The answers to the responding to Splinters quiz are below. If you have landed here before taking the quiz then go back quickly!

With the below hands what do you think it is correct to bid after your partner’s response?

  1. ♠ AKQx
    ♥ KJxxx
    ♦ xx
    ♣ xx
    –
    N E S W
    1♥ P 3♠* P
    ?
    ––

    4♥ – Your partner has splintered in the worst suit as far as you are concerned. For a small slam to make your need your partner to have an awful lot in the minor suits and a good card in trumps – very unlikely and if they do have such a good hand then they will likely push on over your sign off anyway.
    –

  2. ♠ AQxxx
    ♥ Axx
    ♦ xxxx
    ♣ A
    –
    N E S W
    1♠ P 4♦*
    P ?
    –

    4♥* – A perfect holding opposite a splinter so we make a control bid showing first round control in hearts and showing an interest in a potential spade slam.
    –

  3. ♠ xxxx
    ♥ Kx
    ♦ KJxx
    ♣ Qxx
    –
    N E S W
    P P
    1♥ P 1♠ P
    4♦* P ?
    –

    4♠ – Whilst our partner must have a good hand (5 losers or fewer) to make a splinter opposite our simple 1 level response, unfortunately they have splintered in a suit that is not good for us so we should therefore attempt to sign off in game only.
    –

  4. ♠ AKxxx
    ♥ xxx
    ♦ AQxx
    ♣ x
    –
    N E S W
    1♠
    P 4♥* P ?
    –

    4NT – Three small is a great holding opposite a splinter so we want to push on. We haven’t got the room to control bid our ♦A so 4NT it is!
    –

  5. ♠ xx
    ♥ AK10xx
    ♦ Ax
    ♣ xxxx
    –
    N E S W
    1♦ P 1♥ P
    4♣* P ?
    –

    4♦* – Very excited at the prospect of this hand. We have a lot to spare for our simple 1♥ response, we have a great holding opposite a splinter and we have a first round control in a side suit. Given that we have the room I think the best bid here is to bid our control in diamonds.
    –

  6. ♠ x
    ♥ AQxxx
    ♦ Axx
    ♣ KQJx
    –
    N E S W
    1♥ P 4♣*
    P ?
    –

    4♥ – Whilst our opening hand is a lot better than it might have been, our ♣KQJ are completely wasted values opposite a singleton/void so our partner’s splinter has made our hand look much worse. A sign off is therefore recommended.
    –

  7. ♠ K10xxx
    ♥ AQxx
    ♦ AJx
    ♣ x
    –
    N E S W
    1♠ 2♦
    4♦* P ?
    –

    4♥* – Firstly, yes the 4♦* is a still a splinter even after intervention from the opponents (it’s still a double jump to us!). We have quite a good hand opposite a diamond splinter, with only the ♦J as a wasted card so the best bid here is to show our first round control in hearts, opening the conversation up about a potential slam.
    –

  8. ♠ xx
    ♥ KQxx
    ♦ xx
    ♣ AKxxx
    –
    N E S W
    1♠
    P 2♣ P 3♦
    P ?
    –

    3NT – A trick question! Your partner’s bid is not a splinter as it is not a double jump. This 3♦ bid is instead just a forcing way of bidding spades and diamonds as an opener. We have not got a fit for either of our partner’s suits but we do have a stopper in the unbid suit so 3NT looks like a sensible contract.
    –

  9. ♠ AKQxx
    ♥ x
    ♦ Axxx
    ♣ KQx
    –
    N E S W
    1♠ P 4♦* P
    ?
    –

    –4NT – Axx(x) is arguably the best holding opposite a splinter as it becomes a no loser suit. We have not got a first round control in hearts to control bid but we do want to investigate slam so 4NT is our only sensible option here.
    –

  10. ♠ xx
    ♥ Ax
    ♦ KQJxxx
    ♣ Q10x
    –
    N E S W
    1♣ P 1♦
    P 3♠* X ?
    –

    4♥* – Another control bid to show slam interest. Spade losers is what we are worried about with this hand and our partner’s splinter has that suit controlled with shortage. It is likely our partner will bid 4NT over this control bid and we will end in 6/7♦.