[Liversidge]

We play Benji Acol. The standard for a 2♣ opening is something like 8-9 playing tricks and good defensive values, typically 18+ HCP, or 23 HCP balanced.

The following hand has 9 playing tricks but only 12 HCP. If I open 1♣ partner might pass and we could miss game in clubs if he holds something like an Ace, a club and a void in diamonds or hearts.

♣AK9765432 ♦J ♥A42 ♠

I have read somewhere that the danger with a 2♣opening is that partner won't know my strength and whether a slam might be on. And if our opponents enter the fray and bid up to 5♠ partner might double thinking I have a much stronger hand.

Is there a way round this or do I just accept that very (very) occasionally I might be left in 1♣

[ahydra]

With shortage in both majors you'd have to be quite unlucky to get left in 1C. But there is the other issue of, how are you going to show this hand if you open 1C? Rebid 5C, and go off when partner has two pointy kings and out (with 3NT cold)? Rebid 3C, which again overstates strength? Rebid 3NT and have the opps run 5 tricks off the top? It's not an easy hand.

To be honest I think 2C then 3C (then possibly 4C) is probably the clearest way to show this. You didn't open 2D so partner shouldn't expect masses of strength.

ahydra

[Liversidge]

ahydra, on 2014-March-20, 06:11, said:

To be honest I think 2C then 3C (then possibly 4C) is probably the clearest way to show this. You didn't open 2D so partner shouldn't expect masses of strength.

If so, would it be legal?

[Cyberyeti]

Liversidge, on 2014-March-20, 08:38, said:

If so, would it be legal?

I believe so, you appear to have 8 clear cut tricks and the strength associated with an opening 1 bid.

[Vampyr]

Liversidge, on 2014-March-20, 08:38, said:

If so, would it be legal?

I think that this hand would be OK for whichever bid (2♣ or 2♦) you use for Acol twos, ie not your strongest bid. But you can agree to put hands like this into your strongest bid too, as long as you disclose it properly.

[helene_t]

Cyberyeti, on 2014-March-20, 09:22, said:

I believe so, you appear to have 8 clear cut tricks and the strength associated with an opening 1 bid.

No, eight cards to AK are only six tricks because you have to assume a void by partner and the second most favorable split (i.e. 4-1), so you have two losers in the suit.

So this hand cannot by agreement be opened with an artificial "strong" 2♣ or 2♦.

[gordontd]

helene_t, on 2014-March-20, 10:28, said:

No, eight cards to AK are only six tricks because you have to assume a void by partner and the second most favorable split (i.e. 4-1), so you have two losers in the suit.

He has nine cards.

[helene_t]

Lol sorry

[Zelandakh]

Liversidge, on 2014-March-20, 08:38, said:

If so, would it be legal?

Legality depends on where you play so it is always a good idea to include this information. In England (and Wales) this would be legal (with proper disclosure) because it satisfies what is called the Extended Rule of 25. That rule is quite complicated (and not only for beginners!) so probably best not to get into it here.

[fromageGB]

Legal even if you forget about the rule of 25 (if you knew it !), because you have enough points to open at the 1-level, and you have a clear 9 tricks. 8 would have been enough.

[Bad_Wolf]

2c benji will be legal, but I wouldn't do it. I would be surprised if opening 5 or 6 clubs wasn't the winning action at the table.