SPLINTER BIDS
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The Splinter bid is always a suit bid, never a bid in No Trump. That, in essence, is the Splinter bid. This bid is Alertable. The decision to employ this particular designation remains unknown. The concept or conventional method was developed independently by Mr. David Cliff in 1963, who was the first to publish an article relating to this concept, and by Dorothy Hayden, presently Dorothy Hayden Truscott.
The Splinter bid convention has been altered, varied, extended and modified. Be certain that the variation used is agreed upon by both partners before application. We have attempted to present the Splinter bid as devised in its original version.
Read also about Mini-Splinter Bids
The key to bidding most suit slams that are short in point count is distribution.
After the last bid of his partner, the other partner discovers he has:
a good fit
x
4-card support in the Majors
5-card support in the Minors
xplus a singleton or void
x
With a Singleton 10-13HCPs
With a Void 9-12HCPs
xslam interestx
There should be a way to convey this message below the slam level. The answer is to use Splinter bids (Jumps) to show partner your short suit so that he can evaluate the combined hands for slam purposes.
xSplinter Bids can be made by either the opener or responder.x
In order to make a Splinter bid, the opener jumps one level higher than a jump shift or makes a Jump Reverse, and, of course, the responder does likewise.
We should back-track a little to the First Bid of responder and remember the following basic guideline:
Raise the suit of partner to game with fewer than 10HCPs, but with excellent support AND excellent distribution.x
xBe careful with this guideline. It is generally used when your team is vulnerable and/or there has been an intervening bid.
You are also telling your partner all he needs to know about your hand.
The reasoning behind this Basic Guideline for the First Rebid by the Responder is the same logic behind the Splinter bid.
However, instead of bidding just game with good distribution, the Splinter bid aims for slam in the last-named suit.
The Splinter Bids by the Opener:
Example 1:
Opener Responder
2 AK54 KQ1087 A54
KQ54 Q8763 32 J10 1 1 3 Analysis:
The opener jumps one level higher than a regular Reverse bid, which would be two Spades, to show the singleton Spade with 4-card heart support and game values. Responder, with wasted spade values, is not interested, and bids 4 Hearts.Example 2:
Opener Responder
A654 2 KQ10 AKJ76
K109732 A874 2 54 1 1 3 4 Analysis:
The opener uses the Splinter bid and bids 3 Hearts, which is also known as a Jump Reverse, to show his Singleton or Void in Hearts and slam interest, and also the Fit in Spades.The responder cuebids Hearts to show slam interest. If the responder had no interest in slam, he would simply bid 4 Spades.
The opener is not quite sure about how to proceed, and decides to let responder take the lead, which is by no means a Final Contract bid, and therefore, bids game in Spades, 4 Spades.
The responder takes the initiative and bids 4 No Trump, asking for Aces.
The opener shows two Aces by bidding 5 Hearts.
The responder then places the contract in 6 Spades.
And with only 24 high card points, a slam contract has been reached by each partner knowing the distribution held by the other partner.
Normally, the auction would have progressed as follows:
Opener Responder 1 1 4 Pass
But, with the Singleton in Hearts in combination with the usage of the Splinter bid, a solid slam contract was reached.
The following example must be presented to avoid confusion:
Opener Responder Meaning
A54 2 AQJ7 AK843
108732 AKQ 1054 92 1 1 2 Reverse Bid treatment and shows 5/4 distribution and a minimum of 16 HCPs. 2 NT Responder shows No Fit and 10-12 HCPs. 3 Opener now shows total distribution: 5 Clubs - 4 Diamonds - 3 Spades. Therefore, the opener can only have 1 Heart. 3 NT Responder elects to play 3 NT because of his super Hearts, known singleton, and 8 Spades.
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One must not confuse the Reverse Bid with the Reverse Jump. |
1. The Splinter Bid is not complicated and definitely has no variations.
2. The user should be aware of the differences between Reverse Bid and Reverse Jump.
3. It becomes impossible to show Splinter Bids after an interfering overcall. Therefore, all bids after an interfering overcall are natural.
Opener Responder Meaning
4 AQJ765 A76 Q43
AK765 K93 3 A765 1 1 2 I have a 6-card suit. What else do you have? 4 Singleton or Void and at least 3-card support.
The Splinter bid of the responder of 4 Diamonds indicates a singleton. The opener has rebid his Hearts indicating a 6-card suit and together both partners have 10 Hearts as trump. Remember the requirement of a 4-card support above? This bidding auction allows the responder to have only 3-card support.
The opener, with a singleton in Spades, uses any form of Blackwood or Ace-Asking to reach slam.
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Opener
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Responder
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1
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3
 / 3 / 3 |
I have support in your suit and have a singleton / void in my bid suit. Slam interest. | ||
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1
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3
/ 3 / 4 |
I have support in your suit and have a singleton / void in my bid suit. Slam interest. | ||
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1
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3
/ 4 / 4 |
I have support in your suit and have a singleton / void in my bid suit. Slam interest. | ||
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1
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4
/ 4 / 4 |
I have support in your suit and have a singleton / void in my bid suit. Slam interest. |
Since Splinter bids are the application of so-called and otherwise idle bids, the partnership agreement should definitely be clear that these first responses by the responder do not carry any other significance and/or meaning.
The Splinter bid can be used under different and unexpected circumstances, for which each partner must be attuned.
Opener Responder Meaning
Q105 AK9875 AKQ A
4 J1042 1063 QJ843 2 2 I am weak. No Aces using the Ace-Showing Response treatment. 2 This is my suit. 3 I jumped / Splinter bid.
I have a Singleton or Void in Spades.
I have 4-card Heart support.
The opener sees his chance, uses Blackwood or Ace-Asking. No Ace. The opener bids 6 Hearts.
If the partnership agreement uses the Ace Showing Response to a Strong Artificial 2-Club bid, then there is no need to ask for Aces, but the partner can still show a Singleton or Void with the Splinter bid.