Monday, February 11, 2008

Another Empathetic Splinter Situation

A problem from the Bridge Base Forum seemed too easy.

Opener: Axx-AJx-AKxx-Jxx
Responder: KQxx-Q-Qxxxxxx-x

1NT-P-2C-P-
2D-P-3D-P-
3H-P-3S-P-
???

Seems like an obvious 5C call -- the empathetic splinter. Primed out real estate, with great support and no wasted values in clubs. Responder easily will bid 6D. He can count 12 tricks and two losers.

Look for this situation. A similar auction:

1NT-P-2C-P-
2D-P-3C-P-
3D-P-3H-P-
4S

In my opinion, it might also make sense to have a non-jump above 3NT in the fourth suit be an empathetic splinter if a jump would bypass five of the minor. Examples:

1NT-P-2C-P-
2D-P-3C-P-
3D-P-3S-P-
4H

or

1NT-P-2C-P-
2D-P-3C-P-
3H-P-3S-P-
4D

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