(408) Slam Bidding: Splinter Bids by Responder

This Week in Bridge

(408) Splinter Bids by Responder 

© AiB                                                                   Robert S. Todd
Level: 5 of 10 (2 of 6)                                      
robert@advinbridge.com

 

 

General

Jacoby 2NT is an excellent convention for exploring slam when partner opens the bidding with 1-Major, but we need even more bidding tools to allow us to explore slam.  The “cousin” of Jacoby 2NT is a Splinter Bid.  Traditional Major suit splinters are made in response to 1-Major opening bids.  Just like Jacoby 2NT, these splinters are artificial bids that show at least 4-card support for Opener’s Major suit and game forcing values, allowing the partnership to explore for slam below the level of game.  A splinter differs from Jacoby 2NT by Responder showing shortness instead of asking for it – allowing Opener to make the decision about the possibility of slam.  Let’s see how this works.

 

 

Splinter Bids in Response to 1-Major Openings

A splinter bid by Responder is a special conventional bid that shows:

  • Minimum game forcing values (usually about 11-14 HCP).

  • 4+card support for Opener’s Major suit.

  • A singleton or void (S/V) in a side suit – (not usually an Ace or King).

 

A splinter in response to Opener’s 1-Major bid is a double jump shift.

 

  • 1♠           2♣          Shift – Natural and Game Forcing (playing 2/1 GF)

  • 1♠           3♣          Jump Shift – Weak, Strong, or Invitational based on partnership agreement.

  • 1♠           4♣          Double Jump Shift – Splinter

 

Here are the splinter responses after a 1-Major Opening bid from partner:

1♠           __?

  • 4♣*        Minimum game forcing values (11-14 HCP), 4+card ♠, S/V in ♣

  • 4♦*        Minimum game forcing values (11-14 HCP), 4+card ♠, S/V in ♦

  • 4♥*        Minimum game forcing values (11-14 HCP), 4+card ♠, S/V in ♥

 

1♥           __?

  • 3♠*        Minimum game forcing values (11-14 HCP), 4+card ♥, S/V in ♠

  • 4♣*        Minimum game forcing values (11-14 HCP), 4+card ♥, S/V in ♣

  • 4♦*        Minimum game forcing values (11-14 HCP), 4+card ♥, S/V in ♦

 

Notice that these bids are limited to about 14 HCP.  This is because a bid that eats up so much bidding space (as does a double jump shift) should be a “picture bid” – precisely defining the hand in both strength and shape and allowing partner to make a good decision about what to do next.

 

Splinters are powerful bids that show most of the features of Responder’s hand in one call.  This leaves Opener well positioned to make a good decision about the possibility of slam.  If the hands fit together well, then slam may make with fewer HCP; if the honors do not fit together well (lots of wasted values), then game may be difficult even with 25+ HCP.

 

 

More Splinters – Splinters by Responder after 1-minor Opening

When partner opens the bidding with 1-minor, then a double jump shift is a splinter bid just as if partner had opened a 1-Major. 

 

These double jump shifts, splinter bids, after a 1♣ opening bid are:

1♣          __?

  • 3♦*        Minimum GF values (11-14 HCP), 6+card ♣ suit, S/V in ♦

  • 3♥*        Minimum GF values (11-14 HCP), 6+card ♣ suit, S/V in ♥

  • 3♠*        Minimum GF values (11-14 HCP), 6+card ♣ suit, S/V in ♠

 

These bids all show a S/V in the suit bid, 11-14 HCP, and a large fit for Opener’s suit – usually a 6+card ♣ suit.  Additionally, this splinter agrees with Opener’s minor suit, showing no interest in a Major suit --denying a 4-card Major.

 

When partner opens the bidding 1♦, then the double jump shift that are splinters are:

1♦           __?

  • 3♥*        Minimum GF values (11-14 HCP), 5+card ♦ suit, S/V in ♥

  • 3♠*        Minimum GF values (11-14 HCP), 5+card ♦ suit, S/V in ♠

 

These splinters agree with Opener’s minor suit, showing no interest in a Major suit and denying a 4-card Major.

 

All these splinter bids show a large minor suit fit and game forcing values.  With a large minor suit fit, 3NT is still a likely final contract – if Opener has lots of values opposite Responder’s shortness.  Thus, these splinters opposite a 1-minor opening happen below 3NT. 

 

There is another splinter bid after a 1♦ opening bid that goes beyond 3NT:

1♦           4♣*

 

This can also be used as a splinter – denying a 4-card Major and showing a fit, values, and shortness.  This is usually something like a 3-3-6-1 shape with no interest in playing 3NT (a rare hand), interested in a Diamond slam.

 

 

Conclusion

Splinter bids are very useful conventions because with one bid they show Responder’s fit, game forcing values, and shortness (S/V) – insisting on game and allowing the Opener to decide about slam at a low level.  After Responder makes a splinter bid, Opener is then in a good position to decide if slam is a good contract, or whether we should just stop in a game.  Learning to make use of splinter bids is one of the best ways to improve your slam bidding.  Try adding these (and their many variations) to your bidding system!