ACOL 2 bids: Bridge Bidding Convention

ACOL TWO-BID

The Acol Two-Bid is an intermediate bid and is forcing for one-round, because it represents a strong and forcing bid. It is either an opening bid in First, Second, Third or Fourth Seat. In Third and Fourth Seat, the partner has already relayed the information that he is weak. The following examples should clarify the holding for an Acol Two-Bid. 2 Diamond , 2 Heart , 2 Spade shows 8 playing tricks, with a good suit or occasionally a two-suited hand. It promises less values than a 2 Club opening bid, which is game forcing.

Spade AKQ8753 Heart AJ Diamond AJ5 Club 3 open 2 Spade

Spade 7 Heart AQJ1054 Diamond AK984 Club 8 open 2 Heart

In the first example, the Acol Two-Bid can be made with only one suit containing 8 Playing Tricks. In the second example, the Acol Two-Bid can be made with two suits, each with a minimum length of 5-card suits, and again 8 Playing Tricks. The trick-taking ability of the holding is the foundation of the Acol Two-Bid.

The partner responds with 2NT to signal a weak hand. After the partner responds with a Negative bid, opener's rebids are natural and non-forcing unless they make a Reverse

Responses to a Strong Two bid.

New Suit - 5+ card suit, 8+ points and game-forcing.
2NT - is the Negative response, showing 0-7 points.
Single raise - 3+ card support, with 5+ points. Game-forcing.
Double raise - Weaker than a single raise. Usually represents a weak hand with at least 4-card support.
3NT - Natural, balanced, 8-11 points.

Some partnerships use the Herbert Negative instead of 2NT in response to an ACOL Two Bid. The cheapest step response by responder is artificial, showing 0-7 points without support for opener's suit. Examples:

2 - 2
2 - 2
2 - 2NT

Opener's rebids are natural.

The benefit of the Herbert Negative is that it saves bidding space. The traditional negative response is 2NT, which consumes more space and "wrong-sides" the play of the hand in no-trumps.

The drawback to the Herbert Negative is that it takes away the natural, positive meaning of the cheapest suit response. To bid the suit naturally, responder must make a jump-bid at the 3-level instead.