Weak Jump Shifts
A weak jump shift is a jump response to an opening bid of
,
,
,
. : 2) : 3),- They occur more frequently than 17-19 point hands, and
- Strong jump shifts gobble up valuable slam exploration space. If playing weak jump shifts, then 17-19 point suit-oriented hands get absorbed into natural 1- and 2-level responses (e.g.
1 However, this obviously adds extra meaning and burden to those bids. : 2).
| Opener | Responder | ||||
| 92 | AT8765 | ||||
| AKJ32 | 6 | ||||
| JT42 | 865 | ||||
| AT | 532 | ||||
Opener 1 Pass |
Responder 2 (1) |
- Weak jump shift
Opener's Rebids
Opener usually passes unless holding a strong hand and/or good support for partner.- Pass - Could be a strong hand with a misfit.
- Rebidding his own suit - Shows at least a 7-card suit. Non-forcing.
- Raising partner's suit - Any single, double (or even triple) raise is natural and non-forcing. Responder is not expected to bid again.
- Any new suit - Natural, usually at least a 5+ card suit with extra hand strength. A new suit bid by opener is non-forcing. However, responder is allowed to either raise, or correct to opener's original suit. Responder should not make the mistake of rebidding his own suit.
- 2NT - A forcing game try, implying at least doubleton support for responder's suit. This is similar to a forcing 2NT response to an opening weak two bid. Responder must rebid his suit with a minimum. Bidding any other suit shows a maximum hand cooperating with opener's game try.
Examples
| Opener | Responder | ||||
| AKQ42 | 5 | ||||
| J92 | 73 | ||||
| 5 | KQT8652 | ||||
| KJ32 | T83 | ||||
Opener 1 Pass |
Responder 3 (1) |
- Weak jump shift
| Opener | Responder | ||||
| AQ32 | 654 | ||||
| A43 | QJT765 | ||||
| J | 86 | ||||
| A9875 | 63 | ||||
Opener 1 2NT (2) Pass |
Responder 2 (1)3 (3) |
- Weak jump shift
- Artificial, forcing game try
- Signoff
| Opener | Responder | ||||
| KQ42 | AT8765 | ||||
| AKJ32 | 6 | ||||
| K2 | 865 | ||||
| A9 | 532 | ||||
Opener 1 4 (2) |
Responder 2 (1)Pass |
- Weak jump shift
- Opener bids game with a massive supporting hand
Other Considerations
- After a 1/ opening, weak jump shifts should be avoided if responder has the strength to make a raise. Raising partner's major suit takes priority.
- Weak jump shifts are on in competition.
- Pairs who employ Bergen raises cannot use weak jump shifts after a
1 opening./ - Pairs who use splinter bids should agree when a double-jump bid is a weak jump shift or a splinter. This particularly holds true in competitive auctions, e.g.
In this auction, 3West North East South Pass 1 2 3 could show a weak hand with 7 spades... or it could be a spade void with heart support. Needless to say, a misunderstanding invites catastrophe.