1. Ameeta Shah Feb 2008, Ver 1.001 Defence to 1NT Lesson by Ameeta Shah Feb 2008

2. Ameeta Shah Feb 2008, Ver 1.002 Teaser Questions What do you need to overcall in the 2 nd 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….)

3. Ameeta Shah Feb 2008, Ver 1.003 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

4. Ameeta Shah Feb 2008, Ver 1.004 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

5. Ameeta Shah Feb 2008, Ver 1.005 2 Suited hands after 1NT opening by North EAST (hand 1)EAST (hand 2)EAST (hand 3)  Axx  AQxxx  xxx AJxxx xx AQxxx  AQxx  Axx  Kxxx xx  KJxx  xx Hand 1 E – 15 HCP Bid 2C – anchor Hand 2 E – 14 HCP Bid 2D – anchor  Hand 3 (non –vul) E – 9 HCP Bid 2C – anchor

6. Ameeta Shah Feb 2008, Ver 1.006 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

7. Ameeta Shah Feb 2008, Ver 1.007 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

8. Ameeta Shah Feb 2008, Ver 1.008 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

9. Ameeta Shah Feb 2008, Ver 1.009 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

10. Ameeta Shah Feb 2008, Ver 1.0010 Examples of Responses to Partners 2  ASPTRO West (hand 1)West (hand 2)West (hand 3)  xxx  AJxx Qxx Qxxx Qx  xx xx  Kxxx  Axxxx  Qxx Hand 1 W-6 HCP, 2  E-Bid 5 carder Suit (eg 2, 2 , 3  and pass if 5 carder  ) Hand 2 W-6 HCP, 2 E- Pass since west has shown weak hand Hand 3 W-12 HCP, 2  E- if 5  cards  4S or bid 5 cards Suit

11. Ameeta Shah Feb 2008, Ver 1.0011 Examples of Responses to Partners 2  ASPTRO West (hand 4)West (hand 5)West (hand 6)  AJxx  Kxxx xx Qxxx x  Qxx  xx  Axxxx  Axxx  Axx  Qxx Hand 4 W-11 HCP, 2 NT Promises 4 cards in . Hand 5 W-11 HCP, 3 Inviting to game E- Pass or 4 Hand 6 W-9 HCP, 2  No heart support E- Shows 5 cards