Teach Yourself Card Games for Four

Published in 1978 by the David McKay Company, Teach Yourself Card Games for Four is a foundational text in the long-running Teach Yourself series. It was authored by David Parlett, an eminent British game designer and authority on the history of card games, who sought to formalize the rules for popular social games played by groups of four, such as Bridge, Whist, and various partnership games. At the time, Parlett was establishing his reputation as a definitive expert in the field, aiming to provide clear, accessible instructional material for home players during a period when parlor card games remained a primary form of household entertainment.

The book’s design reflects the utilitarian and pedagogical standards of the era’s instructional publishing. Parlett’s approach prioritized clarity and logical structure, stripping away ambiguity to ensure that players of varying skill levels could easily navigate complex scoring systems and tactical nuances. It was well-received by hobbyists and casual players alike, earning recognition for its precise distillation of traditional rulesets into a cohesive, readable format that has remained a standard reference for card game enthusiasts.