Wednesday, December 21, 2005 6:31 AM

4 Level Exclusion

PITBULLS:

Continuing my campaign to virtually eliminate splinters in competition , I suggest that jump Q bids at the 4 level be defined as Exclusion KCB after a minor opener. Showing a singleton in their suit at the 4 level is silly as 3NT may have been your best spot. Playing 3NT with a void is usually not a good idea.

Partner opens 1♣ and they overcall 1♦ and you hold Axxx Kxx void AKxxxx. A 2♦ bid shows limit raise or better. A 3♦ bid should show a singleton and a 4♦ bid is exclusion. 1♦-2♥-P-? Kxxx void KQxxx AKJx . A negative double is dangerous as partner might convert for penalty. Why not bid 4♥ as Exclusion KCB immediately ?

With no interference after partners major opener , I like a direct jump to 4 of a minor as exclusion. This is because we have bids at the 3 level defined as splinters . With competition though after a major opener, I like the old fashioned splinter at the 4 level and exclusion at the 5 level with a minor only. This is due to the duplication of value angle of the splinter. If there is severe duplication of value, it is found below game after a major opener. If you do not care that much of the possibility of duplication of value , you can use exclusion at the 5 level.

After a major opener , a jump Q bid in the other major is exclusion KCB not a splinter. 1♥-1♠-4♠ is obviously exclusion KCB as 2♠ and 3♠ were both available for a Q bid and a splinter respectively. With a spade opener , we have a judgment call after they overcall hearts. Jumping to 5♥ as exclusion does not appeal to me , so a jump in their heart suit is exclusion KCB. 1♠-2♥-4♥ is exclusion and not a splinter.

With 2/1 and a minor fit found , a jump to 4 of a major is exclusion and not a splinter.

1♠-P-2♣-P

3♣-P-4♥

Exclusion KCB can not be “implied” . You must have established a fit first. 1♦-P-2♣-P 2♦-P-4♥-P is a 6-5 in clubs and hearts as we did not establish the diamond fit first. After a minor opening & a response , a jump to game in a major is natural and not exclusion KCB. 1♦-P-1♥-P 4♠ is a 6-5 or 6-6 in diamonds and spades .

Whatever KCB scheme you use , you should have zero as the 1^st step so you can bail. Tom & I switch to 0314 with exclusion and Kiz/Susan have devised their own scheme. 1430 and exclusion is not a good mix as zero is the 2^nd step. Kantar just goes , 0 ,1 ,2 , 3 but this complicates queen asks etc.