FROM THE PUBLISHER

The first edition of How NOT to Lose at Spades received unsurpassed acclaim among the Spading community, and quickly became known as the "bible of Spades."

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.

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!

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

Tom Miller

It is everything I had hoped for....this book is really going to help me against the good players.--This text refers to the Paperback edition. — once beat Bobby Fisher in a chess game

Mary Short

It has worked wonders for myself and partners in the Zone. My bedside table would be bare without it.--This text refers to the Paperback edition. — Winner of ZSTOC (the Zone Tournament of Champions)

Joe Andrews Spades Column of the Month

"JohnGalt has hit a home run with his new book. You must read this book to be an all-star player."--This text refers to the Paperback edition. — MSN Zone, July 2001

Mitch Adams

After reading HOW NOT TO LOSE AT SPADES, I reached NUMBER 1 on the ratings list!--This text refers to the Paperback edition. — former highest rated Spades player among the over 100,000 players at The MSN Zone gamesite

Dan Hoffenberg

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

Donna Lloyd

Because of JohnGalt's book, HOW NOT TO LOSE AT SPADES, I won the first live Spades tournament I ever attended!--This text refers to the Paperback edition. — Winner of the Atlanta, 2001 live Spades tournament

Jacqulyn Peterson

I never thought I would win a tournament as big as ZSTOC, but your book made it happen!--This text refers to the Paperback edition. — Winner of ZSTOC (the Zone Tournament of Champions)

Sheryl Brewer

I had no idea how to play winning Spades until I learned the risk/reward playing system in JohnGalt's book.--This text refers to the Paperback edition. — winner of over 150 Spades tournaments

Swannneee

Winning live tournaments can be achieved using the techniques that JohnGalt describes in his book... READ IT!!--This text refers to the Paperback edition. — Winner of the Main Event, Las Vegas live Spades tournament, October, 2001

Tiger_Tale