Monday, March 30, 2009
Hand Evaluation – KCB ( Splinters )
PITBULLS:
Kantar
comes up with a new idea in this article. You can turn the tables on
partner when she splinters & answer KCB even when she did not intend the
splinter to be KCB !! Just have the understanding that Q bids are not allowed in these specific 4 level sequences so bids are “out
of the blue” KCB responses. See his
article below.
After
a game-forcing major suit splinter agreement, 4NT is RKB. In some
of these splinter sequences the opener can ask for keycards via 4NT or show
them via step responses! (Back in the fast lane again)
Consider
this sequence:
Opener (you)
Responder
1NT
2H
(1)
2S
4C,
4D, 4H (2)
?
(1)
Transfer to spades
(2) Singleton in the jump suit, slam try, with at least six spades.
What
do your rebids mean? Here's the latest from the ward in the psychiatric
wing:
A.
With no slam interest, sign off in the agreed suit, bid 4S.
B.
If you wish to take charge, bid 4NT, RKB (1430).
C.
And here's the kicker. With certain hands it might be better to answer the
splinter jump by steps treating it as if it were a RKB ask! However, the agreed
suit and 4NT are not counted as steps. Also, to pull one of these "role
reversals" you must have at least "2 with", the first
step. There are actually three steps:
1st
step= "2" with
2nd step= "3" without
3rd step = "3" with
Why
do this? Because some hands (the ones with aces and spaces) are better suited
to showing keycards rather than asking for them. Others, the ones with
fillers in the side suits, suits headed by the KQ or KQJ are better suited to
asking for keycards because it is easier to count tricks. Can we have our cake
and eat it too? Why not?
A "FILLER" ASK
Opener
Responder
S. AQ
H. J10x H.x
D. KQxx D. Axx
C. KQxx C. Axx
1NT
2H (1)
2S 4H
(2)
4NT (3) 5D (4)
6S Pass
(1)
Transfer
(2) Singleton slam try
(3) RKB (1430) opener asking
(4) "3"
Opener
has a good hand for spades, nothing wasted in hearts, plus fillers in the
minors making it easy to count tricks.
ACES AND SPACES
Opener
Responder
S. Axx
H. Kxxx H. Axx
D. Axx D. x
C. AJx C. Kxx
1NT
2H (1)
2S 4D
(2)
5C (3) 6S
(1)
Transfer
(2) Singleton slam try
(3) 2nd step response, showing "3 without". A first step response of
4H shows "2" with. 4S, to play, and 4NT, RKB, are not counted
as steps.
Opener,
with aces and spaces, elects to
show keycards rather than ask for them.
TALK ABOUT THE WRONG HAND
Opener
Responder
H. Jx H.
AQxxxx
D. AQxx D. Kxx
C. QJx C. Axx
1NT
2D (1)
2H
3S (2)
3NT (3) Pass (4)
1.
Transfer
2. Singleton slam try
3. To play knowing partner has a singleton spade and six hearts, etc.
4. Faith
ANOTHER "WRONG" HAND
Opener
Responder
H. KQJx H. x
D. AQxx D. Kxx
C. QJx C. Kxx
1NT
2H (1)
2S
4H (2)
4S (3) Pass
(1)
Transfer
(2) Singleton slam try
(3) Would like to to in reverse to 3NT, but the rules don't permit it and 4NT
is RKB.
TAKING CHARGE
Opener
Responder
H. Kx H. AQJxxx
D. AKxxx D. x
C. Kxx C. Qxxx
1NT
2D (1)
2H
4D (2)
4NT (3) 5S (4)
6H
Pass
(1)
Transfer
(2) Singleton slam try
(3) RKB (1430) opener asking
(4) 2 with
A
reasonable contract. In order to make a singleton slam try in this sequence,
responder should have a 6 card suit and at 13 "attractive" HCP,
minimum. With a 7 card suit responder can fudge a point or two.
Another
sequence where an ask-show option is possible occurs when responder makes a
four level splinter response to an opening bid of 1H or 1S.
SHOWING OFF YOUR NEW MOVES
Opener
Responder
S. AJxxxx
H. QJx H. Kxxx
D. Axx D. x
C.
x
C. KQJx
1S
4D (1)
4H (2) 4S (3)
Pass
(1)
Singleton diamond, opening bid values
(2) "2" with (10 card fit assured)
(3) Two aces missing
Reminder:
These suggestions deal only with the sequences mentioned. (Add others if
you like-or junk it all). It's just an idea.