Q&A 08: Splinters and Cue Bids

Submitted by Vil Gravis on Fri, 06/02/2026 - 14:21

We saw in No.7 how a slam might have been bid using “splinters” but hindsight is a wonderful thing.
Let me show you another and very similar layout, where you might consider splintering but a slam is
near impossible.

SouthWestNorthEast
1Pass2Pass
?

You are sitting South and your hand is:

AT964
AQJ9
9
KQ9

A much better hand than earlier, so surely a splinter bid of 4D is in order. And responder also has a
better hand than we saw last time:

Q2
KT876
KQJ
AJ87

You’d think that opener’s 16 count opposite responder’s 16 count and nine card heart fit should be bid
to a slam in hearts but it has no chance unless there is a singleton spade king or singleton spade jack
with East

Is there an answer to this? What do you suggest? Emails to villyn@xtra.co.nz please