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 KTxxResponder’s Hand 1
KJxxx QTxx xx xxBid: 3
Responder’s Hand 2
Axxxx QJxx xx xxBid: 4
Responder’s Hand 3
AKxxx xxx Qx QxBid: 3NT
Responder’s Hand 4
Axxxx xxx xxx QxBid: 2NT
Responder’s Hand 5
AKxx xx xxxx xxxBid: 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.
1 — 1
— 12 — 2
— 2P
Opener’s Hand
x AKxx Axxx KTxxResponder’s Hand 1
KJxxx QTxx xx xx2 is a terrible spot. The partnership belongs in 2.
is a terrible spot. The partnership belongs in 2.Responder’s Hand 2
Axxxx QJxx xx xx2 is a terrible spot. The partnership might even make 4.
is a terrible spot. The partnership might even make 4.Responder’s Hand 3
AKxxx xxx Qx Qx2 is a terrible spot. The partnership belongs in NT.
is a terrible spot. The partnership belongs in NT.Responder’s Hand 4
Axxxx xxx xxx Qx2 is a terrible spot. The partnership belongs in 1NT.
is a terrible spot. The partnership belongs in 1NT.Responder’s Hand 5
AKxx xx xxxx xxx2 is a reasonable spot.
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.
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
— 11NT — ?
Opener’s Hand
x AKxx Axxx KTxxResponder’s Hand 1
KJxxx QTxx xx xx2. Opener will raise to 3 which is not ideal, but even 3 is better than 2.
. Opener will raise to 3 which is not ideal, but even 3 is better than 2.Responder’s Hand 2
Axxxx QJxx xx xx2. Opener will raise to 3.
. Opener will raise to 3.Responder’s Hand 3
AKxxx xxx Qx Qx2NT. Opener will raise to 3NT.
Responder’s Hand 4
Axxxx xxx xxx QxPass.
Responder’s Hand 5
AKxx xx xxxx xxx2 (or 2 if using two-way checkback Stayman planning to pass opener’s response of 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:
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 KJxxOverbid by opening 1, rebidding 2 and then 2. This is my choice with a prime 16 HCP.
x AKxx Axxx AJTxConclusion:
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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