Crowhurst

Crowhurst is an ACOL convention played in conjunction with a 12-14 weak 1NT. It assumes that when a player opens 1-suit, a 1NT rebid shows 12-16 HCP. This is a very wide range that may cause responder difficulty.

After hearing the 1NT rebid, responder can apply the Crowhurst convention by bidding an artificial 2 to ask opener's shape and strength. As a game exploration bid, this requires 10+ points. It is completely artificial even opposite a 1 opening bid.

1 : 1/
1N : 2

1 : 1
1N : 2

The purpose of Crowhurst is to provide latitude in opening 1NT or 1-suit with 12-14 balanced hands. Before adopting Crowhurst, players should decide whether the benefit of a "choosy" 1NT opening bid outweighs the complexity of the 12-16 1NT rebid and subsequent Crowhurst auctions.

Opener's Rebids

In response to Crowhurst, opener's rebids in priority are:

2 Artificial, minimum, 12-13 points. May or may not have 3-card support if responder has bid a major.

2 14-16 points, 4 hearts. This bid only occurs after a 1/ opening bid and a 1 response. Opener is obligated to show a 4-card heart suit in case there is a 4-4 fit, which is generally superior to a 5-3 fit.

2NT 15-16 points, no 3-card support for responder's major.

2 of partner's
major

14-15 points with 3-card support.

3 of partner's
major 16 points with 3-card support.

Examples

The following are some examples of Crowhurst auctions. Although they all emphasize the major suits, please note the sample auctions above for minor-suit sequences.

Opener Responder

83 AQ652

AKQ65 J2

A87 T93

T42 QJ5

Opener
1 ¹
1NT
2 ³
Pass
Responder
1
2 ²
2NT ⁴

Forgoing a 1NT opening bid with concentrated heart strength
Crowhurst
Artificial, minimum
Signoff

Opener Responder

A53 KT987

KJ54 AQT2

KT J53

AT52 3

Opener
1
1NT
2 ²
Responder
1
2 ¹
4 ³

Crowhurst
Natural, 14-16 points, game-forcing
Signoff, in keeping with the principle of fast arrival

Opener Responder

AK5 QJT63

543 KJ92

AQ9 62

K432 A7

Opener
1
1NT
3 ²
Responder
1
2 ¹
4

Crowhurst
16 points with 3-card support

Origins

Crowhurst is named for English expert Eric Crowhurst.

2	Artificial, minimum, 12-13 points. May or may not have 3-card support if responder has bid a major.
2	14-16 points, 4 hearts. This bid only occurs after a 1/ opening bid and a 1 response. Opener is obligated to show a 4-card heart suit in case there is a 4-4 fit, which is generally superior to a 5-3 fit.
2NT	15-16 points, no 3-card support for responder's major.
2 of partner's major	14-15 points with 3-card support.
3 of partner's major	16 points with 3-card support.

		Opener			Responder
		83			AQ652
		AKQ65			J2
		A87			T93
		T42			QJ5
		Opener 1 ¹ 1NT 2 ³ Pass			Responder 1 2 ² 2NT ⁴

		Opener			Responder
		A53			KT987
		KJ54			AQT2
		KT			J53
		AT52			3
		Opener 1 1NT 2 ²			Responder 1 2 ¹ 4 ³

		Opener			Responder
		AK5			QJT63
		543			KJ92
		AQ9			62
		K432			A7
		Opener 1 1NT 3 ²			Responder 1 2 ¹ 4