M J Bridge
♦
♠
♥
♣
Bidding
Astro
This is the original version of this group of conventions as introduced by Paul Allinger, Roger Stern and Larry Rosler (hence the name) at some point before 1962.
In this method an overcall of:-
2♣ promises 5-
2♦ promises 5-
These would be played alongside a strong double (say 16+), natural bids in the majors (although there is some variation in the precise requirements for a natural bid), and 2NT as the unusual no trump promising both minors.
In response to either 2♣ or 2♦ advancer will usually bid the anchor suit (the major suit promised by the overcall) with at least three-
Normally your bid will be limited by your failure to double, although you might on occasion use this convention on a particularly shapely stronger hand which seems more suited to offence than defence.
At the lower end of the range a number of factors will come into play. Ten points would be a typical lower limit, but by all means stretch this down to eight -
♠
♥
♦
♣
T 6
A K 7 4
8 5
Q T 6 3 2
The same hand as above with the minor suits interchanged.
Suit quality is not anything special, and you would have to go to the three-
Pass, although you might just consider 2♣ at favourable vulnerability.
♠
♥
♦
♣
A K 9 7 4
Q 4
K Q T 6 3
6
RHO opened 1NT.
Bid 2♦ promising at 5-
If partner bids 2♥ you will rebid 2♠ promising a five-
♠
♥
♦
♣
A 4
K 5
K Q T 9 6 4
Q 8 2
RHO opened 1NT.
Bid 3♦.
Replace a small card with ♦J and you would double with good values and an excellent attacking lead.
Note that you cannot bid 2♦. It is restricted to its agreed conventional meaning.
♠
♥
♦
♣
T 6
A K 7 4
Q T 6 3 2
8 5
RHO opened 1NT.
Bid 2♣ promising 5-
You will pass a response of either 2♦ or 2♥.
My assessment
I have not gone into all the nuances relating to this convention because it has one specific shortcoming which is easily overcome by using one of the variant conventions Aspro or Asptro.
And that shortcoming is its inability to distinguish between 5-
If you play most of your bridge against a weak no trump, and you have a taste for a conventional route, then my recommendation is that you should adopt Asptro in preference to either Astro or Aspro.
Landy is a straightforward and popular alternative but is not quite as versatile.
Alternatively, when facing a strong no trump, you might prefer to play D.O.N.T..
And if your taste is for something a little more advanced and all-
Intermediate and above
Context -
This page last revised 9th Apr 2019
Opener |
Overcaller |
Responder |
Advancer |
Opener's rebid |
Overcaller's rebid and beyond |
Responder's rebid and beyond |
The continuing auction |