Rule of Twenty-Six or Rule of 26

or Twenty-Six Small Slam Splinter Rule - TSSSSR
Submitted by Mr. Harold Schogger

Mr. Harold Schogger, who is represented on the Internet at many and various sites, submitted the following Rule of 26, or the TSSSSR, as a contribution to bring this information to the visitors of Bridge Guys. We are thankful to Mr. Harold Schogger and appreciate his contribution very much. We have included this Rule of 26 verbatim and have changed nothing.

The visitor can also find Mr. Harold Schogger on the Internet. He holds a Professional Teachers’ Diploma from the English Bridge Union and is also a member of the International Bridge Press Association.

Rule of 26

If your partner makes a splinter bid if you can add up all your points outside the splinter suit and it comes to 26 or more you should consider bidding a slam.

For example:

West		East
AK873 43 AQ65 43		QJ65 AK652 K83 7
1		4

Then West should immediately add his points outside the splinter suit to a known guarantee of 13-15 points. Since his points total 13 and his partner is promising 13-15, then he knows the total is 26 and he should immediately be interested in a slam as 6 Spades is an easy make. West should therefore make suitable overtures either by cuebidding or Ace asking.

However if the hands are now as follows:

West		East
AK873 43 Q2 KQ62		QJ65 AK652 K83 7
1		4

Now you add your points outside the splinter suit (i.e. only 9) to the guaranteed 13 and now the total only amounts to 22. And although you now have 27 points between the two hands the slam is now impossible.

 

 

If you wish to include this feature, or any other feature, of the game of bridge in your partnership agreement, then please make certain that the concept is understood by both partners. Be aware whether or not the feature is alertable or not and whether an announcement should or must be made. Check with the governing body and/or the bridge district and/or the bridge unit prior to the game to establish the guidelines applied. Please include the particular feature on your convention card in order that your opponents are also aware of this feature during the bidding process, since this information must be made known to them according to the Laws of Duplicate Contract Bridge. We do not always include the procedure regarding Alerts and/or Announcements, since these regulations are changed and revised during time by the governing body. It is our intention only to present the information as concisely and as accurately as possible.