Bidding Conventions >
Pinpoint Astro
Pinpoint Astro is a convention for use after the opponents open 1NT. It is a refinement of the
Astro convention. It is also nearly identical to
Brozel, except that Pinpoint Astro uses a double for penalty instead of showing a single-suited hand.
After the opponents have opened 1NT:
| Double | For penalties. See also: Gates Double.
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2 | Shows clubs and hearts (at least 5-4 shape). Partner can pass with club tolerance, or correct to 2 with longer hearts.
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2 | Shows diamonds and hearts (at least 5-4).
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2 | Shows hearts and spades (at least 5-4).
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2 | Shows spades and a minor (at least 5-4). Partner can pass with spade tolerance, or bid 2NT to ask for the minor suit.
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| 2NT | Shows clubs and diamonds (at least 5-4, usually 5-5 or better). Partner should take his preference by replying 3 or 3 .
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Note that partner should always take the cheapest preference when holding equal length in the two advertised suits. For example, after hearing a 2NT overcall, partner should bid
3 with 3-3 shape in the minors.
If partner is lucky enough to hold game-invitational values or better, then he should raise or jump-bid any advertised suit.
3-Suited Hands
Pinpoint Astro also includes bids to show 3-suited hands, e.g. 4441 or 5440 shape (rare). A jump overcall at the 3-level is artificial and indicates shortness in that suit:
| 3 | Shows a 3-suiter short in clubs.
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| 2 | Shows a 3-suiter short in diamonds.
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| 2 | Shows a 3-suiter short in hearts.
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| 2 | Shows a 3-suiter short in spades. |
Partner is expected to take a preference for whichever suit he likes most. Since he may be forced to take a preference at the 4-level, these overcalls should promise very good hands (relative to the
HCP range of the opponents' 1NT).
