IMPROVE YOUR PLAY
with Larry Matheny

 

There many conventions and agreements available for partnerships.  Some are useful and some are abused.  The splinter bid is a valuable tool and it was used quite effectively in this hand.

 

Scoring: Matchpoints (Pairs)

#11-27

Dlr

E

Vul

N/S

S

Q9843

H

7

D

1092

C

K1085

S

 

H

K6432

D

A74

C

QJ963

  pad  

S

75

H

QJ1085

D

8653

C

72

 

S

AKJ1062

H

A9

D

KQJ

C

A4

West

North

East

South

   

  

   Pass

    2C

  Pass  

  2D*

  Pass

  2S

   Pass      4H         Pass       4NT

   Pass      5C         Pass       6S

   Pass     Pass       Pass

 

   *game forcing

 

 

BIDDING:  North’s jump in hearts was a splinter bid showing a singleton or void in hearts and support for spades.  Looking for a possible grand slam, South checked on aces but signed off in six when he found one was missing.

 

PLAY:  West led the ace of diamonds and declarer quickly claimed the slam.  Many pairs missed this slam and on more than one occasion the North player was heard to say “But I only had five points”.  Those players failed to recognize the value of their hand.

 

 

Copyright ©2011 Larry Matheny