[kenrexford]

From another discussion:

Jlall, on Sep 2 2007, 06:37 PM, said:

1S is the only alternative to 4H, but isn't really my taste.

Is this the lowest splinter ever?

So, what is the "lowest splinter ever" that you have made?

One of the lowest that I recurringly have is a 1NT rebid by Opener. Playing such that a 1♦ opening always shows an unbalanced hand, the auction often is 1♦-P-1M-P-1NT, with 1NT showing a stiff or void in Responder's major. Sort of a "splinter," I suppose.

A better example might be from a canape structure. 1♦ promised (a.) a one-suiter with clubs, (b.) a one-suiter with diamonds, or (c.) a two-suiter with diamonds and a major. If the auction started 1♦-P-1♥(natural)-P-1NT, then Opener had two ways to show the diamond-spade canape. With a minimum and either 6+ spades OR 5 spades but 0-2 hearts, Opener rebid 1♠. With 5341/5350, Opener rebid 1NT. This was closer -- a mini-splinter of sorts showing a possible but unconfirmed fit.

I cannot think of anything lower than that, or more pure. Any similar (or even better) ultra-low-level "splinters," anyone?

(Actually, I suppose the "lowest" is the 1♦ opening showing a stiff or void somewhere, a "splinter" of sorts, but that seems like cheating. You must at least indicate where the stiff is to play this game.)

[han]

Just showing shortness doesn't qualify as a splinter, it must also show support imo.

The lowest splinter I can think of is the boring 1C-1M-3D.

[Echognome]

This is just a matter of agreements. I could play 1♣ - 1♦ as a splinter agreeing clubs. Doesn't make it a good convention.

Of what I would deem something "reasonable", I have played 1♥ - 2♠ as an unknown mini-splinter, then after the 2NT ask, 3♣ showing the exact splinter suit (which I played as ♠) is the lowest for me.

[kenrexford]

Hannie, on Sep 2 2007, 10:12 PM, said:

Just showing shortness doesn't qualify as a splinter, it must also show support imo.

The lowest splinter I can think of is the boring 1C-1M-3D.

So, 1♦-P-1♥-P-1♠ would not qualify because Opener has a stiff club with exactly three hearts and Responder has 4+ hearts but not necessarily 5.

How about an assured stiff, known location thereof, and fit?

1♦-P-1♥-P-
2♥-P-2♠-P-
2NT?

An explanation. 1♦ shows an unbalanced hand. 1♥ natural, 2♥ fit. 2♠ relay asking for the stiff; 2NT = stiff spade.

[han]

That would be a good one. And fairly common to play an ask there.

[mike777]

Many play 1H=2s=stiff/ somewhere(game force), 2nt asks.

[jdonn]

kenrexford, on Sep 2 2007, 10:34 PM, said:

Hannie, on Sep 2 2007, 10:12 PM, said:

Just showing shortness doesn't qualify as a splinter, it must also show support imo.

The lowest splinter I can think of is the boring 1C-1M-3D.

So, 1♦-P-1♥-P-1♠ would not qualify because Opener has a stiff club with exactly three hearts and Responder has 4+ hearts but not necessarily 5.

How about an assured stiff, known location thereof, and fit?

1♦-P-1♥-P-
2♥-P-2♠-P-
2NT?

An explanation. 1♦ shows an unbalanced hand. 1♥ natural, 2♥ fit. 2♠ relay asking for the stiff; 2NT = stiff spade.

I think a splinter is a jump by definition, or else it's just a shortness-showing bid.

I think it's been played in some versions of precision before that 1♣ p 1♦ p 1♥ p 2♠+ are splinters for hearts.

[matmat]

2d opening, roman.
whatever suit p has...

[rbforster]

matmat, on Sep 3 2007, 12:49 AM, said:

2d opening,  roman.
whatever suit p has...

Don't you know 2♣ mini roman is much better than 2♦? And it's a lower splinter too...

[MickyB]

Rob F, on Sep 3 2007, 07:21 AM, said:

matmat, on Sep 3 2007, 12:49 AM, said:

2d opening,  roman.
whatever suit p has...

Don't you know 2♣ mini roman is much better than 2♦? And it's a lower splinter too...

Sure, but I find that a 2♦ opening showing 12-16 with clubs doesn't work so well.

[helene_t]

In one partnership I play
1♦-1♥
2♠*
as a mini-splinter.

[skjaeran]

helene_t, on Sep 3 2007, 11:57 AM, said:

In one partnership I play
1♦-1♥
2♠*
as a mini-splinter.

With my regular partner we play 1♥ - 2♠ as any minisplinter (game invite with 4c support).

We also play:
1♣ - 1red (TRF)
1M - 3♣/♦ as a splinter, inv+ (1M=accept, showing all 3cM hands and some 4cM).

[Cascade]

helene_t, on Sep 3 2007, 09:57 PM, said:

In one partnership I play
1♦-1♥
2♠*
as a mini-splinter.

What about

1♣ 1♦
2♥?

I have played this as a splinter when a 1Maj rebid was unconditionally forcing.

Currently my lowest splinter is 2NT

1♥ 2NT = spade splinter.

Unless you count:

1♣ 2♣
2♦

which shows shortage. 2♣ is an inverted raise.

[mycroft]

EHAA:
p-1C; 2D shows specifically 10-12 HCP and 4414. That's the lowest I can think of.

Note that this is only by a passed hand, who will not have any other sensible meaning for a jump shift, as it would have been opened.

Michael.

[awm]

In our strong club system Josh and I play:

1♣ (strong) - 1♥ (4+ spades GF)
2♣ (three suited hand short in hearts)

which seems to fit the "splinter" definition. In this auction 1♠ by opener would be relay and 1NT would be three-suited short in spades (so not necessarily a fit). Dunno whether this is what people are looking for.

The lowest exact shape-showing auction I've ever had was in a strong diamond system:

1♣ (balanced or three-suited) - P - 1♦ (asking) - 1♥
X (4144 exactly).

But I don't suppose that counts as a splinter either.

[helene_t]

Cascade, on Sep 3 2007, 11:27 PM, said:

helene_t, on Sep 3 2007, 09:57 PM, said:

In one partnership I play
1♦-1♥
2♠*
as a mini-splinter.

What about

1♣ 1♦
2♥?

No, 1♣ is a balanced hand and 1♦ hows hearts