Fragment bid

Main articles: Contract bridge, Bidding system, Bridge convention, and Glossary of contract bridge terms

Developed by Monroe Ingberman, a fragment bid is a bidding convention used in the card game contract bridge. It is an unusual jump rebid, usually a double jump, by either the opener or the responder which shows a fit with partner’s suit and shortage, either a singleton or void, in the fourth suit.

Although analogous to splinter bids, fragment bids differ in that they require the naming of a suit held rather than the short suit itself. Partnership agreement is required on the details of either splinter or fragment bids and their continuations.

Examples

Fragment bid by opener

North	South
1♠	2♦
4♥

The 4♥ rebid by opener is a fragment bid; it is double jump showing two or three cards in the fragment suit (hearts), a singleton or void in clubs and support for partner's diamond suit.

Fragment bids by responder

North	South
1♣	1♥
1♠	4♣

The 4♣ bid is a fragment bid showing support for spades and shortness in the unbid suit, diamonds.

North	South
1♣	1♥
1♠	4♦

When three suits have been bid naturally, a double jump in the fourth suit is a fragment bid. The 4♦ bid shows support for partner's last bid suit (spades) and a singleton in his first suit (clubs).

North	South
1♣	1♥
1♠	4♦
4♠	5♣

If the fragment bidder rebids the suit in which he has promised shortness, he shows a void; in this case in clubs.

See also

• Splinter bid