Bejamin Convention

BENJAMIN CONVENTION

The Benjamin convention was devised by Mr. Albert Benjamin of Scotland. Mr. Albert Benjamin liked the Weak Two Bids so much, that he decided to alter the concept somewhat. He learned as a bridge student to employ the Acol System, which is standard in British tournament play and widely used in other parts of the world. The Benjamin convention has become a feature of the Acol System, especially when dealing with minimal Weak Two Bids. The concept is that an opening in either Minor suit shows a strong holding whereas an opening in either Major suit shows a weak holding.

Opening Bid

2 An artificial and strong opening. Promises a range of 20-23 points and a long suit or 22-23 plus points with balanced distribution. One round forcing.

2
An artificial and strong opening. Promises a range of 23 plus points. Forcing to 2 No Trump.

2
Weak Two Bid showing both Major suits. The Heart suit is stronger than the Spade suit. The minimum range must be at least 5 points. The top range is unspecified, but less than opening.

2 Weak Two Bid showing both Major suits. The Spade suit is stronger than the Heart suit. The minimum range must be at least 5 points. The top range is unspecified, but less than opening.

Responses After A 2 Opening

2: This response is artificial, negative in nature or semi-positive. The bid also promises fewer than 3 controls, whereby an Ace equals 2 controls and a King equals 1 control.

2: This response is positive, natural, and promises a minimum of 3 controls as well as a minimum 5-card suit headed by an Ace or King.

2: This response is positive, natural, and promises a minimum of 3 controls as well as a minimum 5-card suit headed by an Ace or King.

3: This response is positive, natural, and promises a minimum of 3 controls as well as a minimum 5-card suit headed by an Ace or King.

3: This response is positive, natural, and promises a minimum of 3 controls as well as a minimum 5-card suit headed by an Ace or King.

2NT: This response is positive, natural, and promises 8-10 points and a balanced distribution.

3NT: This response is positive, natural, and promises 11-13 points and a balanced distribution.

Responses After A 2 Opening

In the original version the responses to a 2 opening are identical to the responses employed in the Albarran-de Nexon conventional method with the first response of 2 being the only negative response. The other responses are listed below. The designations of North-South are only used for the sake of presentation and convenience.

North

South
Meaning

2

2
Promises only the Ace of Hearts

2
Promises only the Ace of Spades

2 NT
Promises no Aces but 8 high card points plus

3
Promises only the Ace of Clubs

3
Promises only the Ace of Diamonds

3
Promises the equivalent and minimum of AKQxxx, a 6-card suit

3
Promises the equivalent and minimum of AKQxxx, a 6-card suit

3 NT
Promises 2 Aces

4
Promises the equivalent of AKQxxx, a 6-card suit

4
Promises the equivalent of AKQxxx, a 6-card suit

4 NT
Promises 3 Aces

A variation of this concept was devised by Mr. Claude Delmouly and by Mr. Jacques Parienté of France. The responses are listed below:

North

South
Meaning

2

2
A negative first response

2
Promises 1 Ace in a Major suit, not specifically Spades

2 NT
A positive first response indicating no Ace

3
Promises 1 Ace in a Minor suit, which is not specified

3
Promises 2 Aces but does not specify which

3
Promises the equivalent and minimum of KQxxx in Hearts, a 6-card plus suit, but no values in any side suit

3
Promises the equivalent and minimum of KQxxx in Spades, a 6-card plus suit, but no values in any side suit

3 NT
Promises 3 Aces

Another variation on this concept was proposed by Mr. Paul Chemla and by Mr. Michel Lebel, also of France. The responses are listed below:

North

South
Meaning

2

2
A negative first response showing 0-2 controls, either 1 King plus maximum 1 Queen or 1 Ace but no other honors

2
A positive first response showing 1-2 controls, either a minimum of 2 Kings or 1 King and 2 Queens or 1 Ace and 2 Queens

2 NT
Promises 3 controls

3
Promises 4 controls

3
Promises 5 controls

3
Promises 6 controls or more

3
This is a Super-Texas Transfer to Clubs. The opener must bid two steps above, skipping No Trump

3 NT
This is a Super-Texas Transfer to Diamonds. The opener must bid two steps above, skipping 4 Clubs

4
This is a natural response showing a 7 or 8 card Heart suit headed by KQJxxxx(x), but no other values in any side suits

4
This is a natural response showing a 7 or 8 card Spade suit headed by KQJxxxx(x), but no other values in any side suits

Reverse Benjamin: A version of Acol, where 2 Clubs is game-forcing, 2 Diamonds shows an ACOL Two Bid, and 2 Hearts/Spades are weak.

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.


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Opening Bid
2		An artificial and strong opening. Promises a range of 20-23 points and a long suit or 22-23 plus points with balanced distribution. One round forcing.

2		An artificial and strong opening. Promises a range of 23 plus points. Forcing to 2 No Trump.

2		Weak Two Bid showing both Major suits. The Heart suit is stronger than the Spade suit. The minimum range must be at least 5 points. The top range is unspecified, but less than opening.

2		Weak Two Bid showing both Major suits. The Spade suit is stronger than the Heart suit. The minimum range must be at least 5 points. The top range is unspecified, but less than opening.

2:	This response is artificial, negative in nature or semi-positive. The bid also promises fewer than 3 controls, whereby an Ace equals 2 controls and a King equals 1 control.
2:	This response is positive, natural, and promises a minimum of 3 controls as well as a minimum 5-card suit headed by an Ace or King.
2:	This response is positive, natural, and promises a minimum of 3 controls as well as a minimum 5-card suit headed by an Ace or King.
3:	This response is positive, natural, and promises a minimum of 3 controls as well as a minimum 5-card suit headed by an Ace or King.
3:	This response is positive, natural, and promises a minimum of 3 controls as well as a minimum 5-card suit headed by an Ace or King.
2NT:	This response is positive, natural, and promises 8-10 points and a balanced distribution.
3NT:	This response is positive, natural, and promises 11-13 points and a balanced distribution.

North	South	Meaning
2	2	Promises only the Ace of Hearts
	2	Promises only the Ace of Spades
	2 NT	Promises no Aces but 8 high card points plus
	3	Promises only the Ace of Clubs
	3	Promises only the Ace of Diamonds
	3	Promises the equivalent and minimum of AKQxxx, a 6-card suit
	3	Promises the equivalent and minimum of AKQxxx, a 6-card suit
	3 NT	Promises 2 Aces
	4	Promises the equivalent of AKQxxx, a 6-card suit
	4	Promises the equivalent of AKQxxx, a 6-card suit
	4 NT	Promises 3 Aces