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Opening Balanced Hands


Note that the table below defines the basic approach.


As you progress you will probably agree to refine it in detail, as indicated and linked lower down the page.


Shape


You will recall that my first requirement when considering what to bid was that you should first assess the shape of the hand as defined by the lengths of the suits.


4-3-3-3, 4-4-3-2, and 5-3-3-2 hands are balanced.


Strength


Having ascertained that the hand is balanced you should then evaluate the strength of the hand as measured in High Card Points (HCP - 4 for an Ace, 3 for a King, 2 for a Queen and 1 for a Jack).

If the points add up to twelve or more you will open the bidding according to this table:-


Beginner and above

less than 12 points

Pass       

12 to 14 points

Open 1NT

15 to 19 points

Open one of a suit, and rebid in no trumps

20 to 22 points

Open 2NT

23 or more points

Open with a strong artificial bid such as 2 and rebid in no trumps

Post-beginner and above

This page last revised 1st Jun 2022

Context  -  Acol Bidding - the opening bid.


Note that the presence or absence of good stops in all four suits is not a consideration at this point.  Your opening bid will be determined by strength and shape.  Further considerations might come into play in the subsequent auction.


A common error


A common error among beginners is to make a bid in no trumps on an unbalanced hand ‘because they had to show their points’ -


no they didn’t - such a mindset is wrong - don’t do it.


Your priority is to show your shape first - not your points - if the hand is balanced then bid it as balanced, and if it isn’t then bid it accordingly.


Whilst showing your balanced holding you will then get to further define the strength of your hand as in the table above.

Looking ahead


As indicated above, as you progress you might choose to vary your methods in a number of respects.


All 4-3-3-3 and 4-4-3-2 hands are balanced and will be bid as such.


5-3-3-2

hands are by definition balanced.


It is at least reasonable to open all such hands as balanced.  This is the recommended starter method, and the modern standard is to stick with this method on the vast majority of balanced hands for ever after.

Some partnerships, though, agree to open some hands of this shape in the 12 to 14 range containing a five-card major with one of the major rebidding two of the major as would be standard practice with a six-card suit.


opening 5-3-3-2 shape


5-4-2-2 and 6-3-2-2 shapes


Both of these hand-shapes are semi-balanced.


Most of the time you will bid such hands as unbalanced thereby emphasising either the 5-4 shape or the six-card suit.

However there will be rare occasions when it is better to show them as balanced.


opening 5-4-2-2 shape


opening 6-3-2-2 shape

Strength


Although this site is all about systems featuring a weak opening 1NT you might, either as a general rule or in specific circumstances, choose to tinker with the ranges given above.


A number of possible variations on the 12-14 range are considered on the page


other ranges


However, whether or not you choose to redefine the range of the bid, it is recommended as you progress that you should add refinement to your evaluation of the hand and consider stretching or diminishing the range in certain situations


fine-tuning the strength


stretching the range


An expert variation


1 to cover 18 or 19 balanced


Position at the table and vulnerability


you might also choose to change your methods in detail according to your


position at the table and the vulnerability


but your underlying method will be to bid as linked from the table above.

Intermediate and above