Opening 4-4-4-1 Hands

The usual convention is that you open the suit BELOW the singleton. This is still taught by the EBU. With a singleton club open 1 spade; with a singleton diamond open 1 club; with a singleton heart open 1 diamond; with a singleton spade open 1 heart. This presents a problem with some players who open 1 spade which always shows a 5-card suit (or longer). It can be far more difficult to reach a fit with a singleton club if spades are opened.. Those who play 5 card majors cannot use this scheme

An alternative scheme

With a red suit singleton open 1 club

With a black suit singleton open the middle suit

A summary of opening bids with a 4-4-4-1 hand

The singleton is	EBU teaching scheme-open	Alternate scheme-open	Playing 5 card majors: open	Taps scheme
a	1	1	1	1
a	1	1	1	1
a	1	1	1	1
a	1	1	1	1

A very strong 4-4-4-1 opener

These hands always cause difficulties in showing the shape and strength. Best is to treat the hand as a "reversing " hand which normally shows 5-4 in the two suits bid. Open the minor and jump in the major. With a singleton or , bid the minor suit first, then the suit next and show the s finally if possible.

With a weak 4-4-4-1 hand where the singleton is a, and you open 1 (which if you play 5 card majors you have to) there is a re-bid problem should partner bid 2. Best option is to "lie" and re-bid 2

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