ACOL + Structural changes = BETA

Beta has  a number of far reaching changes versus ACOL:

• Reversing values are NOT required by Beta ACOL - Preparedness considerations do NOT arise naturally in Beta ACOL
• We strongly recommend 1NT is 12-14HCP as this takes weight off of a Beta 1 opening. Note: the text on this site  is based on this.
  
• We utilise a 1NT wide ranging 12-16 rebid and a forcing Crowhurst  2 inquiry. This has important side effects: It allows Beta to achieve a wider usage of this economical rebid; it also allows us to mildly restrict the opening 1NT by imposing 'minimums' on minor holdings, to attain a higher degree of safety while not at all losing its potency to give opponents difficulties.
• Similarly, Beta's rebid of 2NT 12-14 following a 2-level response, with a flexible 'other minor' inquiry again protects us from 'reversing values' tentacles. 'Other' minor inquiry is used for continuations.  E.g.: 1 - 2 - 2NT - 3!(forcing) - 3 (5 card) - 4 - Also following our RULE that a a new suit at the 3-level is FORCING! Note:  1 - 2 - 2 in Beta would always show a 6 card suit.
• Beta proudly uses strongish 2's in the Majors. This has far reaching and important side effects: It has a clear cut definition of a rigorous 4-5 LTC, it also limits the top end range of 1Major openings to circa 15-17(18). Its distribution is either a 5+ Major and a 4 card side suit OR a 6+ card major. We prefer presence of a shortage: 5-4-3-1 or 6-3-3-1. Minimum 5422 5LTC are perhaps best opened 1Ma. These strong two's are a key necessary  requirement (amongst others) in order to be able to ditch the need for  'reversing'values!
  
• We utilise a 2 Multi  with 3 legs  to  cover weak 2's in Majors &  to  code for a  19-20  Balanced  NT and a 3rd leg to  handle two important 5-5 or better <(=)7LTC hands namely - & - . 
• High level  balanced hands  19+  HCP  hands  have sequences providing 2 point ranges for higher precision.    2 opening for 19-20, 2N opening for 21-22, 2 opening for 23-24 & 25+ and a 2N jump rebid shows 17-18. Each of these may contain a 5 card Major too - unravelled by 3 Puppet inquiry for 4¦5 card Majors and all other Puppet transfers too!... 3->3, 3->3, 3->3N &  4->4, 3N->4 some the previous 2 difficult, also 4->4 & 4->4. 4N: Quantitative - continuations Blackwood responses or final contract or even PASS.
  
• Freely made suit rebids show a 6 card  suit, 5 is allowed  only following an inquiry bid. A rebid by a responder is a strict STOP bid and a 6+ card suit.
• A new suit with jump by opener is a short suit (1)-2-3 cards with usually 2 top honours in a single-suited hand usually (15)16+ DP. There are 2 exceptions 1 or - any - 3C rebid shows a 5-5 or better.
  
• A change of suit is to be considered as forcing - usual NF escape is a NT limited bid but PASS can be used discretionally but partner may become distraught! Also a 2N rebid WITHOUT JUMP promises NO more strength than PREVIOUSLY  bids have shown. 
• Another major step taken in Beta's evolution is to provide a separate path for all hands 5-5 or better. These potentially powerful hands do need a very different style of bidding to exploit them fully. It also increases accuracy in other sequences when it is known that the ditribution CANNOT  be 5-5! Key Consequences of BETA 5-5+ technology is that 2Ma & 2C openings MAY NOT be used on 5-5+ hands!