Tactical Considerations

[mikestar]

Partner thinks a heart splinter opposite his stiff would exite him enough to bid a slam that needs 2-2 clubs? Wow, that's really resulting. I would never have criticised your 4♠ even if I disagreed with you--these freak hands are going to leave you guessing.

 

A much more likely result if you splinter is they get a cheap chance to get together in hearts by doubling the splinter, when your bidding has clued them in to having a good heart fit. If your are going to take this risk, why not start lower and really exchange some useful info if they are quiet--2NT, for example, at least doesn't tell them how good their heart fit is.

 

If your partner had advocated blasting 6♠, I would have sided with you but considerd his opinion reasonable if over-aggressive. Much depends on what your 10-point openers look like--if they typically have extra shape and good controls, the blast looks better. If they might be minimal shape with only fair controls, 4♠ stands out.

 

Note that these arguments are laregly dependent on the systemic knowledge that partner has at most 3 hearts--in a system where partner may well have heart length, enemy intervention is less likely at this vulnerability.

[mike777]

[hv=d=n&v=e&n=sat753h9dkqcat863&s=skqj964hd963ck742]133|200|Scoring: IMP

1♠ - (P) - 4S - All Pass[/hv]

 

I went for the simple 4♠ raise. We happened to have a slam this time (clubs were 2-2). Partner resulted and complained I didn't ♥ splinter, but I don't see that being very helpful. One thing about the heart splinter is that unless partner holds xxx in ♥, he will have a tough time evaluating his hand to go on.

 

For example, will he know to make another try with:

 

♠xxxxx

♥xxx

♦Ax

♣AQJ

 

But not with:

 

♠Axxxx

♥xxx

♦xx

♣AQJ

 

And to make another try with:

 

♠Axxx

♥KQx

♦x

♣AQxxx

 

But not with:

 

♠Axxx

♥Kx

♦xx

♣AQJxx

I rejected the splinter since I thought your hand had too much playing power for it or 4s....did bidding 2nt help me or just make the issue worse?