Ron Klinger on Splinter Bids

My partner and I were having some difficulties with differeent interpretations of splinter bids. I consulted the ever-obliging expert as below: (annoyingly proving Tom Evans) to be correct!


Ron

I wonder if you would like to comment on some 'discussions' between my partner and I on 'splinter bids'

The sequence below appeared in Bridge Plus in March 2006

1 heart 2 diamonds
3 spades 3NT

The author (I'm not sure who it was as I don't have the original) states that 3 spades is a splinter bid agreeing diamonds and showing a singleton spade and, obviously, showing interest in a slam.

In Bridge Magazine in his article on splinters Bernard Magee says a splinter occurs after a one-level major suit bid by declarer is followed by a double jump in another suit

My problem with the above is that it isn't after a one-level major and it isn't a double-jump, just a single jump. Is this simply a matter of partnership agreement or should we all stick with Bernard Magee's definition.

I think Bernard Magee was referrring only to an opening bid followed by an immediate splinter such as:
1S : 4C/4D/4H and
1H : 3S/4C/4D

Opener can also splinter. The general concept is that if it is not necessary to make a jump-rebid in a new suit to force, then such a jump rebid will be a splinter.
In the sequence you give
1H : 2D
?
2S would be a reverse and forcing to game, so 3S is not needeed to show spades. Hence 3S is a splinter (and so would 4C be).

Likewise, 1S : 2H, 4C and 4D are splinters, agreeing hearts as trumps.

Or 2C : 2D, 2S : 4C/4D = splinters. With long Cs/Ds responder can simply rebid 3C/3D over 2S. The jump is not needed in a natural sense.

Even 1S : 2C, 3D or 3H can be played as splinters, by agreement, since modern style is to play a new suit as forcing after a 2-level response.

Similarly, 1C : 1D, 3H and 3S are splinters, since you can bid 1H/1S or 2H/2S to show the major and appropriate strength.

It is also possible, by agreement, to have a splinter after a minor-suit opening: 1C : 3D/3H/3S or 1D : 3H/3S rather than use these for pre-emptive
type hands. This helps in the decision whether to go for 3NT or 5-minor.

Some pairs play that opener's jump-shift is a splinter (e.g. 1C : 1H, 2S or 1H : 1S, 3C, etc.), but this requires them to play new suit forcing , which is not standard style (not yet, anyway).

Unusual splinter situations include pairs who play 1NT : 3-any suit as a splinter (see Bid Better, Much Better after a 1NT Opening).

Also unusual: Auctions like 1C/1D : 1NT, 3H/3S = splinters with long strong clubs/diamonds and looking for 3NT provided partner can stop the short suit.
Why are these splinters? Because a rebid of 2H/2S would be a reverse and forcing for one round.

Another one I really have a problem with is:

1 diamond 3 diamonds
4 hearts 5 clubs (cue-bid!)
6 diamonds

Again the author states that 4 hearts is a cue-bid (do you mean splinter?) and this fails to meet Bernard's criteria because both players have bid and agreed diamonds, the splinter is over a three-level bid and isn't a double jump.
Again, I think it is because Bernard was not trying to deal with every splinter auction.
The 4H bid here would be a matter of agreement, but most top players would play it as a splinter.
Why?
Because there are other ways to cue-bid hearts.

In addition what would 3 hearts mean? (cue-bid or game try?).

Neither. 3H would generally played as a stopper probe for 3NT. The first priority after 1C : 3C or 1D : 3D is the possibility of playing in 3NT.
1D : 3D
3H : 3NT
4H = 6-5 in Ds-Hs

1D : 3D
3H : 3S or 3NT
4C = cue-bid and now means that 3H was also a cue-bid.

Similarly after an auction like 1C : 1D, 3D . . . 3H/3S = stopper probe

Therefore you do not need 4H as a cue-bid (big waste of bidding space) and so it can be used as a splinter, looking for slam. Some pairs play that such a high splinter (beyond 4 of the trump suit) is void-showing and asks for key cards outside the void suit (Voidwood or Exclusion Blackwood).
Similarly,
1D : 1H
3H : 4S/5C = Exclusion Blackwood.

If 3 hearts is not a cue-bid how do you cue bid hearts? I think this one is really misleading.
See above.