[DWM]

Scoring: IMP

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For the first question we join the bidding in the second round, so far we have

1C - (P) - 1S - (2H)
4D - (P) - 5D

playing a basic 5cm system (if it makes any difference) what does the 5D bid mean after the 4D splinter. If there is no standard meaning, what suggestions do you have.

Without knowing what it meant, except its got to be a goodie the bidding continues

5H - 5NT

What sort of hand could North have for this bidding now?

My only thought, assuming the bidding has not gone totally off the rails was something along the lines of

Kxxx
x
Ax
QJxxxx

So I went for 7♠. It made but was not too confident about my assumptions for the 5D and 5NT bids so thought I best check.

[P_Marlowe]

Hi,

I am not sure 4D is a splinter,
hence 5D is to play, but looking
at partners hand, ... he took it
as one.

4D being a splinter, 5D is a first
round countrol, 5H as well, 5NT
is choose the slam (spades or clubs).

With kind regards
Marlowe

[helene_t]

I think 5NT is a grand slam try for spades. "Choose a slam" would have been 6♣.

If that's correct, partner probably has more than four spades. 7♠ with 8 trumps is a little scary.

[FrancesHinden]

Assuming that partner also thought 4D was a splinter, then 5D shows first round diamond control and slam interest. 5NT is then grand slam force - asking us to bid 7S with two of the top three spade honours.

That's what I think it all ought to mean. Looking at our hand it's hard to believe partner really has anything consistent with this bidding. I suppose something like

KJxxx
x
A
QJxxxx

is possible, as your 4D bid must have implied some high cards in clubs (but if that is partner's hand, what was wrong with Blackwood?)

[kenberg]

There certainly are people who believe that after the 2H interference the only suit opener can splinter in is hearts. However, I don't regard that as the default agreement so I imagine 5D is a cue and, as has been said, 5N invites you to bid 7 with your holding. More or less without looking at your hand beyond the AQ of spades, I think. I would share your worry that partner might be thinking differently. If he thought that 4D asked him to choose a minor suit game and he is now trying to get out in 5N, this won't go well. I don't think this is likely. Especially since you have told us you made it. Assuming that the two of you are on the same wavelength about splinters, the grand slam on your AQ of spades is a choice he has made. You don't know his hand so you just trust he is wise and do as he requests.

[helene_t]

kenberg, on Apr 10 2007, 04:07 PM, said:

There certainly are people who believe that after the 2H interference the only suit opener can splinter in is hearts.

I have sympathy for that after an overcall of an opening. It's arguably more useful to be able to show a long and strong suit than to be able to show a singleton. But in this situation, a fit-showing 4♦ would be weired. Good spade support and good diamonds and values too concentrated for a splinter in hearts? Maybe something like
KQJx
-
AQJx
Axxxx

Even that hand could splinter in hearts. And 4♦ as a splinter seems to me to come up more frequently.

[bid_em_up]

As suggested, 5D should be first round diamond control, 5N should be GSF.

While it is difficult to picture partners hand, thats not my worry. He asked a question with 5N, my bid is 7S. It's his problem to make it.

I would expect partner to be along the lines of KJ10xxxx x Axx Qx, where 7 is practically cold play opposite your assumed 18-20 count...that has 0 points in diamonds as implied via the splinter.

If you add, you can have maximum of 6 hcp in spades, and nothing in diamonds, but you still must account for about 13 more HCP. After the 5H bid, thats 4 more (the heart ace), giving you a total of 10.

In order to reach your expected values, you must have the club A along with either the heart K or the club K. The heart K allows for a club pitch, while the club King takes care of the suit.

[Apollo81]

I agree with your 7♠ call. Even if partner doesn't have the ♠K the finesse will probably work. Change some spots to worse ones and I might cuebid a few things and let pard out in 6 if he wants.

[jillybean]

4♦ I would most likely have taken this as partner asking me to chose between game in ♣ or ♦ I would not have thought this was a splinter in ♠
As south I would bid 3♥.

[jdonn]

I think your entire auction was perfect, except maybe you should bid 7♣ instead of 7♠ since as was the case you might belong in clubs. But really, well done!

[pclayton]

I have a monstrous hand for a splinter. And pard makes a slam try?

I cant expect less than the AD and K-5th plus in spades.

If i trust pard, i wouldnt even fart around with 5H - I would have bid 7 on the last round.

[goobers]

jillybean2, on Apr 10 2007, 11:55 AM, said:

4♦ I would most likely have taken this as partner asking me to chose between game in ♣ or ♦ I would not have thought this was a splinter in ♠
As south I would bid 3♥.

Yikes, I agree, I wouldn't know that 4♦ was a splinter after 2♥ interference.

[jdonn]

pclayton, on Apr 10 2007, 01:19 PM, said:

I have a monstrous hand for a splinter. And pard makes a slam try?

I cant expect less than the AD and K-5th plus in spades.

If i trust pard, i wouldnt even fart around with 5H - I would have bid 7 on the last round.

KJxxx xx AKx xxx?

Hey, just asking