[neilkaz]

jillybean2, on Feb 18 2009, 10:05 PM, said:

kenrexford, on Feb 18 2009, 12:01 PM, said:

I cannot imagine not discussing this.  So, whatever we agreed.

That said, a funny story.  When I taught my wife splinters, I forgot to be specific about 1♥-P-3♠.  EVerything else at the 4-level was a splinter and everything at the 3-level weak (actually, intermediate, like a strong weak 2).  This anomaly was not discussed.

Hi Ken,
I learned all splinters except 1♥:3♠ at the 4level, now Im learning how important it is to be specific.
How about 1♣:1♥ 3♦.

Kathryn..if you can play splinters at a lower level you save room for PD to Q-bid or pattern out, or use some kind of semi/semi serious/frivolous 3NT.

On the given sequence... 1♣-1M-any♦ a simple 2♦ call is a reverse and is limited only by the failure to open 2♣. Thus 3♦ can be a splinter.

B/I/typical Adv have terrible issues with reverses. Some pass them with a min if the new suit sort of fits. Few know Leb or Ingberman and some of those that due screw it up. Others think a reverse is GF and go crazy with a few extra points and end up -2 or 3 in 6mX.

I'll chime in here with a basic rant. First of all, in chess we remember all sorts of dozen move for both sides opening sequences. Looking for a good game of chess a couple years ago I drove 20 miles to a chess club, only to find it was mostly kids and watched two 1100+ rated players instantly crank out the first 11 moves of a common classical variation of the Dragon Sicilian. In backgammon we remember responses to the many opening moves and some followups and also countless endgame positions.

So..in bridge, why can't we remember simple 2nd and 3rd and even 4th turn bidding sequences ? As long as the opp's don't intrude there's only 5 possible non-pass bids each turn so the memory load isn't too much. The problems are that there are so many different treatments for these sequences and players never agree and this drives many from the game and also makes it next to impossible to teach it to some players.

Anyhow..it is good to have the next bid that is not forcing as a splinter.

[benlessard]

I knew that 1H----4S is to play in standard. Most pair i know seems to play 4H as a preempt because 4H as a splinter leave no room to cue bid. I knew partner didnt play exclusion and wasnt really fond of WJS. So ive assumed 3H is a splinter and passed 4H

But after asking and checking in books in standard 4H is a splinter.

[peachy]

If splinters are on the cc, then 1S-4H is a splinter. UNLESS otherwise agreed, which means we must then make an agreement how to show a heart splinter when partner opens 1S. If it is *1S-3H is splinter* then need to agree how to bid the hand that would have bid 3H (SJS or WJS or fit-jump, whatever) now that 3H is reserved for splinter. Too much messy trouble for no real reason, IMO. Just keep the doublejump as splinter and trust that partner is able to recognize a doublejump.