Benjamin Convention (Benjaminised Acol, Benji)
Developed by Albert Benjamin in order to play weak 2 opennings in Acol bidding System. This system is also known as Benjaminised Acol or Benji. In this system 2 weak opennings are applied for major suits. 2 Clubs openning is used for unbalanced hands with at least 20 HCP and 2 Diamonds openning is used for very strong hands with 23+ HCP in any distribution. 2 Clubs openning is one tour, 2 Diamonds openning is a game forcing. Responder should not pass to 2 Clubs and 2 Diamonds opennings. There are many variations of this convention as you will see below.
Opener
Responder
Distribution
2 Diamonds
- 2 Hearts
- 2 Spades
- 2 NT
- 3 Clubs
- 3 Diamonds
- 3 Hearts
- 0-7 HCP
- 8+ HCP, At least 5 cards Spades
- 8+ HCP, Balanced
- 8+ HCP, At least 5 cards Clubs
- 8+ HCP, At least 5 cards Diamonds
- 8+ HCP, At least 5 cards Hearts
Opener
Responder
Distribution
2 Diamonds
- 2 Hearts
- 2 Spades
- 2 NT
- 3 Clubs
- 3 Diamonds
- 3 Hearts
- 3 Spades
- 3 NT
- 4 NT
- Ace of Hearts
- Ace of Spades
- No Ace
- Ace of Clubs
- Ace of Diamonds
- 6 cards of Hearts with Ace
- 6 cards of Spades with Ace
- 2 Aces
- 3 Aces
Opener
Responder
Distribution
2 Diamonds
- 2 Hearts
- 2 Spades
- 2 NT
- 3 Clubs
- 3 Diamonds
- 3 Hearts
- 3 Spades
- 3 NT
- 0-7 HCP No Ace
- 1 Major Ace
- 8+ HCP, No Ace
- 1 Minor Ace
- 2 Aces
- 6 cards of Hearts with Ace
- 6 cards of Spades with Ace
- 3 Aces
Opener
Responder
Distribution
2 Diamonds
- 2 Hearts
- 2 Spades
- 2 NT
- 3 Clubs
- 3 Diamonds
- 8+ HCP At least 5 cards of Hearts
- 8+ HCP At least 5 cards of Spades
- May be strong or weak, waits for the rebid of the opener
- 8+ HCP At least 5 cards of Clubs
- 8+ HCP At least 5 cards of Diamonds
2 Clubs opennings in this system are similar with the SAYC system, please see bidding systems section for details.
Some players play Reverse Benji which changes the meaning of 2 Clubs and 2 Diamonds opennings. Super 5 Cards Major applies this system just as follows.
Opener
Distribution
Responder
Distribution
2 Clubs
23+ HCP or 24+ TP with any distribution
- 2 Diamonds
- 2 Hearts
- 2 Spades
- 2 NT
- 3 Hearts
- 3 Spades
- 3 NT
- 0-7 HCP No Ace
- 1 Red Ace
- 1 Black Ace
- 8+ HCP No Ace
- 2 Aces in same color
- 2 Aces in same rank
- 2 Mixed Aces
2 Diamonds
20-23 TP unbalanced hand
- 2 NT
- 2 Majors
- 3 Minors
- 0-7 HCP or 8+ balanced hand
- 8+ HCP, At least 5 cards
- 8+ HCP, At least 5 cards
2 Majors
6HCP -13 TP At least 6 cards
Natural
2 NT
21-22 HCP balanced
- Stayman,
- Transfer