When is this hand good?

[Fluffy]

S - N

1♦-1♥

2♥*-4♦**

 

 

2♥= 100% 4 cards (normally 12-14 bal, or 4441/5431 not worth 3♥)

 

4♦= splinter

 

♠???

♥7532

♦AJ62

♣A4

[skjaeran]

Kxx is enough. I've got a minimum, but nothing wasted in diamonds, and controls in both side suits. So I'll bid 4♠. I'm not proud of my trumps though, so this is borderline.

[Halo]

Doesn't matter, not enough.

 

For me if this is slam going with my feeble trumps, and wasted diamonds, then partner is bidding again.

[jdonn]

Kxx is enough. I've got a minimum, but nothing wasted in diamonds, and controls in both side suits. So I'll bid 4♠. I'm not proud of my trumps though, so this is borderline.

I am going to disagree this time, I think I would need KQx and even then feel it is close. What I note is

 

- My trumps are absolutely awful.

- The jack of diamonds is wasted.

- The ace of diamonds would be more valuable in another suit (something people often forget opposite a splinter, the ace may not be wasted but is still more valuable anywhere else.)

 

I admit my answer may be somewhat a function of style, since I have noted through observation I tend to make this splinter lighter than other folks. But I think a very normal hand for partner would be something like Axx AQJxx x Kxxx, opposite which the 5 level is a bit risky, but where slam would be worthwhile if I had the queen of spades as well.

[han]

Good points here, it is a bit a matter of style. Does the splinter show serious slam interest, or does it show a hand that would make slam worthwhile if partner has a really maximal and fitting hand?

 

I think either approach makes sense.