Bidding Quiz 1: Splinter Bids by David Bird

This is the first of a series of Friday Bidding quizzes. Each one features a specific area of bidding. This one is on splinter bids.

A splinter bid is a jump that agrees partner’s suit and shows at most one card in the suit bid. For example, 1♠ – 4♣ shows a hand worth playing in 4♠, with four-card trump support (at least) and at most one club. If your partner sees the possibility of a slam, it will then be easy to judge whether the two hands fit well.

Question 1

Your Hand
♠ K 9 2
♥ A 10 7 6
♦ 5
♣ K 8 7 4 3

Q: 1 - What will you respond to the 1♥ opening bid?

South	West	North	East
-	-	1♥	Pass
?

A: 4♦. Your hand is perfect for a first-round splinter bid. You have around 10-12 HCP, and your response ‘tells the whole story’ about your hand.

1♥ – 3♦ would have a different meaning (often showing a very strong hand with diamonds). When you bid one level higher, this is a splinter bid.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 2

Your Hand
♠ K 9 8 2
♥ A Q 7
♦ A K 10 7 6
♣ 4

Q: 2 - What will you rebid after partner's 1♠ response?

South	West	North	East
1♦	Pass	1♠	Pass
?

A: 4♣. You are worth raising to 4♠. A splinter bid of 4♣ gives more information to your partner. A rebid of 3♣ would be natural and game-forcing.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 3

Your Hand
♠ Q J 7 6
♥ 5
♦ A Q J 10 7 6
♣ A 5

Q: 3 - How will you rebid after this start to the auction?

South	West	North	East
1♦	Pass	1♠	Pass
?

A: 3♥. A rebid of 2♥ would be a ‘reverse’, natural and forcing for one round. When you bid one-level higher, this is a splinter bid. You are showing a raise to 4♠ including at most one card in the heart suit.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 4

Your Hand
♠ K 9 8 4
♥ A 8 2
♦ A K J 7 6
♣ 5

Q: 4 - What is your response here?

South	West	North	East
-	-	1♠	Pass
?

A: 2♦. You are too strong for a splinter bid of 4♣. Suppose you did bid 4♣ and partner rebid 4♠. You would not be happy that you had ‘told the whole story’; you would need to bid again.

You should start with 2♦. If partner rebids 2♠, you will make a splinter bid of 4♣ then. An alternative is to respond with the Jacoby 2NT, showing a game-forcing hand with four-card spade support.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 5

Your Hand
♠ A Q 9 8 4
♥ K J 4
♦ 5
♣ K 10 7 6

Q: 5 - What response will you make on this hand?

South	West	North	East
-	-	1♥	Pass
?

A: 1♠. You should not make a splinter bid of 4♦ with only three-card trump support. Respond 1♠. If partner rebids 2♥, you can jump to 4♦ then.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Play this Hand

Now that you've bid five hands, let's see how your play goes.

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Overall Results

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What next? You may enjoy playing our prepared hands series.
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