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Questions:
1. Is this a good bid and if so what is the maths behind it?
2. Is this a bid which is taught, promoted and explained in some ACOL Bridge publication?
3. Is this 'standard' ACOL or a modification of standard ACOL and if so does it need alerting?
TIA
Comments
The English Bridge Union's Standard Modern Acol requires a minimum nine points. Many experts would recommend a minimum ten points as you suggest. My own preference is a minimum 10 points, but with a little flexibility to bid a good 5-card suit with nine points.
The increase in this requirement for a Two Over One bid makes the subsequent bidding more flexible as you can treat certain sequences as forcing to game (e.g. 1H, 2C; 2NT or 1H, 2C; 2S).
"When I first started learning the game 30 years ago it was acceptable respond in a new suit at the two level with eight points".
Interesting. Many years back I had a very good (older) partner who had experienced changing trends in the game (e.g. strong NT to weak NT openings) and was able to explain the rationale behind them.