Acol bidding: the basics
Acol is the bidding system most widely taught in British clubs: you may open 1♥ or 1♠ with just four cards, and the 1NT opening is usually weak (12–14 points).
Some partnerships play a strong no-trump (15–17) instead, as many Dutch players do. In VosBridge you choose which one you play.
Acol in a table
| Opening | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 1 of a suit | About 12–19 points, at least four cards in the suit |
| 1NT | Balanced: 12–14 points (weak no-trump) or 15–17 (strong no-trump) |
| 2♣ | Strong and artificial: a game-going hand, or 23 points or more balanced |
| 2♦, 2♥ and 2♠ | Acol twos: strong, about eight playing tricks; partner may not pass. Many pairs play weak twos instead |
| 2NT | 20–22 points, balanced |
| 3 of a suit | Pre-emptive: weak, with a long suit (usually seven cards) |
| After partner's 1NT | 2♣ is Stayman: do you have four hearts or four spades? |
Examples
Example 1: weak or strong no-trump
- ♠ K 7 4
- ♥ A J 6 3
- ♦ Q 9 2
- ♣ K 10 5
13 points, balanced. Playing a weak no-trump (12–14), you open 1NT. Playing a strong no-trump (15–17), you open 1♥: your only four-card suit.
Example 2: an Acol two
- ♠ A K Q 10 8 6
- ♥ A 4
- ♦ K Q 3
- ♣ 7 5
18 points and a strong six-card spade suit: about eight tricks in your own hand. Playing Acol twos, you open 2♠. Playing weak twos, you open 1♠.
Example 3: Stayman
- ♠ K 10 8 5
- ♥ Q 9 4
- ♦ A Q 3
- ♣ K 6 2
Partner opens 1NT. Together you have enough for game. With four spades you bid 2♣ (Stayman). If partner answers 2♠, you bid 4♠. If partner answers 2♦ or 2♥, you bid 3NT.
Common mistakes
- Not agreeing which no-trump you play. Tell your partner beforehand: 12–14 or 15–17.
- Passing partner's Acol two. It is forcing for one round.
- Bidding Stayman without a four-card major.
- Forgetting that 1♥ and 1♠ promise only four cards. Raise with four-card support to be sure of a fit.
Practise this
In VosBridge you choose Acol with a weak or a strong no-trump; the bots bid it with you and explain every bid. VosBridge is not open to everyone yet: a small group of testers already plays.
Tell me when VosBridge opens
You will get one e-mail when VosBridge opens. First we send you an e-mail to confirm your sign-up.