Thursday, April 1

Whew, caught up!  :)

We added to our understanding of how to raise partner with a big Major fit tonight by learning SPLINTERS and JACOBY 2NT.

Both of these bids have in common that they promise at least 4 CARD SUPPORT for partner's opening Major and at least a GAME FORCING hand.

SPLINTERS are double-jumps to show shortness (singleton or void), with the 4c+ support and 12-15 HCP.

ex:  1H - 4D = 4c Hearts, 12-15 HCP, 0 or 1 Diamonds

Followups tend to be natural cuebids showing Aces or just signing off in game with no further slam interest.

JACOBY 2NT also promises 4c support and a game forcing hand, but generally now asks the opener to further describe his hand.  Followups are:

3-level:  SHORTNESS (singleton or void)

4-level:  5-CARD SUIT, 2/3 honors (a source of tricks, probably a better suit than the one you opened!)

3 of our suit:  more than a minimum opener (prob 15+ HCP), no shortness, but wants to hear about Aces

3N:  control-rich minimum (lots of Aces and Kings)

4 of our suit:  minimum opener, no slam interest

Both of these conventions will get us to game, but are really especially useful to find out about slams that might work becuase of SHAPE rather than pure power.

:)