Transcript Current year basis New businesses on or after 6 April 1994

Defence to 1NT
Lesson by Ameeta Shah
Feb 2008
Ameeta Shah Feb 2008, Ver 1.00
1
Teaser Questions
• What do you need to overcall in the 2nd
seat after a 1NT opening?
• How many points?
• How many cards?
• Do you know what your convention card
states about this case?
• Does your partner have the same
understanding ? Sure ????
• Answer :- Several methods (Natural,
ASTRO, ASPRO, ASPTRO, Landy….)
Ameeta Shah Feb 2008, Ver 1.00
2
Points for Defence of 1NT
• Defence to 1NT needs a pts or a good
distribution else do NOT overcall
• Overcall Option 1
– 15 or more pts  Double
• Overcall Option 2 - Two suited hand
– 5Major–4 minor, 4 minor-5 Major, 5 Major-5
Major
– ASPTRO convention
• Overcall Option 3
– 13 or less pts and not two suited hand PASS
Ameeta Shah Feb 2008, Ver 1.00
3
ASPTRO Convention
The origin of ASPTRO conventional is unknown.
Combination of two conventions
• ASPRO +ASTRO = ASPTRO.
• Opponents open 1NT. Basic Defence:-
• 2  = hearts and another suit
• 2  = spades and another suit
• The two-suiter must be at least 5-4. The major
promised is known as the anchor suit.
• All Artificial bids are to be ALERTED by partner
Ameeta Shah Feb 2008, Ver 1.00
4
2 Suited hands after 1NT opening by
North
EAST (hand 1) EAST (hand 2) EAST (hand 3)
Axx
AQxxx
xxx
AJxxx
AQxx
xx
Axx
AQxxx
Kxxx
x
KJxx
xx
Hand 2
E – 14 HCP
Bid 2D –
anchor 
Hand 3 (non –vul)
E – 9 HCP
Bid 2C –
anchor 
Hand 1
E – 15 HCP
Bid 2C –
anchor 
Ameeta Shah Feb 2008, Ver 1.00
5
ASPTRO (overcall) Options
• 2 Clubs –at least 4 card heart + any other
suit
– (eg 5-4, 5-4, 4-5 but not 5-4)
– 13 + pts if vulnerable
– 10 + pts if non-vulnerable
• 2 Diamonds –at least 4 card spade + any
other suit
– (eg 5-4, 5-4, 4-5 but not 4-5)
– 13 + pts if Vulnerable
– 10 + pts if non-Vulnerable
Ameeta Shah Feb 2008, Ver 1.00
6
ASPTRO (overcall) Options
• 5-4 Majors
– Anchor suit is always the 4 card suit
• 5-5 Majors
– Anchor suit is always the lower card suit (ie )
• 2 Hearts or 2 Spades
–
–
at least 6 card suit (aka 2 weak opening)
13 + pts if vulnerable or 10 + pts if non-vulnerable
• 2NT – Unusual NT
–
–
5-5 in minors
13 + pts if vulnerable or 10 + pts if non-vulnerable
• 3 Clubs or 3 Diamonds
– at least 6 card suit
– 13 + pts if vulnerable or 10 + pts if non-vulnerable
Ameeta Shah Feb 2008, Ver 1.00
7
Responses to Partners 2  ASPTRO
• 2
– No three card support in hearts
• 2
– at least 3 card of Hearts, weak hand
• 2  /3 /3
– 11+ pts, no heart support, 4 cards in the
bid suit
• 2NT
– 11 or 12 pts, Balanced Hand
Ameeta Shah Feb 2008, Ver 1.00
8
Responses to Partners 2 ASPTRO
• 2
– No three card support in spades
• 2
– at least 3 card of spades, weak hand
• 3 /3/ 3
– 11+ pts, no spade support, 4 cards in
the bid suit
• 2NT
– 11 or 12 pts, Balanced Hand
Ameeta Shah Feb 2008, Ver 1.00
9
Examples of
Responses to Partners 2  ASPTRO
West (hand 1) West (hand 2)
xxx
xxx
West (hand 3)
Qxx
xx
Qxxx
x
Qx
Kxxx
Axxxx
Axxxx
Qxx
Hand 1
W-6 HCP, 2 
E-Bid 5 carder
Suit
(eg 2 , 2 , 3 
and pass if 5
carder )
Ameeta Shah Feb 2008, Ver 1.00
Hand 2
W-6 HCP, 2 
E- Pass since
west has shown
weak hand
10
AJxx
Hand 3
W-12 HCP, 2 
Eif 5  cards 
4S
or bid 5 cards
Suit
Examples of
Responses to Partners 2  ASPTRO
West (hand 4) West (hand 5)
AJxx
AJxx
West (hand 6)
xx
Qxx
Qxxx
xx
x
Axxxx
Axxx
Axx
Qxx
Hand 4
W-11 HCP, 2 NT
Promises 4 cards
in .
Ameeta Shah Feb 2008, Ver 1.00
Hand 5
W-11 HCP, 3
Inviting to game
E- Pass or 4 
11
Kxxx
Hand 6
W-9 HCP, 2 
No heart support
E- Shows 5 cards