Books by Paul Mendelson

How to play Texas Hold 'Em Poker for beginners, all the terms, definitions, etiquette and rules you need.

A thought-based approach to declarer play, defence and bidding judgement.

The fourth acclaimed thriller set in South Africa and featuring Coloner Vaughn De Vries.

Duplicate Pairs is the most absorbing and demanding form of Bridge: a true mental combat sport. Starting with the mechanics of the scoring system, through the key philosophies for success, to detailed tactical advice, esteemed author Paul Mendelson takes the reader through all the steps needed to improve your scores, boost your enjoyment and become a successful Duplicate Pairs player at club level and beyond.In the second part of the book, sit at Paul's shoulder and play a Duplicate Pairs tournament with him, observing the inferences taken, myriad components considered, and decisions made.Paul Mendelson is the UK's best selling Bridge author and his books are sold worldwide, having been translated into numerous languages. He writes weekly for the Financial Times and contributes to numerous magazines. He has also written books and articles on Poker and casino gaming

When the South African Police Service receive a panicked call for help from the wayward daughter of a former Apartheid-era politician, they discover only her body but, within it, a message which will take Colonel Vaughn de Vries and Don February of the Special Crimes Unit on a journey through their country - and their country's past - to decipher and resolve. As organised crime grips South Africa, new players arrive in Cape Town, determined to exploit the poor and hopeless, promising redemption. While other government agencies snap impotently at the small fish, De Vries, linked by a personal connection, resolves to follow this trail to its source and take it down from the top. As decades old webs of corruption and influence are exposed, and the boundaries of morality blur, his decisions begin to impact on his friends, colleagues and family.

Even after the release of Nelson Mandela and the promise of free elections, extremist groups terrorized South Africa, bombing churches, opening fire in bars and restaurants. Nearly twenty-five years ago, as a young Captain, Vaughn de Vries finds himself in pursuit of the suspects of a fatal bombing in his precinct, under the command of one of the most feared white police officers of the time: Major Kobus Nel. Out of radio communication and without clear evidence, the SAPS barge into a township and set off a chain of events which will resonate for a quarter of a century. In Cape Town in 2015, the heiress of an Apartheid-era industrialist is found murdered, her body posed to suggest a racial hate crime. But, as Colonel Vaughn De Vries investigates, possible motives for her death abound: a highly controversial art exhibition, her sexual preferences, her relationship - as yet unknown by the press - with the son of one of the heroes of The Struggle. And, moving South down through the country, five men are murdered, each with a connection to a point in history De Vries would sooner forget. When the link is made, De Vries must re-live the traumatic event to uncover the perpetrator. Old wounds, hidden in history, are exposed, and a mysterious killer approaches, whom no one seems able to stop.Longlisted for the 2015 Crime Writer's Association Golden Dagger (Crime Novel of the Year)Praise for Paul Mendelson:'Authoritative and unblinkered fare' Financial Times'Once more, South Africa is brought vividly to life in a fine crimer which delivers a warm change from the regular diet of Scandinavian angst' Weekend Sport 'The Serpentine Road has been my discovery of the year. Paul Mendelson has the makings of a literary superstar' Jenny Crwys Williams, Radio 702/Cape Talk 567 'In another superb slice of South African noir, Mendelson illuminates the corruption and criminality that plagues a country still haunted by apartheid. A taut thriller which evokes a unique political and geographic landscape' Cath Staincliffe 'An excellent, uncompromising crime thriller made even better by its setting ... the story is two journeys in one, and I'm glad I took both' Lee Child'A jaw-droppingly brilliant crime thriller. Imagine The Killing moved to Cape Town and into the landscape of the hot and dusty African veld' Philip Glenister'The First Rule of Survival is an incredibly atmospheric, complex and dazzling debut from a thrilling and authentic new voice in crime fiction' Brian McGilloway'An impressive debut' The Times

In bridge, there are thousands of rules, guidelines, and understandings - but which are golden?Many players enjoy their game without knowing some of the most significant underlying facts about the game, making mistakes which ruin their scores. With some gentle and entertaining reading, all players can improve their game hugely, just by knowing the Golden Rules of Bridge.From thirty years of teaching and playing, Paul Mendelson presents a book containing what he considers are the golden rules of bridge: the techniques and tips which occur most frequently and which provide the biggest edge against your opponents, and offer the biggest scoring advantages. He explains the thinking and logical reasoning behind each element - bidding, declarer play, defence - to ensure that readers remember and understand why they do what they do.These tips and techniques will transform your results and enjoyment of the game, whether you play social rubber bridge or Chicago, club teams events or duplicate pairs. If you play an Acol-based system or any of the many natural bidding systems available, knowing the Golden Rules will improve your score and frustrate your opponents, leaving you in the best spots and them with the tough decisions.

Seven years ago in Cape Town three young white South African schoolboys were abducted in broad daylight on three consecutive days. They were never heard of again.Now, a new case for the unpredictable Colonel Vaughn de Vries casts a light on the original enquiry; for him, a personal failure which has haunted him for those seven years and has cost him his marriage and peace of mind.A former British government agent, friend to De Vries, provides intelligence on this new case, but is any of it admissible? Struggling in a mire of departmental and racial rivalry, De Vries seeks the whole truth and unravels a complex history of abuse, deception and murder. Challenging friends, colleagues and enemies, De Vries comes to realise he doesn't know who is which.Set against the background of Cape Town and the endless, rolling South African veld, this chilling thriller reveals layer after layer of abuse - physical, political and psychological.Shortlisted for the Crime Writer's Association Gold Dagger 2014 (Crime Novel of the Year)Praise for Paul Mendelson:'An excellent, uncompromising crime thriller made even better by its setting ... the story is two journeys in one, and I'm glad I took both' Lee Child'A jaw-droppingly brilliant crime thriller. Imagine The Killing moved to Cape Town and into the landscape of the hot and dusty African veld' Philip Glenister'The First Rule of Survival is an incredibly atmospheric, complex and dazzling debut from a thrilling and authentic new voice in crime fiction' Brian McGilloway'An impressive debut' The Times

This is a book for the three million 'social' bridge players (in the UK alone) who know the rules and can play a reasonable hand, but want to refine their skills and improve their understanding of the game. The 121 bridge tips range from simple to more advanced and all offer solid advice on how best to deal with a variety of situations. Tips are clearly explained and are followed by an example hand and a reader's test. There is no simpler way to improve your bridge.

Learn how to play bridge with this simple step-by-step guide.While good bridge classes are, of course, of great value, this book is itself the complete tutorial. It will help you to learn properly without other help and give you a solid foundation on which to start playing this absorbing game.Work at your own paceUnderstand the key basic principlesLearn about the Acol system of biddingDiscover how to play a hand, both as declarer and in defence

A brand new edition of this bestselling complete reference guide to playing bridge successfully.

Most people playing online poker think they are winning players when they're actually losing month after month. But, if you have basic knowledge of the game and follow Paul Mendelson's techniques, you can ensure that you win regularly and consistently.Find out how to:Select the best poker sites for your standard.Analyse your opponents and their games.Adapt your game to combat the styles of play you meet.Counter the costly dangers of 'tilt' and temperament.Manage your bankroll and build it into serious money.Play to benefit from being alert while others - in another time zone - are exhausted.Make the right decisions - and avoid costly mistakes.Read your opponents correctly - and keep them guessing about you!

Comprehensive, up-to-date, and easy to follow, The Mammoth Book of Poker enables even those new to the game to begin and win at home, in casinos, in tournaments and online. Written by leading card games author Paul Mendelson, and packed with top tips, this invaluable new guide helps you understand your chances, appreciate the percentages, and master the odds that your hand improves.All aspects of poker are covered, including:Online pokerTexas Hold 'Em, Omaha, Seven-Card Stud, Hi/Lo Split and all other variantsNo-Limit/LimitKiller online playCasino playAdvanced strategies Tournament play and listingsWith over 500 pages, The Mammoth Book of Poker gives all you need to know to get started and win from the outset.

Whether you are a masterpoint hunter at congresses or an afternoon rubber bridge player, Paul Mendelson's entertaining, thoroughly accessible and incisive text guides you, sharpens your zest and wills you to win.