1 MAY 1909, Page 23

Auction Bridge. By Captain Browning. (G. Routledgo and Sous. ls.)—We

do not think that auction bridge is an improve- ment on the ordinary game. It may be assumed that the excellence of a game lies in the blond of chance and skill. Chess is all skill, and the only thing to be said against it is that it is, at least to some persons, fatiguing. " Blind hookey " is all chance; no one could find any pleasure in it oxcopt from the gambling point of view. Bridge has some advantages over whist ; there is a more equal distribution of chances, for one thing, and the periodical rest of the dummy is agreeable. Still, on the whole, chance counts for more in it than in whist ; and in auction bridge this preponderance is increased ; it diminishes the equal distribution mentioned above. But if any one wishes to see the principles and methods of the game expounded by an expert, here is a little book which will suit him.