Astro convention

Astro is a contract bridge bidding convention used to intervene over an opponent's one notrump (1NT) opening bid. The name is derived from the initials of the surnames of its inventors - Paul Allinger, Roger Stern and Lawrence Rosler.

Astro employs a 2-level overcall in a minor suit when intervenor holds an unbalanced hand with at least nine cards in two suits, at least one of which is a major; hand strength should be unsuitable for, or not strong enough for a penalty double, typically no more than 15 points. The minor suit overcalls are artificial and carry the following meanings:

  • 2♣ shows at least 5-4 or 4-5 length in hearts and a minor suit, and
  • 2♦ shows at least 5-4 or 4-5 length in spades and another suit.

When playing Astro but not holding the prescribed two-suited hand, the following calls are available over the 1NT opening by the opponents:

  • an overcall of 2♥ or 2♠ is natural showing a single-suited hand
  • Double is for penalties
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