Re: the ACOL 1NT

Why do you play a “weak No Trump”? One of the first things that you are taught when learning the Acol system is that, unless you choose otherwise, you open 1NT with a balanced hand and 12 to 14 high card points. But maybe you haven't been taught WHY you choose to play the weak No Trump, nor what to do when you or your partner does open a weak 1NT.

Some people do choose to play a stronger (15-17) 1NT and still call it Acol, but strictly speaking, that is not what Acol is about, so let's stick to the weak NT and the reasons for it. When the Acol system was first devised, the main reason for the weak 1NT was the pre-emptive effect that a comparatively weak opening of 1NT can have. As well as that, it covers a reasonable percentage of hands that you will be dealt. When you open 1NT, your partner will know, within very small parameters, the makeup of your hand, which means that partner will be able to take appropriate action in continuing, or not continuing, the auction. Not only that, if opponents interfere, partner will know enough about your hand to be able to either compete safely, or to penalise opponents for their temerity.

Too few people these days know how to penalise opponents. If you can learn how to do that you can reap a heap of match points. That is why they played the weak 1NT in the old days, and there is no reason why things should be any different now, is there? Let's look at the following deal 10WED from the 8th of March:

Board 5 Dealer N NS Vul

T42
743
AJ32
AQJ
9876
Q
QT74
7532
KQ
AT985
85
KT96
AJ53
KJ62
K96
84

North's hand could not fit the requirements of a weak 1NT opening more perfectly: a completely balanced (4333) hand and 12 HCP. The only scary thing is that NS are vulnerable and North is at the mercy of opponents, being first to bid. That is why some people choose a stronger NT opening, but that is not what the red blooded true Acol players worry about. They are confident that the odds are on their side most of the time, and so it proves to be in this case.

East, with quite a reasonable hand and not vulnerable, feels confident, and safe, in competing with a bid of 2H. South now has two choices available: to bid 3NT in the expectation of that contract making for +600, or to penalise East by doubling.There is no guarantee of scoring more from a penalty than from making 3NT, but I would always choose the penalty over a marginal game. If South opts to double 2H, that will certainly result in a three trick set for +500, and with faultless defence, a four trick set for +800. Just check the results as they were on the night: only one pair in 3NT, but down one. Not one East in 2H doubled, but would any East NOT have bid 2H over a 1NT opening by North? Either many Norths were not playing a weak NT or they were simply too chicken to open 1NT, which defeats the whole purpose of playing Acol.

If partner opens 1NT and you have at least 10 HCP, you should be reasonably confident that you will defeat opponents unless they are very lucky, and with most hands you should be in a position to double for penalties. This South hand makes it absolutely certain that East will not get anywhere near 2H and South should double and just wait to see how many down East goes. As it happens, even +300 would have bettered any other NS score on the night.

For those who are confused between takeout and penalty doubles, I suggest the following when PARTNER opens 1NT:

  • If right hand opponent bids 2C or 2D, double is TAKEOUT (shows both majors) but can be left in if
    opener has a suitable hand on defence
  • If RHO overcalls 2H or 2S, or anything higher, double is PENALTY

This is quite different to what you might do over SUIT openings, when pretty well all doubles up to 3H are TAKEOUT.

A final note: You can see that, in overcalling a 1NT opening, bidding one suit can be fraught with danger. Here, East had a second suit in clubs and as it happens, West also had clubs, in fact enough of a fit for a club contract to be much safer, down only ONE in 2C. But 2H? UGH! That is why I suggest that it is vital that you are able to show TWO suits (if you have them) in overcalling 1NT. We have a system that will show hearts and clubs, and if you want to know more about that, feel free to ask, or if you read the “Friday Reviews” you will learn more about it in those. In the meantime, sort out your bidding around the 1NT opening and continuations if you are going to play Acol the way it should be to get the best results.