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) (if also holding a 4-card major, 5-6 pts)
(may be only a 5-card suit in third position)

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

2.1 - 2♥, 2♠, 3♣ - invitational, 6-card (good 5) suit alternative suit (~14-16 points)
( - 2♦ can also show an invitational hand in diamonds, which opener can pass)

(These are similar to suit responses to a benji 2♥ or 2♠).

In response opener can support, ‘pass’, or revert to 3♦.
With a ‘strong’ balanced hand opener should bid NT at lowest level.
With strong single suited, bid suit (except diamonds – bid 4♦).
With a ‘good’ weak 2♦, opener can bid 3NT with outside controls.

2.2 - jump bid in a suit other than diamonds – 7+ card suit ~ 9-12 pts.

2.3 - bid 3D with poor hand and 3-card diamond suit (continuing the pre-empt).

2.4 - with ~13 points and 5/5 in the majors, bid 2♠, and over the expected 3♦, then bid 3♥.

2.5 - 2NT – 16 -19 pts. - forcing

Responses (basically 4-card Stayman

3♣ - weak diamonds, upper end of range, 5-card Stayman, at least one 3-card major (or 8
tricks in clubs) (not 4-card, since opener's 2♦ will not also contain a four card major if upper
end of range (8,9 points)
3♦ - weak diamonds, minimum of range
3♥/♠ - upper end of range, heart/spade control; or 8 tricks in hearts/spades

4NT – quantitative – looking for grand slam

4 ♦ – strong single suited diamonds

2.6 - 2♦ - others (the usual response)

3. Other Considerations

Over intervening bids, treat the same as when opening weak 2♥ or 2♠ (i.e dbl is usually penalty)

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

Over 2♣ - dbl; – 2♦ is 14+ with diamonds, whereas 3♦ is continuing the pre-empt).

Over 2♣ - (pass) – 2♦ – (bid), with the strong balanced hand (20-21), double is best played as take- out, whereas 2NT shows at least a stop in the opposition suit.

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