22. All About Jump-Shifts

A jump-shift is a jump bid of a new suit. For example 1♥ – 3♣ is a jump-shift because a bid of 3♣ is a jump over 1♥. In understanding the meaning of such a bid we must recognize the situation. Specifically,

• Is the jump bid by the opener or the responder?

• If by responder, has responder previously passed or not?

• Has there been competition?

• Does the bid have another meaning already?

Weak Jump-Shifts

If there has been competition between the opener and the responder, a jump shift is preemptive. It is also possible to agree that any jump shift that has no other meaning is weak, even without competition (“Weak Jump-Shifts”). In the body of this book, we assume that “weak jump-shifts not in competition” is our agreement.

Bidding 3 of a minor over a major opening without competition is a special case. The standard meaning is six cards in the minor, invitational. Other agreements are common but should be alerted.

For example:

• 1♣ – (1♦) – 2♥ shows a hand with weak values, not interest in game, with six hearts. No alert is required.

• 1♥ – (X) – 3♣ shows a hand with weak values, not interested in game, with 6 (or more) clubs. No alert is required.

• (1♣) – P – (1♥) – 2♠ is preemptive, 6 (or more) spades. No alert required.

• If 1♣ – 2♠ is preemptive, alert it.

• 1♥ – 3♣ is six clubs, invitational – one of the exceptions.

A jump-shift could also be a conventional bid, such as a Bergen raise.

Now let’s consider the auction with no interference.

Strong Jump-Shifts

A jump-shift shows, in standard bidding, a 19+ HCP hand. Since slam is in the air, the bidder is not worried about getting too high, he’s worried about getting in an awkward situation where partner might pass. Examples are 1♣︎ - 2♦︎, 1♦︎ - 2♠︎. You have to agree about 1M - 3m but most do not play those as strong since appropriate hands are infrequent.

When the responder is a passed hand, the strong jump-shift shows that the hand has now gotten better so that we should be close to game. The weak version attempts to stop the auction at a low spot.

That’s the old-fashioned Goren jump-shift. However, you don’t often have such a powerhouse. Most of the time when you do, 2/1 bids can get you where you want to go. Thus the utility of the jump-shift came into question.

Good players remain divided on the issue: weak? strong? or something else? It is up to you and your partner.

Some jump shifts, by the way, are a little hard to spot, particularly 1♥ – 2♠. Feel sorry for your partner when he goofs.

See Soloway Jump-Shifts for a strong but not so strong alternative.