In traditional Acol, the uncontested sequence 1-2
shows 6-9 points
with three or four card support, whilst 1
-3
is 10-11 points, at least four
card support. The main reason for the wider ranging 2
bid is that opener has space for a game
try.
A visit to your local club will reveal a lot of overbidders,
who will raise the three level on a mere 8 or 9 points with
four card support. That feels right because it preempts
opponents out of the auction. But it is difficult for opener to
guess what to do after 1-3
if the raise is 8-11 points.
We suggest the raise to 3 or 5 method. It works as follows
(and similarly over 1):
1-2
= 4-7
count with four card support, or 6-8 count with three card
support. (With a nine count and three card support, you would
introduce a new suit.)
1-3
= 8-9
count with four card support.
1-2NT = 10-11 count, four card
support, or enough for a raise to the five level (15+
points).
1-3NT = 12-14 count balanced, four
card support.
1-3
/4
/
= splinter
raises to game (singleton or void in bid suit): typically 11-14
count.
You can steal a point or two from the 3 and 2NT responses with a singleton.
Now what about continuations over the 2NT bid? One advantage
of the method is that there is space for game tries. For
example, consider 1-2NT-3
-3
. The 3
bid is a game try (long suit trial bid), over
which the 3
bid is a return try.
If at any stage either hand wants to bid game they bid 3NT
instead, to allow partner room to explore if he was always
interested in slam. The first cue-bid at the 4-level shows a
serious slam-try, and if it comes from responder, promises an
initial raise to 5. For example, 1-2NT-3
-3NT-4
. Here 3
was initially just a game
try, but would also be done on slam-going hands with clubs. Now
3NT was showing a raise to the three level accepting the game
try, but giving room to opener should he have a slam try. Four
diamonds duly showed the slam try.
1-2NT-3
-4
is a raise to the five level,
showing a club feature.
Some examples:
Ax QJ10xxx Kxx xx | Qxx Kxxx AJx Qxx | 1![]() ![]() |
Axx AJ10xx KJxx x | Kx Kxxx Axxx xxx | 1![]() ![]() |
AK AQxxx KQxx xx | xxx Kxxx Ax Axxx | 1![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
(4![]() ![]() |
||
Axx AJ10xx KJxx x | xxx KQxx Axx AKx | 1![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Axx AKJxx KQxx x | KQx Qxxx Ax xxxx | 1![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
4![]() |
As with all conventions, you need to consider what you giving up in exchange. Here it is your natural 2NT response. Whether you have played this as 11-12 or 16+ points (Baron), you should normally be comfortable bidding a new suit instead, then 2NT, natural, next time.
2NT, natural, is still available in response to 1 or 1
. One method to
improve your minor suit bidding is to use inverted
raises, but that is another story.