Bid Better, Much Better after Opening 1 No-Trump: Bidding to Win at Bridge: A New Approach (Master Bridge) Paperback – 14 Jun 2001

This book presents much more than highly effective methods for constructive bidding after your side begins with a natural 1NT. Equally importantly, it exposes the weaknesses in modern expert standard methods in vogue today. It explains what is wrong with Stayman inquiries. It explains what is wrong with Jacoby transfer bids and their standard continuations. It offers guidelines for choosing to play in 3NT when an 8 card major suit is known (or suspected) to exist. It provides methods for avoiding doomed 3NT contracts that almost everyone in the field will bid. It discusses the question of whether one should allow 1NT openings to include balanced hands with five cards in a major suit.

The only problem with the book is its disjointed presentation. Klinger tries to divide the book up into three sections so that players can adopt all or some of his methods depending on their level of expertise or experience. This strategy, while well-intentioned, fails in that the presentation is so disjointed that important details are easily missed and it is challenging for the most advanced players to put the pieces together into a coherently unified whole.

One thing that Klinger fails to note explicitly is that his methods often lead to anti-field part score contracts. Partnerships using these methods will often play safe and potentially high scoring 4-3 major suit part score contracts when the field is in shaky or hopeless No Trump contracts. This is not much of a deterrent, however, if you have a liking for reaching superior contracts for both matchpoint and IMP scoring. It is a reason to hone your declarer play skills pertaining to 4-3 fits, however.

While Klinger's recommended methods will work for all ranges of 1NT opening, it seems to me that his methods are most effective for and best leveraged by 1NT openings in the 12 to 14 high card point honor strength range. Still, regardless of what NT range one might prefer, no serious bridge player should fail to read this book and consider the value of adopting some or all of Klinger's recommended approach.

As a bidding theory enthusiast, I have read this book several times (it takes awhile to grasp some of the concepts well) and found it useful as well as insightful on handling the 1NT opening with exciting follow-up sequences. Having played bridge for 35 years, I have reviewed many bidding systems (Precision, Acol, Romex, 2 Over 1 and others) and found this specific portion (1NT opening) to be quite useful and manageable at the bridge table.

The opening 1NT range, chosen by Ron Klinger (weak; 12-14) is popular in Australia, England and other European countries as well. Weak Notrump openings have had a mild popularity in the USA amongst stronger players. The NT range (weak or strong) which partnerships utilize is simply a matter of personal preferences. If players or partnerships use the strong range (15-15 or 16-18), they can still utilize Klinger's 1NT methods from this excellent book by adding an Ace or King in the given diagrams.

My one complaint of this book is that some of the sequences are not well organized in giving the reader a clearer understanding as to which bidding sequences should follow each other in a more logical manner. There are Stayman, Transfers (both minor and major suits) that are not in the correct order for their complete explanation. You have to search out follow-up sequences in later chapters and then go back to the initial chapter where the sequence started.

On a more positive note, the minor suit fits (4-4 or longer) are treated very well; although it may take time to learn the sequences carefully. In most standard bidding systems (American), it is very difficult to find 4-4 fits in the minors to arrive to good minor suit slams. This book does a much better job in handling difficult bidding sequences when both hands are somewhat balanced, yet, have the opportunity at arriving better minor suit games and slams.

No bidding system will solve all of your bidding problems, including 1NT opening and 2NT openings. However, I feel this book does a really good job in presenting a better treatment to the 1NT opening and subsequent sequences for both opener and responder. Readers, players, and partnerships must always remember that when you gain on the one hand, you may lose some better NT sequences using Ron Klinger's version. Partnerships wishing to implement this "new" 1NT version must be willing to spend time studying, practicing and discussing, at length the materials in this book. However, I think both partners will be rewarded at the bridge table for the hard work and patience with better results.

Bridge players looking for something new and interesting should give strong consideration reading this book, even if the methods are not used at the bridge table. It's always interesting to hear and read new ideas which may be fun and a nice change of pace. Good luck to those who take the leap of faith in reading this fine book.

Strong NT or weak NT this approach is excellent with many examples. Klinger is an excellent writer and analyst.

If I hadn't known I already liked this item, I wouldn't have ordered it. I had a borrowed copy previously; it is very hard to find. Probably out of print. Price was a little high, others had priced it outrageously.