Splinter raises : Facts sheet
  1. 1♥ - 4♥     1♠ - 4♠ = 6-10 HCP, 4+trumps, void or singleton (no singleton Honour)

  2. A double jump shift is a Splinter, showing 4+card support for the previously bid suit, 11+ HCP, a void or singleton (no singleton Honour) and 7 losers or less.
    1♥ - 3♠   or   1♥ - 4♣   or   1♥ - 4♦
    1♠ - 4♣   or   1♠ - 4♦   or   1♠ - 4♥   = 11+ HCP, 4+trumps, void or singleton

  3. Where a change of suit would be forcing, a single jump rebid is also a Splinter.
    1♠ - 2♥ - 4♣ = Splinter
    1♥ - 2♣ - 2♥ - 3♠ = Splinter

  4. Opener's Reply to Partner's Splinter raise
    With King and/or Queen in the Splinter suit Opener usually bids Game.
    A Slam contract is unlikely unless Opener is very strong.

    With only small cards in the Splinter suit (or 2 or 3 small cards headed by the Ace), all high card resources are in the other suits and a Slam contract is likely, even with a minimum (12-15 HCP) Opening hand.

    1. 1♥ - 4♦ → 4♥   with   ♠ A 8 7   ♥ A Q J 7 5   ♦ K Q 4   ♣ 8 6 4 2

    2. 1♥ - 4♣ → 4NT   with   ♠ A 8 7   ♥ A Q J 7 5   ♦ K Q 4   ♣ 8 6 4 2

    Roman Keycards Blackwood combines well with Splinter raises.

Suite raise Responses
  1. 1♥ - 2♥ =   6-10 HCP, 3+ trumps, 9+ losers

  2. 1♥ - bid new suit first - then 3♥ =   10-12 HCP, 3+ trumps, 8 losers

  3. 1♥ - 3♥ =   13+ HCP, 3+ trumps, 7 losers or less : Game force

  4. 1♥ - 4♥ =   6-10 HCP, 4+ trumps, void or singleton, 8 losers

  5. 1♥ - 3♠ or 4♣ or 4♦ =   11+ HCP, 4+ trumps, singleton or void, 7 losers or less

Splinter raises of Minor suits
Splinter raises of the minor suits are usually only double jumps to the 3-level to allow for a 3NT contract :
1♣ - 3♦, 3♥, 3♠
or
1♦ - 3♥, 3♠         = 11+ HCP, 4+trumps, void or singleton

It conveys : "Partner if you have this suit covered bid 3NT"

© 2016 Michael Furstner