www.ibridge.co-Play with a World Champion as coach and partner
61DF - Responder's splinter -
level 2 ★
Responder's splinter
It's a bid from the Responder which can only be used on P's opening bid in one of the majors. This bid conveys 3 messages to P : fit in the major, strength to go at least to game and a void or singleton in the suit bid.
This convention uses a double jump bid to announce the short suit.
exclusively on an opening major bid
with a minimum of 11HCP
Short suit is bid with a double jump
Splinter can also be used by the Opener (see notes level 3)
A
K
7
5
4
3
Q
5
A
7
5
3
A
S
W
N
E
1
Pass
4
Q
J
10
9
K
J
7
4
K
J
6
5
3
Problem E98151 Responder's Splinter bid which shows a short ♣ suit (♠ fit and 11HCP)
Q
4
3
A
Q
8
5
4
10
9
A
Q
10
S
W
N
E
1
Pass
3
9
K
J
10
7
K
Q
J
4
K
J
6
5
Problem E4914 Showing a short ♠ suit and a ♥ fit.
Splinter is only used when there's no overcall from Opps. You need to have
a minimum strength of 11HCP
no strong suitbiddable
a fit of at least 4 cards in Opener's major
and a short suitvoid or singleton
These 4 conditions must be met
Needless to say, this bid is game forcing! Be careful! After an overcall, this jump is no longer a splinter.
Q
J
10
9
6
2
K
J
4
J
10
6
5
S
W
N
E
1
Pass
4
Pass
4
Pass
4
Pass
4NT
Pass
5
Pass
6
A
K
7
5
4
3
Q
5
A
7
5
3
A
Problem E96151 Responder's splinter showing short ♣ (♠ fit and 11HCP)
Q
4
3
A
Q
8
5
4
10
9
A
Q
10
S
W
N
E
1
Pass
3
9
K
J
10
7
K
Q
J
4
K
J
6
5
Problem E4914 Showing short ♠ and a ♥ fit
Splinter is only used when there's no overcall from Opps.
After an overcall in a suituse a cue-bid jump in the overcalled suit to show a Splinter equivalent.
After an intervention of X , a cue-bid jump in one of the suits overcalled is also the equivalent of a splinter
S
W
N
E
1
2
4
7
6
2
K
10
7
4
A
K
10
9
7
4
Problem E1475 Noticeable cue-bid (equivalent of a Splinter) in Opp's suit - enormous fit, singleton ♥ or even better as in this case : a void.
After an overcall
a jump bid in another suit becomes "meet-me" bid showing:
5 very nice cards (not a short suit!)
a 4 card fit in the major
Q
J
4
Q
J
6
5
2
A
K
10
8
4
S
W
N
E
1
1
4
2
K
10
9
7
J
9
7
A
K
Q
10
8
Problem E4977 Example of a "meet-me" bid after an overcall, showing a nice 5-carder (and not a short suit)