Defence to 1 NT Lesson by Ameeta Shah

Defence to 1 NT Lesson by Ameeta Shah Feb 2008, Ver 1. 00 1

Teaser Questions • What do you need to overcall in the 2 nd seat after a 1 NT 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, ASPTRO, Landy…. ) Ameeta Shah Feb 2008, Ver 1. 00 2

Points for Defence of 1 NT • Defence to 1 NT 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 – 5 Major– 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 1 NT. 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 1 NT opening by North EAST (hand 1) EAST (hand 2) EAST (hand 3) Axx AQxxx AJxxx AQxx xx Axx AQxxx Kxxx x KJxx xx Hand 2 E – 14 HCP Bid 2 D – anchor Hand 3 (non –vul) E – 9 HCP Bid 2 C – anchor Hand 1 E – 15 HCP Bid 2 C – 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 , 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 , 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 • 2 NT – 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 • 2 NT – 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 • 2 NT – 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 West (hand 3) AJxx Qxxx x Qx Kxxx Axxxx Qxx Hand 1 W-6 HCP, 2 E-Bid 5 carder Suit (eg 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 Hand 3 W-12 HCP, 2 Eif 5 cards 4 S or bid 5 cards Suit

Examples of Responses to Partners 2 ASPTRO West (hand 4) West (hand 5) AJxx West (hand 6) Kxxx xx Qxxx xx x Axxxx 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 Hand 6 W-9 HCP, 2 No heart support E- Shows 5 cards