Similar to the Drury convention, SNAP is intended to keep the contract at a low level when it is possible that partner has opened with a light or minimum hand in third or fourth seat. While a 1NT response would typically show 6-9 (or 6-10) high card points (HCP) in most Standard American partnership agreements, the SNAP 1NT response instead shows a relatively balanced hand with 9-12 (or 10-12) HCP and no five-card major that could have been bid at the one-level.[citation needed]
When using SNAP, a 2NT response shows a balanced limit jump raise in opener's suit.[citation needed]
Responding hands containing 6-8 points are problematic, especially if partner opens in spades.[3] Some 6 point hands are passed and some 8 point hands are bid at the two-level.[citation needed]
SNAP gives an advantage in a partscore deal and is therefore more suited to competitive bidding in Matchpoint scoring.[4] The risk of obliging a Pass or overbid holding 6-8 points deters some players from adopting the convention[4] while others favor it owing to the frequency of occurrence.[2]
