These opening bids are generally employed in southern England and are part of the Acol bidding system. Mr. Eric Crowhurst was born in 1935 in Reading, England.

Although best known for his contribution to bidding theory, Eric Crowhurst has also been one of the most successful players in Britain. Over the years, he has won, (at least once, all the major competitions, such as the Hubert Phillips, Crockford's, the Gold Cup, Masters Pairs, Two Star Pairs, and also the Spring Foursomes. He was also the winner of the prestigious Bols Tips Competition in the year 1992.

Mr. Eric Crowhurst wrote, as a syndicated bridge columnist, for British newspapers. His articles became a regular feature for the New York Observer and his articles appeared, either in a regular or semi-regular format, in various Brittish bridge magazines. He also contributed articles for publication in newspapers in Israel and South Africa.

He supplied the famous Suit Combinations section for the Bridge Encyclopedia, later The Official Encyclopedia of Bridge, as published by the American Contract Bridge League. He was also the inventor of the Crowhurst Convention, and contributor to many bridge-related magazines and publications, as well as author of several bridge books.

The following opening bids, as developed by Mr. Eric Crowhurst, constitute the original opening bids with a few later modifications.

Opening Bids Only

Bid		Strength		Meaning
1 :		12-21 high card points		Shows a 3-card plus Club suit.
1 :		12-21 high card points		Shows a 4-card plus Diamond suit.
1 :		12-21 high card points		Shows a 4-card plus Heart suit.
1 :		12-21 high card points		Shows a 4-card plus Spade suit.
1 NT:		12-14 high card points		Shows balanced shape.
2 :		22+ high card points		Shows any shape.
2 :		18+ high card points		Shows a 5-card plus Diamond suit.
2 :		18+ high card points		Shows a 5-card plus Heart suit.
2 :		18+ high card points		Shows a 5-card plus Spade suit.
2 NT:		20-22 high card points		Shows balanced shape.

Both the 2 Hearts and 2 Spades opening bids are Acol Two bids.

Presented is his publication titled Acol In Competition, published 1980
Publisher: Pelham Books Ltd., London, England
ISBN-10: 0720715253 / ISBN-13: 978-0720715255, LC: 84243313.

If you wish to include this feature, or any other feature, of the game of bridge in your partnership agreement, then please make certain that the concept is understood by both partners. Be aware whether or not the feature is alertable or not and whether an announcement should or must be made. Check with the governing body and/or the bridge district and/or the bridge unit prior to the game to establish the guidelines applied. Please include the particular feature on your convention card in order that your opponents are also aware of this feature during the bidding process, since this information must be made known to them according to the Laws of Duplicate Contract Bridge. We do not always include the procedure regarding Alerts and/or Announcements, since these regulations are changed and revised during time by the governing body. It is our intention only to present the information as concisely and as accurately as possible.