When the Opposition open 1NT it often difficult to express your hand if you have some points and want to
get in the action.
For this reason many people have invented conventions to show different hands.
As many beginners and improving players will have found out, the magazine Bridge published by
Mr Bridge is a treasure trove of information and good advice. One of their regular contributors
is David Stevenson whose own web site covers all sorts of things to do with Bridge; on there you will
find the description of over a hundred different conventions on this subject.
If you want to find out more go to his web page on this
link Defences to 1NT
But in the mean time here are just half a dozen of the more well known ones.
Remember the opposition have opened 1NT – if you bid you are showing a particular type of hand.
Astro
2 ♣ shows Hearts and either Clubs or Diamonds,
2 ♦ shows Spades and another
suit 2 ♥ 2 ♠
3 ♣ 3 ♦ are all natural showing
one suited hands in bid suit and 2NT shows both Minors.
Aspro
2 ♣ shows Hearts and another
suit. 2 ♦ shows Spades and a
Minor 2 ♥ 2 ♠
3 ♣ 3 ♦ are all natural as
before,and 2NT shows both Minors.
Sharples
2 ♣ shows any hand with 4+ Spades,
2 ♦ shows any hand short in Clubs
. 2 ♥ 2 ♠
3 ♣ 3 ♦ are all natural.
Ripstra
2 ♣ shows Hearts and Spades with better Clubs than Diamonds,
2 ♦ Shows Hearts and Spades with better Diamonds
than Clubs. 2 ♥ 2 ♠
3 ♣3 ♦ are all natural.
Landy
2 ♣ shows both Majors any other suit is natural.
Cansino
2 ♣ shows either both Minors plus one Major or
both Majors and Clubs 2 ♦ shows both Majors 2NT both Minors
and 2 ♥ 2 ♠
3 ♣ 3♦ are natural.
You choose or just bid naturally which I prefer