[kingtoncs]

We play Benji
2C exactly 19 HCP - response 2D relay bid, can use staymen and transfer if the rebid by opener is 2NT
2NT 20-21
2D 23+ HCP. But what is the response? I thought use 2H as a relay with less that 8HCP and 2NT with 9+ HCP.
Any views on that?

[mw64ahw]

kingtoncs, on 2026-April-04, 00:00, said:

We play Benji
2C exactly 19 HCP - response 2D relay bid, can use staymen and transfer if the rebid by opener is 2NT
2NT 20-21
2D 23+ HCP. But what is the response? I thought use 2H as a relay with less that 8HCP and 2NT with 9+ HCP.
Any views on that?

Over 2♦ 2♥ is typically the default bid and 2N with a balanced 8+ hcp. I'd bid 2♠ with 5 and other suits with 6 given the 3-level, plus 8+hcp.
2♣ 8 playing tricks versus 2♦ 9+ playing tricks is the guide I see being quoted.
Personally, I find having two strong bids inefficient given the frequency they occur.

[pescetom]

mw64ahw, on 2026-April-04, 01:03, said:

Personally, I find having two strong bids inefficient given the frequency they occur.

I would be even less diplomatic.

[blackshoe]

mw64ahw, on 2026-April-04, 01:03, said:

Personally, I find having two strong bids inefficient given the frequency they occur.

pescetom, on 2026-April-04, 14:52, said:

I would be even less diplomatic.

Romex has four strong bids: 1NT (Art, F), 2♣ (Art, GF unless 2NT rebid, not primary diamonds), 2♦ (art, F, if unbalanced primary diamonds), 2NT (GF, balanced, 25-26).

[P_Marlowe]

kingtoncs, on 2026-April-04, 00:00, said:

We play Benji
2C exactly 19 HCP - response 2D relay bid, can use staymen and transfer if the rebid by opener is 2NT
2NT 20-21
2D 23+ HCP. But what is the response? I thought use 2H as a relay with less that 8HCP and 2NT with 9+ HCP.
Any views on that?

I think your 2C is too narrowly defined.
I think it is ok to play 2C as 19/20, 2NT as 21/22 and 2D as 23+ with regards to bal. hand.
Obv. there are other solutions ... Birth Right / Kokish, that but those ranges all in a 2C opening and use
various steps to show the ranges.
https://www.larryco....es/kokish-relay

In case you wonder: I dont play Kokish, it is not worth it for us, at least at the moment, there are other areas.

If you want to keep it fairly simple, and dont have a better usage with regards to 2D, than Benji is fine.

With regards to response structure: I think it would be good to reserve 2NT as openers rebid, enabling you to
use your 2NT structure.
Also a positive response should create a force up to 4NT, ..., I guess 9+ is ok, ... you could go lower make it
7+ (30HCP should be enough to play 4NT or a suit contract on the 5 level, take your pick, your comfort level).
This means, 2H should be less than the cut off, 2S should promise at least the cut off and force at least to 4NT.

The downside is wrong sidening the major suit contracts, ...