Splinter
Unspecified Singleton/Void


Unspecified Splinters can, by partnership agreement, be used in one of two ways, to differentiate between holding a singleton and a void, or between a hand with 13-15 dummy points or a stronger hand.

Another advantage of using Unspecified Splinters is that if partner signs off in game, the opponents will not know which suit responder's singleton (or void) is in.


Singleton vs. Void

    1-3 or 1-3N shows 4+ card support, 13+ dummy points, and a singleton in an unspecified suit. Opener can bid 4 of his suit if not interested in slam, or he can bid the next higher rank (including NT) to ask responder for the singleton's suit. The list below shows the Splinter, the ask by opener, and the response.

    If bidding a void/singleton suit when asked would take responder past game level, bidding opener's suit shows a singleton/void in the higher suit; otherwise, if responder bids past the game level, it shows extra strength or shape, as shown below:

    Examples:

      1-3 -- unspecified singleton
      3N-4 -- singleton Club
      -4 -- singleton Diamond
      -4 -- singleton Spade (since 4 would go beyond 4)

      1-3N -- unspecified void
      4-4 -- void in Diamonds
      -4 -- void in Clubs or Spades with 13-15 dummy points
      -4 -- void in Spades with 16+ dummy points.
      -5 -- void in Clubs with 16+ dummy points.

      1-3N -- unspecified singleton
      4-4 -- singleton Diamond
      -4 -- singleton Heart
      -4 -- singleton Club

      1-4 -- unspecified void
      4-4 -- void in Hearts
      -4 -- void in Clubs or Diamonds with 13-15 dummy points
      -5 -- void in Clubs with 16+ dummy points.
      -5 -- void in Diamonds with 16+ dummy points.


Normal vs. Strong Hands

    1-3 or 1-3N still shows 4+ card support and 13-15 dummy points, but when playing Normal-Strong Unspecified Splinters, it shows either a singleton or a void.

    A jump of 1-3N or 1-4 also shows either a singleton or void, but with 16+ dummy points.

    Note that when playing unspecified singleton/void splinters, you can also show a stronger hand by bidding past game in opener's suit, so to that extent, you get both of these options.

    Examples:

      1-3 -- unspecified singleton or void, 13-15 dummy points
      3N-4 -- short Clubs
      -4 -- short Diamonds
      -4 -- short Spades (since 4 would go beyond 4)

      1-3N -- unspecified singleton or void, 13-15 dummy points
      4-4 -- short Diamonds
      -4 -- short Spades
      -5 -- short Clubs.

      1-3N -- unspecified singleton or void, 16+ dummy points
      4-4 -- short Diamonds
      -4 -- short Hearts
      -4 -- short Clubs

      1-4 -- unspecified singleton or void, 16+ dummy points
      4-4 -- short Hearts
      -5 -- short Clubs
      -5 -- short Diamonds.