Hi Giles,

I understand the idea of being able to open 1NT with a singleton as the latest allowable thing.

it is opening 1NT with 2 doubletons that I was really wanting clarification about as it has never been used at our club. It would be nice to have written confirmation on when this came into force. I think a lot of pairs would be in big trouble with the examples you give!

thanks

Eleanor 

I don't think there has ever been any change here

The "standard" with any 5422 shape is to open the 5-card suit then rebid the 4-card suit
unless that takes the bidding too high (ie above 2 of the first bid suit)  with a minimum opener
tn which case the 5-card suit needs to be repeated

But with some hands that sequence is so ugly an alternative should be considered

For example I would ALWAYS open 1NT with this hand:    S: AJ     H: AJ     D: K 4 3 2     C:  8 6 5 4 2

To open 1C then repeat the clubs is hideous for a number of reasons
and the hand is not strong enough to rebid 2D on the second round 

Whereas to open 1NT gives a precise description of the hand
AND you don't have any more problems for the rest of the auction
AND it obstructs the opponents better than 1C
AND  a doubleton AJ is a better chance of an extra trick from the opening lead if it is in declarer's hand rather than dummy 
(for example if dummy has Q x  or  10 x x   or   K x x)
AND if you do end up defending partner won't find a disasterous club lead (from K x  for example)

To improvise in this way is not breaking any rules either in the Teaching Maunal or the Directing Manual
Such rules only apply to a pairs METHODs
To do something different from ones METHOD is Ok unless it happens so often it effectively becomes a different method

I hand I remember (Not very well) was something like:

S: AQ

H: K432

D: 75432

C: K8

The hand was a disaster for anybody opening a Diamond  and then having to rebid 2D over a predictable 1S response, playing there opposite partners singleton 9.

Well over half the room played this unlovely contract and yet opening 1NT showing 12-14 would have avoided all that with no real downside.

There are a number of things new bridge players are taught as "Rules" which would be much better described as "for now, it will be best if you do this, but be aware more experienced players will do abc". 

These "Rules", while initially effective for beginning players, will hinder the players from developing their own judgement, something critical to advance in this game.

I always tell beginners "these are the rules. Never break them without a reason"