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    Pre-emptive bids are designed to make life difficult
   for the opponents. By employing pre-emptive 2-
     bids in the   major suits players are able to pre-
     empt far more often. No efficiency is lost because
     the strong hands can all be described by sequences
     starting with 2♣ or 2♦, a method that was originally
     the brainchild of the Scottish international Albert
     Benjamin.
This booklet describes a straightforward way of
     incorporating weak 2-bids into the familiaar Acol
    system. It deals with the basic methods, interference
    by the opponents and countermeasures by the
    opening side. Each page of text is accompanied by
    examples; The reasoning behind the recommended
    approach is explained and 24 practice deals are
    included.
   The author is an experienced teacher, player and
    writer who has helped many players to convert to
    this popular treatment of 2-bids.

£5 net ISBN 0 9522280 3 3

WEAK 2-BIDS
FOR
ACOL PLAYERS

♥

David Griffiths

     WEAK 2 BIDS WITH ACOL

    The basic method is to use weak 2-bids in the major
     suits as pre-emptive weapons, whilst 2♣ and 2♦ are
     artificial bids, reserved for the strong hands.

   The main features are:
   2♣ - a strong hand of 8-8¹/2 playing tricks based on
       any suit (like an Acol 2♦/♥/♠) or a balanced hand
       of 23-24 high card points (hcp)
   2♦ - a game-forcing hand of 9+ playing tricks based
         on any suit (like an Acol 2♣) or a balanced hand
          of 25+ hcp.
     2♥   - a pre-emptive hand (6-10 hcp, 6-card suit)
     2♠   - a pre-emptive hand (6-10 hcp, 6-card suit)
     2NT- a balanced hand of 20-22 hcp, like an Acol
              2NT. (The bid originally showed 19-20 hcp)

     (For the shapely hands 2♣ openers are typically 4
     losers, 2♦ are 3 or fewer and 2♥/♠are 7-8).

     Many of the sequences that arise need good part-
     nership understanding, particularly when the
     opponents intervene.
     Various treatments of weak 2-bids exist but the
     ones recommended here are effective and not too
     hard to remember.
                                      2

♠ A Q 7 2 ♥ K 3 ♦ A K 9 7 ♣ K Q 8 Open 2NT	♠ A Q 7 2 ♥ K 3 ♦ A K Q 4 ♣ K Q 8 Open 2♣, rebid in NT
♠ A 7 ♥ A Q 2 ♦ 9 4 ♣ A K Q J 7 3 Open 2♣, rebid in ♣	♠ A 7 ♥ A K Q J 7 3 ♦ A Q 2 ♣ 9 4 Open 2♣, rebid in ♥
♠ A K 7 2 ♥ A J ♦ A K Q 4 ♣ K Q 8 Open 2♦, rebid in NT	♠ K 7 ♥ A K Q J 7 3 ♦ A K Q ♣ 9 4 Open 2♦, rebid in ♥
♠ Q 7 ♥ K Q 10 9 6 4 ♦ 9 7 5 ♣ 10 3 Open 2♥ (pre-empt)	♠ A J 10 8 7 3 ♥ Q J 6 ♦ 8 5 ♣ 9 6 Open 2♠ (pre-empt) 3

The mock-ups above (colours may not be true) give an impression of the Weak 2-Bids for Acol Players booklet. The actual page size is A6. There are 57 pages. Price £5. ISBN 0 9522280 3 3.