[661_Pete]

We played the hand below on BCL, sitting N-S at game all, pairs MPs.

At our table E-W reached a plausible if somewhat optimistic 3♥, going 3 down. A reasonable result for us, I thought, possibly near a 'top' seeing as there was no game for N-S. Nothing interesting to see, move along please!

Not so at another table. Here is the deal and the bidding at that other table:

---

Both East and West's first bids were alerted, but with no explanation. My guess is, West was bidding an acol weak 2, which East interpreted as multi, strong 2, or whatever. Or East may have simply lost the plot.

Anyway, West appears to have been able only to cash their 4 top winners, going 8 down. Of course, with only one entry to hand, they couldn't set up the diamonds.

"-8"s don't come my way very often! I know I shouldn't laugh, but........

[gordontd]

I expect East was playing Benji.

[FelicityR]

gordontd, on 2020-April-11, 05:34, said:

I expect East was playing Benji.

Benji the Dog?

[Cyberyeti]

gordontd, on 2020-April-11, 05:34, said:

I expect East was playing Benji.

Most likely, you wouldn't respond 2♥ to a multi and most wouldn't bid 3♥ over an acol 2 in diamonds and a rebid of the suit

[msjennifer]

SIRS
Looks like they already had more than ONE FOR THE ROAD.

[Cyberyeti]

msjennifer, on 2020-April-12, 05:18, said:

SIRS
Looks like they already had more than ONE FOR THE ROAD.

Not really, E thought partner had something much closer to Kxx, x, KQJ10xxx, AK and 2♦ was a strong bid

[Xgasman]

Reasonable auction by East after a "Benji" 2♢ : probably worried about missing 7!
Albert Benjamin used to joke that he invented his convention so that opponents could play it against him. Maybe had this in mind!