Opening with exactly 1-4-4-4 shape

1-4-4-4 is among the most awkward shapes when opening the bidding. The standard advice when I first started was to open 1♦ planning to rebid 2♣ if responder bid your singleton. This advice works well if opener is strong enough to complete his pattern. The partnership will find a game in any strain, if one exists, or play a reasonable partscore.

1♦  —  1♠