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An opening bid of 1NT shows 12-14 high-card points and a balanced distribution (4-3-3-3, 4-4-3-2 or 5-3-3-2 with a 5-card minor suit). This is a limit bid (describing the hand within a fairly narrow range) and so does not promise a rebid unless partner makes a forcing response.

An important thing to remember when considering an opening bid of one of a suit is that this promises a rebid if partner should make a simple change-of-suit response (eg 1©-1ª or 1ª-2¨), which in Acol is forcing for one round. One must always therefore have a safe rebid prepared for whatever response partner may make.

On a weakish opening bid, a safe rebid would consist of a 6-card suit or a safe second 5-card suit. To have a safe rebid with a weak hand containing two 5-card suits, the suits need to be touching. For this pupose, spades and clubs are regarded as touching suits. Bid the higher-ranking suit first except in the case of spades and clubs, when bid clubs first. The reason for this method is that partner can always return you to your first suit at the two level if he does not like your second suit.

Acol encourages the use of light opening bids when a safe rebid is available, as this makes it much more difficult for the opponents to enter the auction and find their own best contract. Light opening bids can be made on any suitable hand (as discussed earlier) with 10+ points (or sometimes even fewer if the distibution is particularly favourable).

Balanced hands containing 12-14 points are opened 1NT, as already discussed.

Balanced hands containing 20 or more points are opened with 2NT or 2§. These bids are discussed later.

Unbalanced hands containing more than 20 points will almost always qualify for an opening bid of two of a suit. These bids are also discussed later.

This leaves unbalanced hands containing 12-20 points and balanced hands containing 15-19 points to be handled with an opening bid of one of a suit.

With a single suited hand, open one of the longest suit.

With two suits of equal length, it is normally correct to open one of the higher-ranking suit, though the need for a safe rebid over any possible change-of-suit response from partner must be taken into consideration.

With a 4-4-4-1 distribution, open one of the suit below the singleton, unless the singleton is a club, when open 1© (this ensures that a 4-4 major suit fit will not be missed).

The choice of which suit to open, and what to rebid will be discussed in more detail later.

Based on the topics covered above, an opening bid of one of a suit is made on any of the following types of hand:

• 10+ points with a 6-card or two suitable 5-card suits
• 12-20 poits with a hand not suitable for a 1NT opening bid or an opening bid at the two level (discussed in later section on opening bids of two of a suit)
• 15-19 points with a balanced distribution, planning to rebid in no-trumps at the appropriate level (discussed in later section on opener's rebids)

An opening bid of 2NT shows a reasonably balanced hand and a point-count of 20-22. Whereas a hand containing a 5-card major will rarely be opened with 1NT, this restriction does not apply with the 2NT opening.

Balanced hands containing more than 22 points are opened with 2§ (see later).

Opening bid of 2§

2§ is the strongest opening bid available in Acol, the negative response being 2¨. It is forcing to game except in the one sequence 2§-2¨-2NT.

In assessing whether a hand is suitable for a 2§ opening bid, the number of quick tricks held is important.

The 2§ opening bid is made on any of the following types of hand:

• Balanced hands containing 23 or more points. With 23-24 points, rebid 2NT. With 25+ points rebid 3NT.
• Very strong hands containing at least 5 quick tricks. Rebid in longest suit.
• Any strong distributional hand in which you wish to play in game even if partner has minimal vlues. Rebid in longest suit.

Opening bids of 2¨, 2© or 2ª are strong and forcing for one round. The negative response is 2NT. They are strong opening bids, generally based on a single or two-suited hand containing 8 playing tricks.

Opening bids of 2¨, 2© and 2ª fall into three categories as follows:

• Single suited hands containing 8 playing tricks - open 2 of the suit.
• Two-suited hands containg 8 playing tricks provided a fit can be found for one of the suits. Open two of the higher-ranking suit.
• Any other strong distributional hand where you do not want to force to game with an opening of 2§, but do want to ensure a chance to rebid.

An opening bid of three of a suit is made on a weak hand with a long suit (at least 7 cards) and about 6 playing tricks not vulnerable or 7 if vulnerable. It is known as a pre-emptive bid and its purpose is to rob the opponents of bidding space and thus prevent them from entering the auction or cause them to reach the wrong contract.

An opening bid of four of a minor suit is similar to an opening three bid but slightly stronger. Normally an 8-card suit.

An opening bid of four of a major suit also shows a similar hand to an opening three bid, but with a potential game hand and no more than two quick tricks. Normally an 8-card suit.

• 10+ points with a 6-card or two suitable 5-card suits
• 12-20 poits with an unbalanced hand
• 15-19 points with a balanced hand

• 12-14 points, balanced distribution

Opening bid of 2§

• Balanced hands containing 23 or more points
• Very strong hands containing at least 5 quick tricks
• Any strong distributional hand in which you wish to play in game even if partner has minimal vlues

• Single suited hands containing 8 playing tricks
• Two-suited hands containg 8 playing tricks
• Any other strong distributional hand where you do not want to force to game with an opening of 2§, but do want to ensure a chance to rebid

• 20-22 points, balanced distribution

• Weak hand, 7-card suit or longer

• Four of a minor suit - similar to an opening three bid, but slightly stronger, 8-card suit
• Four of a major suit - similar to an opening three bid, but with a potential game hand and no more than two quick tricks, 8-card suit

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