diff --git a/src/weapon.c b/src/weapon.c
index b400ac91c..708e2bc3a 100644
--- a/src/weapon.c
+++ b/src/weapon.c
@@ -954,14 +954,19 @@ abon(void)
 
     if (Upolyd)
         return (adj_lev(&mons[u.umonnum]) - 3);
+
+    /* this used to be '<= 18/50' for bonus of 1 but got changed to '< 18/50'
+       so that '18/50' gives a bonus of 2; gnome and orc player characters
+       have max Str of 18/50 and giving an extra bonus at that break point
+       provides an incentive for them to max out that characteristic */
     if (str < 6)
         sbon = -2;
     else if (str < 8)
         sbon = -1;
     else if (str < 17)
         sbon = 0;
-    else if (str <= STR18(50))
-        sbon = 1; /* up to 18/50 */
+    else if (str < STR18(50))
+        sbon = 1; /* up to 18/49 */
     else if (str < STR18(100))
         sbon = 2;
     else