ASTRO CONVENTION

This convention uses the bid of a Minor suit overcall after a strong 1 No Trump opening of 15-18 high card points to show a particular distributional holding. The terminology comes from the names of the bridge players, who devised the convention: Allinger-STern-ROsler. The schematic for the entire convention is shown below:

The Astro bidder promises nine cards in two suits. The high card points should be mainly in the two suits and should be stronger if vulnerable. The high card points are a matter of partnership agreement, although it is imperative that the held values be mainly in the two suits indicated. The general guideline is that the Astro bidder hold at least two of the top five honors.

The Astro bid can be made as a direct overcall or in the pass out seat.

The partner of the Astro Bidder has several options.

1. The partner can bid two of the specified Major, showing at least three card support and no game ambition.

Example One
East
1 No Trump
South
2
West
pass
North
2

Example Two
East
1 No Trump
South
2
West
pass
North
2

2. The partner can bid three of the specified Major, which becomes an invitation.

Example One
East
1 No Trump
South
2
West
pass
North
3

Example Two
East
1 No Trump
South
2
West
pass
North
3

3. The partner can bid four of the specified Major, which is a natural bid.

Example One
East
1 No Trump
South
2
West
pass
North
4

Example Two
East
1 No Trump
South
2
West
pass
North
4

4. The partner can pass indicating a weak hand and a long suit in the Minor suit bid. This can be done with a 5-card suit if that is the partnership understanding, but a 6-card suit if preferred.

Example One
East
1 No Trump
South
2
West
pass
North
pass with C: J9843 for example

Example Two
East
1 No Trump
South
2
West
pass
North
pass with D: J9843 for example

5. The partner can bid two of a neutral suit, specifically the next higher ranking suit above the Astro bid, which is a negative action, denying the ability to make any other response. The partner shows less than three card support in the specified Major and no length in any Minor suit.

6. The partner can bid 2 No Trump, which is artificial and forcing, and which shows some support for the specified Major, suggesting game prospects but does not guarantee a further bid.

7. The partner can bid a new suit as a takeout or jump. The jump can also include the neutral suit. Both cases show a six card or longer suit.

Example One
East
1 No Trump
South
2
West
pass
North
2

Example Two
East
1 No Trump
South
2
West
pass
North
2

After a neutral bid, the Astro bidder has several options.

1. He could pass with five cards in the neutral suit. Remember, the Astro bidder shows nine cards when he bids 2 Clubs in Hearts and an unspecified Minor, which could be the neutral suit.

2. He could show five cards in the specified Major by bidding it.

3. He could bid his second suit, the unspecified Minor, at the level of three, strongly suggesting a six-card suit and more strength in high card points and distribution.

There have been several variations to the Astro convention, and you can click on the following links to discover these modifications. If any variation suits you and your partner better, please include them in your partnership agreement.

Modified Astro A variation of the Astro convention

Pinpoint Astro A variation of the Astro convention

Astro Cuebid An invention to indicate a two-suited holding after an opponent opens the auction on the one level with a suit bid

If you wish to include this feature, or any other feature, of the game of bridge in your partnership agreement, then please make certain that the concept is understood by both partners. Be aware whether or not the feature is alertable or not and whether an announcement should or must be made. Check with the governing body and/or the bridge district and/or the bridge unit prior to the game to establish the guidelines applied. Please include the particular feature on your convention card in order that your opponents are also aware of this feature during the bidding process, since this information must be made known to them according to the Laws of Duplicate Contract Bridge. We do not always include the procedure regarding Alerts and/or Announcements, since these regulations are changed and revised during time by the governing body. It is our intention only to present the information as concisely and as accurately as possible.