Responses after lead-directing X of splinter

[Wwchang]

I have a basic question that I can't find the answer to easily.

 

After, say,

 

1♠ - (P) - 4♣ - (X) - ??

 

What are the standard meanings of the responses: P, XX, 4♦/4♥, and 4♠?

 

I assume 4♠ is minimum with no slam interest, 4♦ and 4♥ would be control showing and denying club control. What are pass and XX? Does one show 1st round control, and another show 2nd round control, or is one of those bids neutral and give partner the opportunity to show a control?

 

By extension, what are the meanings of partner's bids if I pass and the auction rolls around to her:

 

1♠ - (P) - 4♣ - (X) -

P - (P) - ??

 

Does XX show a second round control, 4♦ and 4♥ guarantee 1st round control?

 

Thanks!

[Zelandakh]

With a previous partner we played a generic against doubles of artificial bids in slam auctions: XX = 1st rd club control; P = no control; others = second round control. Showing a second round control does not make much sense when the response was a splinter so it would seem better to switch either to natural slam tries (XX = 1st rd club control; P = requests a cue bid; 4red = natural slam try) or to use the extra space to get a free Frivolous/Serious (P = slam try; XX = 1st rd club control + serious; 4red = serious cue). I would guess that the latter is more useful but cannot say if it is standard at all.

 

Also, if the splinter were in a higher suit then we could use the extra space to reclaim cue bids that we had preempted ourselves of, so after 1♠ - 4♦ - (X), P = slam try; XX = serious club cue; 4♥ = serious cue. I daresay that is not standard anywhere but it seems like a good idea for this situation.

[Endymion77]

You don't care about 2nd round control after partner has splintered.

 

So in the 1st sequence:

 

XX = 1st round control

Pass = strong slam interest, demands cue bid

4♦/4♥ = cue bid (below game level, 1st/2nd round are shown up the line)

4♠ = minimum, no slam interest

 

2nd sequence:

 

XX = void

 

Since partner has shown strong slam interest, you're required to cue bid:

 

4♦/4♥ = 1st or 2nd round control (up the line, so 4♦ with both)

4♠ = denies 1st or 2nd round control in the red suits - rather unlikely after a club splinter but maybe something like AKxx QJxx QJxx x

 

There are other possible cuebidding agreements of course but the above is easy to remember and fairly standard without discussion. For example, here's an additional trick you can use with discussion (in both sequences): if you have diamonds completely controlled and just a 2nd round in hearts (e.g. Qxxx Kxxx AKxx x): you cuebid 4♥ and when partner attempts to sign off in 4♠, you bid 4NT to show the AK diamonds.

[JLOGIC]

 

Also, if the splinter were in a higher suit then we could use the extra space to reclaim cue bids that we had preempted ourselves of, so after 1♠ - 4♦ - (X), P = slam try; XX = serious club cue; 4♥ = serious cue. I daresay that is not standard anywhere but it seems like a good idea for this situation.

 

That might be useful but I also think the splinterer being able to show a void is super useful if he has shown 0-1 in the suit he splintered in. Even your keycard responses are much better if responder gets to show his void so he doesn't feel compelled to do so after keycard, or he can XX then over 4H bid keycard himself despite having a void since he's shown it etc etc.

 

A lot of the times a slam is missed or a bad slam is bid in splinter auctions are when you have ace opposite void and misevaluate it (since it's good opposite a stiff, but it's duplicated opposite a void since partner has probably upgraded for his void), or when responder has the void and opener goes low.

[Lorne50]

For me xx=first round control, 4♠ = minimum, 4♦/♥= controls, pass is a hand that is too good for 4♠ but may still have a red suit control if they are particularly interested in hearing opener xx to show a void.

[aguahombre]

Our splinter, itself, was either limited to a narrow range or a preparation to just plain take over via exclusion 4NT afterward. So, we don't need the frivolous/serious distinction from Opener; anything Opener does other than 4S is serious, and 4NT as Responder's second bid is already exclusion.

 

The Pass of the Double still allows a redouble with a void, but if Responder does that, she won't be Wooding later to take over. Thus:

 

1S (P) 4C (X)

P! (P) XX (P)

4red- 4N! can be used to show something useful, rather than ask (perhaps no red bullets but all good primes.)

[CSGibson]

I am a simple man, so here is my simple structure:

 

Pass - interest in slam, no 1st round club control, not wanting to take control immediately.

Cue - focuses on other non-trump suit, interest in slam, ambiguous towards club control

XX - first round club control

4M - no slam interest opposite a typical splinter.