M J Bridge

Bidding

 Responder root page

Home

Conventions

Hands

Theory

Splinter bids


A splinter bid is a double jump shift - e.g. in the present context it might be 3 over partner’s 1 or 4 over partner’s 1.


The improvers’ agreement


The basic implementation was introduced under ‘improvers’ methods’.

The splinter raise would be made on any seven-loser (or better) hand with at least four-card support, a void or singleton in the splinter suit, and some high-card values - and would be forcing to game.


The bid would be played alongside some kind of 2NT raise - either a Jacoby 2NT game-forcing bid or a ‘limit or better’ 2NT high-card raise which would deny a void or singleton.

Post-beginner and above

Opener’s first bid

Opener’s rebid

Context  -  Acol bidding - Responder’s first bid - partner opened one major in first or second seat - no intervention - support bids.

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-loser hand.

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-card strength associated with a splinter raise.


In this variation the splinter raise should always be a little light in high-card points - typically a maximum of about fourteen points.


If the hand is full value (say fifteen or more points) then use the Jacoby 2NT game-raise or a ‘limit or better ‘ high-card raise.

Clearly, in this variation the 2NT raise will no longer deny a shortage.


If your choice was the Jacoby 2NT game-raise then the present method is likely to be linked with option 6 in opener’s rebid.


If your choice was the ‘limit or better’ high-card raise then a further possible refinement will be found on that page.


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-level will promise a void, and that hands with a singleton will start with 3NT.

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-card strength.

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 - partner’s continuations may well identify the shortage.

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-going hand.

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-suit singleton.

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-force with the agreement in which the splinter bid is limited to a maximum of about fourteen points.


One particular shortcoming in the basic implementation outlined above is that you will have reached a high-level on a hand which is potentially quite wide-ranging.


Usually this problem will be overcome by opener on his rebid making a bid in a new suit below game-level which will either define his strength or ask you to tell him more about your strength.


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-value raise - perhaps 15+.

Anything less than this would then have to take a different route - either a direct game raise or some kind of 2NT high-card raise.

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-card points prefer either 4 or a 2NT limit or better high-card raise.

K Q 9 7 2

8

A K 5 4

K 6 4

Partner opened 1.

The same hand-shape but now only five-loser and 15 points - eminently suitable for a slam-try.

Bid 4 showing suit agreement, a heart shortage, and some high-card strength.

If partner signs off in 4 you will probably make a further move.