What bids do you choose?

[silvr bull]

LOL; choose 'wisely' :P

 

 

 

I think we had a discussion here (last year maybe?) where we talked about this exact subject. Not everyone agreed, but many thought the following:

 

- 1m - 1M - 3M showed two hand types:

 

a) The shapely raise to 3M - about 16-19 support points; x AKxx KQxx Kxxx; and

b) Balanced 17+/19

 

- A splinter (or a 6-4 jump) is reserved for hands above this range

- 4M shows a hand that you just can't stomach partner passing 3M. AQxx xxx AKxxxx void, but its still below the weight of a splinter.

 

Here's some of the rationale:

 

1. 1M over 1m hasn't promised "6 HCP" since the days Helen Sobel played. In certain situations its correct to bid 1M on a yarborough. Even though its likely partner does have values after 1m - p - 1M - p, there's no reason to get overboard.

 

2. By defining your splinters as rocks, slam bidding is a lot easier. Splinters hog a lot of room, and there's very little elbow room under four of our major. If you splinter on the hand you posted, and splinter with an Ace better, its really difficult for partner to evaluate adequately.

Phil, Thanks for taking the time to draft an excellent summary of the differences between a jump to game versus a splinter. I had the mistaken view that both were similar strength, and that the splinter showed only the additional value of shortness in the indicated suit. This was very helpful to me, and your effort in presenting this clear and compelling summary is much appreciated.

[Phil]

Phil, Thanks for taking the time to draft an excellent summary of the differences between a jump to game versus a splinter.

 

You are welcome :)

[Cyberyeti]

2. By defining your splinters as rocks, slam bidding is a lot easier. Splinters hog a lot of room, and there's very little elbow room under four of our major. If you splinter on the hand you posted, and splinter with an Ace better, its really difficult for partner to evaluate adequately.

 

Splinters below the level of 3N can be a little lighter as whoever gets the last bid below 3N can use 3N to distinguish whether they have a decent hand or not.

 

If you're not playing this or above 3N, I agree.

[Phil]

Splinters below the level of 3N can be a little lighter as whoever gets the last bid below 3N can use 3N to distinguish whether they have a decent hand or not.

 

If you're not playing this or above 3N, I agree.

 

Good point. The closer we get to 4 of our major, the tighter the requirement should be.