split high or split low?

[gwnn]

I know this has been touched in a recent thread but I'd be interested in a bit of statistics and maybe deeper discussions. So:

 

When you split from several (three or more) equal cards as second hand, do you follow with lowest, second highest, highest or at random?

 

Does it matter which is the exact sequence (ie AKQ or KQJ or QJT or ...)?

 

Thank you

[CSGibson]

I know that Eddie Kantar recommends splitting with the card you would have led, the highest of the honors. His recommendation is based on the fact that it will be easier for partner to place honor card strength, especially if you are splitting from a 3 card honor sequence.

[Finch]

A friend recently reminded me of the article "The quack says duck" by Danny Kleinman in Bridge World Jan 2000.

 

This specifically addresses what to play from various honour combinations when dummy has a singleton and declarer is marked with a long suit (e.g. after a pre-empt). This is partly a matter of partnership agreement, but with some holdings you have to play particular cards to give declarer a guess.

[jtfanclub]

I know this has been touched in a recent thread but I'd be interested in a bit of statistics and maybe deeper discussions. So:

 

When you split from several (three or more) equal cards as second hand, do you follow with lowest, second highest, highest or at random?

 

Does it matter which is the exact sequence (ie AKQ or KQJ or QJT or ...)?

 

Thank you

I always discard the card immediately beneath the card partner needs to know about. Usually, that's second highest, but if it will become obvious that I have the top in the sequence, then I'll play the third, and so forth.

[MFA]

I split low from 2 (KQ, QJ etc) and high from 3+ (KQJ, etc).

[Walddk]

I split low from 2 (KQ, QJ etc) and high from 3+ (KQJ, etc).

What Michael said.

[kenberg]

With three or more (which was the stipulation) I play the top. I guess second would work as well, as long as partner knows that's what I do. But top seems easy. If I play the Q and partner holds neither the A nor the K then he knows that declarer has exactly two tricks in the suit.

 

With two cards the whole concept is different. Often you are not seeking clarity. Occasionally with 3 honors in sequence you still are not seeking clarity and then I might vary my play, maybe J and then Q from QJTx. But usually, with QJTx, clarity is helpful to partner and not helpful to declarer.