Strong Jump Shifts

A strong jump shift is a response to an opening bid of 1, 1, 1, or 1. A jump to a new suit at the 2-level (e.g. 1 : 2) or 3-level (e.g. 1 : 3) shows 17-19 points and a single-suited hand. Responder should have a 5+ card suit that contains at least 5 HCP. This is forcing to game.

In traditional methods like Goren, a strong jump shift might show 19+ points. However, the 17-19 point range is designed to help opener gauge slam prospects. As an example:

		Opener			Responder
		92			AKJ765
		AKJ32			6
		J94			AK3
		K65			Q32
		Opener 1 2NT (2) 4 (4)			Responder 2 (1) 3 (3) Pass

1. Strong jump shift
2. Natural, indicating a balanced 12-14 points
3. At least a 6+ card suit
4. Signing off

After hearing a strong jump shift response, opener's rebids are:

Rebid	Meaning
Raising partner's suit	At least 3-card support. This is opener's first priority. A raise below game invites slam exploration, namely through cuebidding. On the other hand, a jump raise to game is a signoff. This is in keeping with the principle of fast arrival, whereby "fast" auctions to game indicate a lack of slam interest.
Rebidding his own suit	At least a 6-card suit. May have minimum strength.
Any new suit	Natural, at least a 4-card suit. May have minimum strength.
2NT	Natural with a balanced 12-14 points.
3NT	Opposite a 2-level response, this shows a balanced 15-17 points. Opposite a 3-level jump shift, this shows a balanced 12-14 points.

		Opener			Responder
		Q987			T5
		J92			AKQ43
		Q5			AKJ
		AK53			T84
		Opener 1 4 (2)			Responder 2 (1) Pass

1. Strong jump shift
2. Signoff

		Opener			Responder
		AJ982			74
		8			AQ7
		5			AKJ8632
		AJT865			Q
		Opener 1 2 3 Pass			Responder 2 (1) 3 (2) 3NT (3)

1. Strong jump shift
2. Showing a 6+ card suit
3. The practical bid with a heart stopper and no trump fit

• Strong jump shifts should not be made with two-suiters, such as 5-5 shape. Such a hand should start with a simple response in the higher ranking suit, intending to rebid the lower one.

• In competition, weak jump shifts are more practical. After an enemy takeout double, for instance, it's highly unlikely that responder will be looking at 17+ points.