is the best book on any card game that I have ever read. As a long time spades and bridge player, I certainly have read many books on playing cards - this is the best.

The writing is straight forward and crystal clear. In every instance, you understand the situation, the problem, the right line of attack, how to recognize it, and most importantly, why the stated approach is right.

The book is loaded with examples that help make each important point in the book. These really help to clarify and drive home each lesson.

The breadth covered is great. Just about every kind of situation is covered and these are logically grouped for easy understanding and reference.

Besides the excellent and easy to understand insites, the book is also humerous. This makes it really fun to read while you are learning enough to put you at the top end of any set of competitors you might face.

Buying this book is a "no brainer".

A Must Have for ALL Spades Players!!
I thought I played a pretty good game of spades... and did pretty well at the game... then I got this book and WOW... What a difference it made in my wins and losses!!!

It makes you look at the game in a whole new manner and everyone has noticed my game improve... they all say... What would of made you bid nil with that hand? I smile and say... its all thanks to JohnGalt Strichman.

I was truly surprised at the ease of reading and examples of different situations and what to bid and why. The author did a wonderful job in explaining the game in terms anyone can understand... even "newbies" to the game. However for this book to help those of us who already "thought" we knew the game... well what can I say... I learned "HOW NOT TO LOSE AT SPADES"

I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in losing less and winning more :)