Monday, September 18, 2006 1:35 PM


Hand Evaluation  - Systemic ( Fit Showing Jumps )

 

PITBULLS:

 

            Fit showing jumps as a passed hand are now part of Bridge World Standard. They make perfect sense as your weak two’s have already been bid & splinters as a passed hand are ludicrous. These fit showing jumps are especially good when partner opens a minor in 3rd or 4th seat. The only rules are that the bid is a jump shift meaning the best passed hand possible and show values concentrated in the jumped suit. NT by opener always asks for the stiff & a simple raise of the major is forcing. C’est tout.

 

            I like fit showing jumps in another place also. I play a 2/1 over a major as non forcing to game. Therefore,  there is no reason for a forcing 1NT followed by a jump bid. This opens up the bid as a splinter or a fit showing jump. I prefer the latter.

 

            Showing a strong minor raise after a forcing NT has always been a problem. A fit showing jump helps & it is clearly better than an artificial 2♠ after a 1♥ opener or an artificial 2♥ bid requiring a relay.

 

            Showing a strong heart raise after a spade opener & a 2♥ rebid has been a problem ( other than leaping to game ) as slam is still possible.  Here are some examples of a fit showing jump in action.

 

1♠-P-1NT-P

2♣-P-3♦-P     ♠void ♥xx ♦AQxxxx ♣J987x         grand slam possible opposite ♠J10xxx ♥Ax ♦Kx ♣AKxx

 

1♠-P-1NT-P

2♦-P-3♥-P        ♠xx ♥KQJx ♦Axxxx ♣xx              slam opposite ♠AKxxx ♥Axx ♦KQxx ♣x

 

1♠-P-1NT-P

2♥-P-4♦-P       ♠xx ♥Axxxx ♦KQJx ♣xx                slam opposite  ♠AKxxx ♥KQxx ♦Axx ♣x

 

1♠-P-1NT-P

2♠-P-4♣-P     ♠Axx ♥xx ♦xxx ♣KQJxx                   slam opposite ♠KQxxx ♥Axx ♦x ♣Axx

 

 

            Fit showing jumps have the advantage of alternative game contracts especially 3NT .

 

1♥-P-1NT-P

2♦-P-3♠-P

3NT                       ♠KQJ ♥xx ♦Axxxx ♣xxx            opposite ♠x ♥AQxxx ♦KQxx ♣A10x ( avoids 5♦ )

 

 

            Here is an auction from a Bermuda Bowl where they got to 3♣ where 6♣ for +1370 was cold. They opened 1♥ on ♠x ♥Axxxx ♦KQx ♣Axxx , partner bid a forcing NT with ♠xx  ♥x ♦Axxxx ♣KQxxx . At one table they bid 3♣ which was passed out & at the other table t hey bid 2♠ showing a strong club raise which got converted to 3♣ passed out. Our auction over the 2♣ rebid is 3♦ , a fit showing jump. This is followed by a 3♠ Q bid so on to 6♣ . Vive la difference !