Source: Andrew Gumperz Blog
1-4-4-4 is among the most awkward shapes when opening the bidding. The standard advice when I first started was to open 1
planning to rebid 2
if responder bid your singleton. This advice works well if opener is strong enough to complete his pattern. The partnership will find a game in any strain, if one exists, or play a reasonable partscore.
1
— 1
2
— 2
2
— ?
Opener’s Hand

x

AKxx

AKxx

KTxx
Responder’s Hand 1
Bid: 3

Responder’s Hand 2
Bid: 4

Responder’s Hand 3
Bid: 3

In all cases, responder’s call is clear and a reasonable, although not always cold, contract will be reached. However, when opener is not strong enough to bid a third time, the situation is different.
Opener’s Hand

x

AKxx

Axxx

KTxx
Responder’s Hand 1
2

is a terrible spot. The partnership belongs in 2

.
Responder’s Hand 2
2

is a terrible spot. The partnership might even make 4

.
Responder’s Hand 3
2

is a terrible spot. The partnership belongs in NT.
2

is a terrible spot. The partnership belongs in 1NT.
2

is a reasonable spot.
Holding a minimum opening bid (12-14 HCP) and 1-4-4-4 distribution, I now believe opener’s correct rebid is 1NT. 1NT is a limited rebid. It is usually easier for responder to bid facing a limited rebid, even when that rebid is a slight distortion as in this case, than opposite an unlimited call like a 2

rebid. Further, 1NT is often the best final contract; if responder holds 5-3-3-2 or 4-3-3-3 distribution then the partnership has no 8-card fit. And most importantly if responder holds 4+ Hearts, a 1NT response allows responder to show them even if he is weak.
1

— 1

1NT — ?
Opener’s Hand

x

AKxx

Axxx

KTxx
Responder’s Hand 1
2

. Opener will raise to 3

which is not ideal, but even 3

is better than 2

.
Responder’s Hand 2
2

. Opener will raise to 3

.
Responder’s Hand 3
2NT. Opener will raise to 3NT.
2

(or 2

if using two-way checkback Stayman planning to pass opener’s response of 2

)
Rebidding 1NT with 12-14 and 1-4-4-4 gets the partnership to any game and often improves the partscore. The downside is that responder can no longer be certain opener holds 2+ cards in his first bid suit, but playing
TWCB this is rarely a problem as long as responder is cautious about picking a strain with a broken 6-card major. When opener holds exactly 15-16 HCP he has the most awkward choice. He is too strong to open 1

and rebid 1NT, yet he is too weak to open 1

, rebid 2

and then bid 2

. Opener must choose between three flawed options:
Open 1NT with a singleton spade. This is my choice if my hand includes a singleton spade honor.

Q

KQJx

KQxx
AT9x
Underbid by opening 1
and rebidding 1NT. This is my choice when I hold exactly 15 HCP.

x

AKxx

Axxx

KJxx
Overbid by opening 1
, rebidding 2
and then 2
. This is my choice with a prime 16 HCP.

x

AKxx

Axxx

AJTx
Conclusion:
When your shape is exactly 1-4-4-4:
- With 12-14 HCP open 1
and rebid 1NT if your partner responds 1
- With 17-18 HCP open 1
and rebid 2
planning to bid out your pattern
- With 15-16 HCP either open 1
and choose between an underbid (1NT), an overbid (2
then 2
) or open 1NT with soft values
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