WHAT TO DO AFTER THE SPLINTER I

WHAT TO DO AFTER THE SPLINTER

In Kantar's book "Roman KeyCard Blackwood" we found the follow orientation:
1- after a splinter if you (Opener) have a minimum hand or the aplinter does not fits then sign-off bidding the agreed suit;
2- if splinter fits (like Axx - x or xxx - x) and you have 16+ hcp then:
a) take charge and ask for RKCB1430 bidding 4nt
b) having space then explain your hand in 4 steps to partner's decision
     1st step - 2 any aces + 1 any king + trump's Queen;
     2nd step - 3 any aces + 1 any king;
     3rd step - 3 any aces + 1 any king + trump's Queen;
     4th step - 4 any keycards.
     then partner may sign-off or try Slam or bid a Specific Suit Ask (SSA)
where: step1 = third-round control => Qxx or xx or Ax)
             step2 = second-round control => Kxx(x)
             step3 = Kx
             raise to the ask-suit => KQx
             jump in trump suit => singleton
             return to trump suit => no third control xxx(x)
Example1:
Suppose Opener = AJxxx Kxx Ax Axx
         Responder = KQxx AQx Kxxx x
Opener Responder
1        4 <= splinter (singleton or void in Clubs)
   ?
4 <= will be sign-off
4nt <= RKB1430 but even the best answer in 2 keycards with Queen is not clear to bid Slam. So Opener decide to show his controls bidding the 3th step (excluding 4 4nt)
5 <= showing a good hand 3A+1K
........... ? then Responder may
........... 5 <= sign-off or
........... 6 <= bid Slam or
........... 5 <= bid a Specific Suit Ask in to pass if answer is 5
5nt <= step2 shows Kxx so Slam is possible
........... 6 <= good Slam
pass

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Example2:
Opener Resp   Opener Resp            explanation
1nt     2(1)    AQ     KJ10xxx (1) transfer
2      4(2)    10xx 3             (2) splinter and 6+ cards
4nt      5(3)   KQxx  Axx         (3) zero or 3 keycards
  6       pass     KQxx   Axx
Note: if Responder has only 6 and only one more ace then he will make a sign-off transfer at level 4, thus this splinter is an invitation for possible Slam and this splinter fits!

Example3:
Opener Resp   Opener Resp            explanation
1nt     2(1)    Axx     KQJ10xx (1) transfer
2      4(2)    Kxxx Axx          (2) splinter and 6 cards
5(3) 6         Axx     x           (3) third step 3A+1K and no Queen
  pass   .......      A10x   KJx
Note: Although Opener was 1nt with 15 hcp the splinter fits the hand and the hand has good top honors. The chances are near 69% with 36% for Hearts 3-3 more 50% in the Clubs finesse and also 2,42% for a singleton Queen in clubs. Also a squeed is possible against Hearts and Clubs.

Example4:
Opener Resp   Opener Resp           explanation
1nt     2(1)   KQJx                 (1) transfer
2      3(2)   Jx       AQxxxx  (2) splinter spades with 6 cards
3nt(3) pass AQxx   Kxx      (3) strong spades stoppers
....................   Kxx     Axx

Note: hand does not fits KQJx - x
Example5:
Opener Resp   Opener Resp            explanation
1nt     2(1)   Jx      AKxxxx     (1) transfer
2       4(2)   KQJx 3               (2) splinter and 6 cards
4       pass   AQxx  K84
...............        QJx     Kxx
Note: hand does not fits

Example6:
Opener Resp   Opener   Resp            explanation
1nt     2(1)    Kxx     Ax           (1) transfer
2      4(2)   Kx     AQJxxxx   (2) splinter and 6 cards
4nt(3) 5(4)   AKxxx x              (3) take charge - RKB1430
  6       pass      K10x   Qxxx       (4) 2 keycards with Queen
Note: the opener's hand is compose by Ace and Kings that is
the principals controls for make tricks and the AKxxx - x have
62% in a 4-3 division big chance to find 3 tricks here.

Example7:
Opener Resp   Opener Resp        explanation
1     4(1)  AJ98xx Kxxx    (1) splinter
4(2) 4(3)  QJ10   Kxxx    (2) 2 keycard with Queen =10 cards
pass             Axx      x         (3) sign-off missing 2 keycards
..............        x           KQJx
Note: the splinter fits but missing 2 keycard