1. Benjaminised (or Benji) Acol
Some Bidding Techniques
Benjaminised (or Benji) Acol
(Part I)

2. Benji Acol Becoming very popular
Pre-emptive at the 2 level instead of 3
Note:
Must be agreed beforehand with partner
Need a new way of bidding strong Twos
No change to other parts of your system
1 Level and 3 Level openings remain as they were

3. Benji Acol Invented by Albert Benjamin In a nutshell:
2 is an ‘Acol Two’ in any suit
2 is 23+ points or Game Force (Acol 2)
2 is 6-9 points and 6 Hearts
2 is 6-9 points and 6 Spades

4. We will discuss the weak 2 openings in the next session2 2
Today we concentrate on the strong openings 2 2
And balanced hand bidding

5. 2 Openings
Used to show any hand worthy of a Strong Two opening in any suit
8 Playing tricks for a major
(Because you can show the suit at the 2 level)
9 Playing tricks for a minor (Because you have to show the suit at the 3 level)

6. Response to 2 Openings 2 ALWAYS! Says – tell me more
In particular – which suit?
NOTE – this is a relay not a negative

7. After 2 - 2 2 = 8 playing tricks in Hearts
2 = 8 playing tricks in Spades
3 = 9 playing tricks in Clubs
3 = 9 playing tricks in Diamonds
(See later for balanced hand bidding)

8. Example    
AKQJT4
Q92
AKQ6 2    
8763 43
AT9763 2 2 2 4

9. Example 2 2 3 3 3NT     9 A9 A86 AKQJ743     KQ763 K3 943262 2 2 3 3
3NT

10. 2 Openings Your strongest bid 23+ points Or can make game by itself
Exactly the same as Acol 2
Except the negative response (Less than 8) is 2
Simple as that

11. 2 Openings Your strongest bid 23+ points (Forcing to game)
The positive response (8 or more) is 2 of your best suit or NT
Telling your partner that a slam may be on

12. Example 2 2 2NT 3NT     AKJ A92 A86 AK43     763 K3 9532
Q652
2NT
3NT

13. Balanced Hand Bidding Standard Acol 2NT = 20-22 2-2-2NT = 23-24
New Option
2NT = 21-22
2-2-2NT = 19-20
2-2-2NT = 23-24
2-2-3NT = 25+

14. Example 2 2 2NT 3 3 4     K103 AJ76 AK6 AJ4     Q2 K982
832 2 2
2NT 3 3 4

15. Summary 2 is an ‘Acol Two’ in any suit OR 19-20 Balanced
2 is 23+ points or Game Force (Acol 2)
2 is 6-9 points and 6 Hearts
2 is 6-9 points and 6 Spades
2NT is Balanced