It has since been regarded as the game's principal journal, publicizing technical advances in bidding and the play of the cards, discussions of ethical issues, bridge politics and leading personalities, and reports of major tournaments.
Largely because of its emphasis on IMP and matchpoint play, TBW is of interest primarily to tournament players.
Under the Kaplan/Rubens editorship, the Editorial became a monthly feature, and occupies a privileged position, appearing directly after the table of contents.
A non-random sample of the topics that have appeared in the Editorial over the past 40 years: The MSC is a combination of quiz and commentary.
This arrangement provides a means for the reader to improve his bidding skills, and to get a glimpse of the thought processes of the experts.
An annual competition is held for the highest 12-month total; the winner is invited to participate on the expert panel for a year.
In January 1967, when Kaplan and Rubens took over TBW's editorship, a rotating group of directors was established: Moyse, Alfred Sheinwold, Howard Schenken, and Alan Truscott each directed the Club once every four months.
Retirements, editorial disagreements, and health problems led to changes in the Club's directorship, and well known players such as Bobby Wolff, Jeff Rubens, Eric Kokish, Kit Woolsey, David Berkowitz, Larry Cohen, Bart Bramley, Danny Kleinman, Steve Landen, Karen McCallum, and Barry Rigal have all served as directors.
Therefore, in 1967 Kaplan and Rubens instituted a poll of experts to determine their bidding preferences (e.g., four-card or five-card majors, strong or weak two-bids, doubles of overcalls negative or for penalty, limit or forcing jump raises, etc.).
Another use for BWS, perhaps intended in 1967 but never touted as a rationale, is to provide a means of tracking how expert preferences have changed over the years.
Each month, two leading pairs compete, bidding deals from actual play (taken from old tournament reports or submitted by readers)."
The very first letter printed in the column asked the correct play in a contract of 4♥, and the answer was to take an Ann Gallagher finesse.
The letters tend not to concern questions of bidding or play – these are dealt with in other features such as Pro et Contra (discontinued after Oswald Jacoby's death in 1984).
The column also contains corrections and amplifications, book and product reviews, and occasional solicitations of readers' opinions.