Splinter

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Splinter

The splinter bid is a specialized type of raise that sometimes allows a partnership to bid a game or slam that might otherwise be missed. If partner has a lot of strength in your short suit, slam is less likely. However, if partner is weak in your short suit, slam is more likely. Unlike the Jacoby 2NT bid, a splinter can be used to show minor suit fits and can be used by responder or opener.

Splinter's requirements:
- Is a jump past three but below four of the partnership's last bid suit.
- You need at least a 4-card support.
- Shows enough points for game.

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Splinter by Responder

The splinter guarantees at least four-card support for opener’s suit and shows a singleton or void in the suit in which the jump is made. Splinter by responder shows enough strength for game. (13+ points + 12 points by opener =25 points).

Sample hands: Partner opens 1 heart.

What do I do after partner makes a splinter.

When partner makes a Splinter bid, an effective approach is to consider the impact of knowing that partner has at most one card in the suit bid. Thus A-x-x should be considered a very good holding as two potential losers have effectively been reduced to none, while K-Q-x would be a bad holding as there is still one loser and the five points held in that suit could be used more effectively in any of the suits in which the Splinter bidder has length.

Example 1 : After opener begins with 1S, responder bids 4D. From opener’s point of view, this is good news. She knows that her partner has at most one diamond, making it safe to explore for slam. Why? Opener doesn’t have to worry about the three low diamonds in her hand.

Splinter by Opener

One major difference in a splinter by Opener is that they are forcing to game opposite a simple response from partner, showing as few as 6+ points. Thus, Opener’s splinter bid shows a strong hand, about 19+ points.

The 4H bid shows a 5-loser or better hand, four spades and a singleton or void in hearts. Now, if responder is trying to figure out whether to pursue slam, she knows that opener has four spades, probably five or more diamonds, and a singleton or void in hearts. With this information, responder should be able to figure out how well the hands fit together.