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Detail specifications 61DG - Level 3

The opener's splinter

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The opener's splinter
This convention is used by the opener after the responder has bid a major suit with no overcalls. This splinter isn't possible after an overcall.
The opener's splinter means giving his short suit with a double jump.
This double jump gives three indications to his Partner:
  • - a good fit in the responder's major,
  • - enough strength to hope for slam (this will depend on the strength shown by the responder)
  • a void or singleton in the called suit.

SWNE
1
Pass
1
Pass
3
4
A
Q
10
9
A
9
4
A
K
J
9
8
Problème E1208
A beautiful splinter!
 
SWNE
1
Pass
1
Pass
4
A
Q
10
9
A
Q
10
9
4
A
K
9
10
Problème E91208
With a fit in the responder's major, a singleton diamond and a third-zone hand, you must use the splinter. It lets the Partner know that you are hoping for slam.
 
 
The splinter requires:
  • - enough power to hope for slam. This will depend on the strength shown by the responder.
    • After a one level response, the opener needs a third-zone hand.
    • After a 2/1 response, a second-zone hand is enough.
  • - a four-card fit in the responder's major with at least one high honor.
  • a void or singleton. The singleton should not be an ace or king.

These three conditions must be fulfilled and the splinter is, of course, game forcing!
SWNE
1
Pass
2
Pass
4
A
K
J
4
3
K
Q
10
9
A
9
4
8
Problème E5160
The minimum strength of the opener's hand dépends on the strength of the responder. Here the responder bids 2/1 showing a hand of 11HCP or more. The opener uses the splinter with only 17HCP.
 
Q
J
10
9
6
2
K
J
4
J
10
6
5
SWNE
1
Pass
1
Pass
4
Pass
4
Pass
4NT
Pass
5
Pass
6
A
K
7
5
A
7
5
K
J
7
5
3
A
Problème E5159
4 diamonds.After a response 1/1, the opener needs a third-zone hand to show he's thinking of a slam by using a splinter.
 
 
The following bids:
The responder now has all the information he needs.
  • With a strong hand, he continues to look for slam by beginning the controls or with a Blackwood.With a minimum hand, he stops at game.
A
J
4
A
9
6
5
8
A
K
Q
6
5
SWNE
1
Pass
1
Pass
4
Pass
4NT
Pass
5
Pass
6
Pass
Pass
Pass
K
Q
10
K
J
10
7
4
2
5
4
3
3
Problème E9442
After the opener's splinter, the responder, who has all the controls, continues with a Blackwood.
 
SWNE
1
Pass
1
Pass
4
Pass
4
K
8
6
2
Q
8
3
2
K
Q
J
4
7
Problem E9409
The responder who is minimum refuses the slam proposal.
 
 
Le splinter de l'ouvreur
Example
SWNE
1
Pass
1
Pass
3
10
7
4
3
A
K
Q
8
5
A
K
Q
7
Problem E20102
4 CONo Splinter with this 4 little