Benjaminised Acol, better known as ‘Benji Acol’ — and its variant ‘Reverse Benji’ — is one of the most commonly played bidding systems in Britain. So popular, indeed, that it’s easy to forget that ‘Benji’ was a real person — the Scottish international Albert Benjamin, who died nearly 15 years ago at the age of 96. He invented his system — a combination of weak and strong two-level opening bids — in the early 1970s, and had no idea how popular it would become. Not many people can boast that their name is cited thousands of times a week up and down the country. It must have been tempting for Benjamin to exclaim: ‘That’s me!’, but he was a modest chap and never did.
His fellow Scottish international, Ross Harper — a renowned lawyer — partnered him occasionally, and I’ve always remembered a story Ross told me.
Get Britain's best politics newsletters
Register to get The Spectator's insight and opinion straight to your inbox. You can then read two free articles each week.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Comments
Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just $5 for 3 monthsAlready a subscriber? Log in