splinters in relay auctions

[shevek]

How would you play

 

1♥ - 1♠

2♣ - 3♥ ?

 

where 1♥ = 4+♥, not 4♠s, 11-15

1♠ = 11+ relay

2♣ = balanced

 

Responder can bid 2♥ to invite; or continue relay with a good heart hand; or have bid 2NT as a raise first time.

So 3♥ is not needed. We play it as shortage.

 

Being forced to open a major with four small can give responder doubts about 3NT.

"Is my singleton facing KQTx or xxxx?"

We have found that hands with a singleton do better to show than ask. Let partner decide.

 

Here's a (slightly doctored) one we had recently

 

[hv=pc=n&w=sAJ4hj963dkq83ck8&e=sKT3h7daj942caq92&d=w&v=0&b=8&a=1h(4%2B!H%2C%2011-15)p1s(11%2B%20any)p2c(bal)p3h(shortage)p3sp4dp4sp5cp6dppp]266|200[/hv]

 

Overdoing it, maybe. Would be happy to reach 5♦ and find North with ♥AQTxx.

 

We have extended this.

In relay auctions, ALL 3-level breaks (opposite a bid that shows balanced) show shortage.

 

1♥ - 1♠

2♣ - 3♣/♦/♥/♠ show shortage.

 

Invitational hands with a long minor would have responded 3♣/♦ initially. (Or bid 2NT/3NT/relay now)

 

We do the same in strong club auctions:

 

1♣ - 2♣ = 8+ balanced with a major

3 any is a splinter

 

David Morgan points out that these should really be transfer splinters to give extra options to both.

You might even bid this way with a 6-card major

 

♠AKxxxx ♥x ♦KQx ♣Axx

 

When partner shows 8+ bal, this hand would like to show a mild slam try with six spades and a stiff heart.

[nullve]

2♣ = balanced

And still 11-15?

 

If so, how would you bid with. say,

 

a) 11 hcp and 3424 opposite 11 hcp and 4243

b) 15 hcp and 3424 opposite 7 hcp and 4243

 

?

 

Maybe

 

a) 1♥-1♠; 2♣-2N; P

b) 1♥-1N; P

 

?

[shevek]

And still 11-15?

 

If so, how would you bid with. say,

 

a) 11 hcp and 3424 opposite 11 hcp and 4243

b) 15 hcp and 3424 opposite 7 hcp and 4243

 

?

 

Maybe

 

a) 1♥-1♠; 2♣-2N; P

b) 1♥-1N; P

 

?

 

Yes. We pass some balanced 11-counts. Not a good look to play 2NT with 11+11.

When you focus so much on shape, there is a cost.