MODIFICATIONS TO BENJI
INCORPORATING WEAK TWO IN DIAMONDS
(MULTI 2♣ - BENJI)

(Developed by Tony Haworth – December 2013)

  1. 2♣ - eight playing tricks in any suit
    or
    - strong balanced x-y points
    or
     - weak 2 in diamonds (5 - 9 pts. 6 or 7 card suit)

(the bid should not be used when also holding a four-card major)

  1. In response (responder should initially assume opener has the weak diamond hand)

    2.1 - 2    ♥, 2♠, 3♣, 3♦ - invitational, 6-card suit alternative suit (~14+ points)

    (This is similar to a suit response to a benji 2    ♥ or 2♠).

    In response opener can support or revert to 3    ♦.
    With a ‘strong’ balanced hand opener should bid NT at lowest level.
    With strong single suited, bid suit (except diamonds – jump bid in no-trumps or bid 4    ♦).

    2.2 - jump bid in a suit other than diamonds – forcing. With diamonds, bid 4♦

    2.3 - with ~14 points and 5/5 in the majors, bid 2♠, and over the expected 3♦, then bid 3♥.

    2.4 - 2NT – 16 -19 pts.

    Responses:

    3♣ - weak diamonds, upper end of range, 5-card (puppet) Stayman, at least one 3 or 4-card major (or 8 tricks in clubs)

    3♦ - weak diamonds, minimum of range

    3♥ - weak diamonds, upper end of range, no three+ card major, poor diamonds (or 8 tricks in hearts)

    3♠ - weak diamonds, upper end of range, no three card major, good diamonds (or 8 tricks in spades)

    (good suit = two of top four honours)

    4NT – quantative – looking for grand slam

    4♦ – strong single suited diamonds

    2.5 - 2    ♦ - others (the usual response)

Over intervening bids, treat the same as when opening weak 2♥ or 2♠.

Over 2♣ - dbl; – the immediate 2suit or 2NT shows lower points (i.e. 14,15 over suit and 16-17 over 2NT), and the delayed bid shows higher points.

Over 2♣ - dbl; – 2♦ is 14+ with diamonds, whereas 3♦ is pre-emptive.

As a consequence, an opening bid of 3♦ shows a seven card suit with two of top three honours.

These modifications are licensed at level 4 (usual club level) – Blue Book 7C1. Under previous Regulations – Orange Book – these would not have been permitted at level 3 (the previous ‘club’ level).

AFH