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Toys for the Boys
by Harvey Fox
Playing in a Middlesex Division 2
match last night, the following hand came up:
Not vulnerable at teams you hold:
and the bidding goes Pass - Pass
to you. Not being shy this is clearly a third in hand 1
opening. If partner responds 3
(limit raise promising 4 card support) would you move? Would it
make a difference if partner could show a singleton club in addition?
Welcome to the wonderful world of mini-splinters!
It works like this: Over one of a
major a jump shift by partner shows 10+ points and a singleton in
the suit bid and four + card support for opener's suit. Normal splinters
are used to find low point-count slams on well fitting hands, mini-splinters
are similar, but are used to find those elusive low point count
games.
If responder happens to have 13+ points and would have splintered
as a slam-try, then over the three level sign off, they just raise
to game, or with more power make a cue bid. This leaves double jumps
to show a void. Here partner's values are clearly working with your
cards and 4
must be a good spot.
Partners hand:
and that was another 6 IMPs to the
good guys!
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