Implied raise

Implied Raise

Two Kinds. Implied raises are bid in two special situations. Both are actually strong trump raises. "Strong" trump support is defined as any four trump or three to a major honor -- Q, K, or A.

- With strong trump support and a balanced hand, we respond 3NT*.
- With a strong trump raise and a singleton, we use a Splinter Bid - four of the singleton or void suit.

Example Strong 3NT Response:

N

E

S

1©

P

3NT*

13+ HCP and 3 good trump or any four trump - a Strong Trump Raise.

4¨

P

4N

A Diamond Ace Cue bid.

5©

P

6©

Blackwood and the Heart slam.

North

South

ª xx ª KJx

© AQJxx © Kxx

¨ AQx ¨ xxx

§ KJx § AQxx

Example Splinter Bid Sequence

N E S

1© P 4§* Shows an opening hand, 4 trump and a singleton Club -- a Splinter bid.

4© P P However, North is happy with just game this time because a Club singleton doesn't help him.

North South

ª xxx ª AJxx

© KQxxx © AJxx

¨ Ax ¨Kxxx

§ KQx § x

N	E	S
1©	P	3NT*	13+ HCP and 3 good trump or any four trump - a Strong Trump Raise.
4¨	P	4N	A Diamond Ace Cue bid.
5©	P	6©	Blackwood and the Heart slam.

North	South
ª xx	ª KJx
© AQJxx	© Kxx
¨ AQx	¨ xxx
§ KJx	§ AQxx

N	E	S
1©	P	4§*	Shows an opening hand, 4 trump and a singleton Club -- a Splinter bid.
4©	P	P	However, North is happy with just game this time because a Club singleton doesn't help him.

North	South
ª xxx	ª AJxx
© KQxxx	© AJxx
¨ Ax	¨Kxxx
§ KQx	§ x