M J Bridge
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Bidding
Responder root page
Splinter bids
A splinter bid is a double jump shift -
The improvers’ agreement
The basic implementation was introduced under ‘improvers’ methods’.
The splinter raise would be made on any seven-
The bid would be played alongside some kind of 2NT raise -
Post-
Context -
♠
♥
♦
♣
Q J 9 7 2
A 8 5 4
8
K 6 4
Partner opened 1♠.
Bid 4♦, agreeing spades and showing a diamond shortage and some values in a seven-
Thoughts of a slam
However, even with the modification above the potentially wide range of the splinter bid can leave doubt as to which partner might have hopes of a slam and just exactly when the other partner should make helpful or encouraging noises.
Increasingly popular amongst serious partnerships is to overcome this problem by limiting the high-
In this variation the splinter raise should always be a little light in high-
If the hand is full value (say fifteen or more points) then use the Jacoby 2NT game-
Clearly, in this variation the 2NT raise will no longer deny a shortage.
If your choice was the Jacoby 2NT game-
If your choice was the ‘limit or better’ high-
Note that, in itself, this style of splinter bid is if anything less complicated than the basic splinter outlined above.
The reason for the ‘intermediate’ categorisation is because of the greater complication required in the associated 2NT raise.
Intermediate and above
Voids and singletons
A relatively recent extension of the principle is to distinguish specifically between voids and singletons.
The basic method is that, facing an opening bid of 1♠, an immediate splinter in a new suit at the four-
Following the 3NT response opener will normally bid 4♣, after which responder can bid the singleton in diamonds or hearts or bid four of the agreed suit to show a singleton club.
Post intermediate and above
♠
♥
♦
♣
Q J 9 7 2
8
A J 5 4
K 6 4
Partner opened 1♠.
A spade fit, a heart shortage, only seven losers, and eleven points.
Bid 4♥, showing this hand and limiting the high-
♠
♥
♦
♣
K Q 9 7 2
8
A 8 5 4
A Q 4
Partner opened 1♠.
A spade fit, a heart shortage, five losers, and fifteen points.
Bid 2NT -
♠
♥
♦
♣
Q J 9 7 2
A K T 5
J 8 6 4
Partner opened 1♠.
Bid 4♥, agreeing spades and showing a heart void in a game-
With only six losers you might make a further effort after partner bids 4♠.
Note that a ‘Voidwood’ 5♥ might also work well on this hand.
♠
♥
♦
♣
Q J 9 7
8
A K T 5
J 8 6 4
Partner opened 1♠.
Bid 3NT, agreeing hearts and showing a side-
Partner will generally bid 4♣, after which you will show your singleton with 4♥.
You have to be a little more creative in your use of the available bidding space opposite an opening bid of 1♥.
The solution is to use the bid of 3NT to show a void in spades. This releases the bid of 3♠ to show any singleton, with a 3NT relay.
♠
♥
♦
♣
8
Q J 9 7
A K T 5
J 8 6 4
Partner opened 1♥.
Bid 3♠, showing an unspecified singleton.
Opener will relay with 3NT and after which your rebid of 4♥ will show the singleton spade.
This page last revised 5th Jun 2021
This method plays particularly well alongside the Jacoby 2NT game-
One particular shortcoming in the basic implementation outlined above is that you will have reached a high-
Usually this problem will be overcome by opener on his rebid making a bid in a new suit below game-
However, this approach falls flat when the splinter is in the suit immediately below the agreed trump suit.
A simple solution is that such a splinter bid should promise a full-
Anything less than this would then have to take a different route -
♠
♥
♦
♣
Q J 9 7 2
8
A 8 5 4
K 6 4
Partner opened 1♠.
The same hand as above with the suits moved round.
4♥ would describe the hand well but would leave partner at a loss if holding a little extra.
With only ten high-
♠
♥
♦
♣
K Q 9 7 2
8
A K 5 4
K 6 4
Partner opened 1♠.
The same hand-
Bid 4♥ showing suit agreement, a heart shortage, and some high-
If partner signs off in 4♠ you will probably make a further move.
Opener |
Overcaller |
Responder |
Advancer |
Opener's rebid |
Overcaller's rebid and beyond |
Responder's rebid and beyond |
The continuing auction |