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5-4 shape

5-4 in the majors

At one time the bid of choice would have been ‘double’, assuming that the hand at least approximated to opening strength.

Clearly this double maximised the chances of finding an early fit in your four-card major, although a 5-3 fit in the other major could still be a bit elusive.

Standard good practice has changed significantly in recent times.

If the five-card suit is of sufficient quality it is now normal practice to bid that suit.

This deprives your opponents of a little bidding space, sets the scene for a competitive auction, and indicates a defensive lead, all before the opportunity disappears from sight as the bidding spirals rapidly skyward.

If a fit is not forthcoming you may get a further opportunity to search for a fit in the second suit.

Advancer’s next bid

This page last revised 7th Jul 2020

Context - Acol bidding - overcaller - opponents opened one of a suit (natural) - new suit at the lowest level.

Of course, if your five-card suit is not up to standard then you might still have to resort to the double.

With five hearts and four spades and an inadequate heart suit then the equal level conversion will come to your rescue if you have adopted that convention.

But with five spades, four hearts, and an inadequate spade suit your best option will frequently be to pass.

Five-card minor

Guidance on this situation is not so much unclear as non-existent, which is to say that I haven’t come across it yet.

All I can do is offer my take on it.  It may or may not represent best practice.

If your minor suit is not up to a biddable strength on account of either length or honours holding then you will have no choice other than to double or pass.

With suitable points you will be able to double on 5-4-3-1 and 5-4-4-0 hands (short in the opponents’ suit).

If you have adopted the equal level conversion convention (above) you will also be able to use this route on some 5-4-2-2 hands.

But with a biddable suit you will have to make a choice.

My choice, if my suit bid would be primarily obstructive or lead-directing in intent with little thought of a making contract my way, is to bid the suit.

On the other hand, if I am thinking of overcalling on a good hand with every hope of a contract my way, and if further my four-card suit is a major, then my preference will be to double to maximise the possibility of locating a major suit fit, provided that I can stand a response in any suit.

Five-card major and four-card minor

This time there is no area of debate.

If your suit is up to standard you will overcall in the major.