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Jump in the opponent’s suit


Note that this page refers to the immediate bid in the opponents’ suit.  The situation will be quite different once responder has spoken.


Two-suited


If you play a system of two-suited overcalls then it is likely that at least one bid at the three-level will be used as a part of that system.

Usually such a bid will be either 3 or 3.

For most partnerships this bid will carry the same meaning whether or not it is in the opponents’ suit, thus if for example 3 has been allocated the meaning of two non-adjacent suits, then it will show diamonds and spades whether the opponents open 1 or 1.

This allocation will carry precedence over any alternative meaning suggested below.

A Q T 7 6

5

A K 8 4 3

6 2

Opponents open 1♣.

Bid 3 - showing the 5-5 shape in diamonds and spades.

K Q

4

A K Q J 8 5 3 2

K Q

Opponents open 1.

Bid 3.

Partner will bid 3NT with a heart stop.  Otherwise he will bid 3 and you will correct to 4.

Note that 5 might well fail to three immediate losers.

Not two-suited


Jump bids in the opponents’ suit which do not specify a two-suited holding are something of a rarity.

It is perfectly possible to live a long and happy bridge life at a high level without ever assigning a meaning to such a bid, and to be honest, for most of us that is my recommendation.  It is one of those specialist bids for specialist situations which will scarcely ever occur, and which meanwhile is taking up valuable space in your ever-decreasing memory banks.


You can specify almost anything you like by agreement with your partner.  Just make sure it is a hand-type which you will be happy to declare at at least the three-level and that it is clearly explained to your opponents.


But if you really want to find an interpretation from the expert world then this is the most likely.


The running suit


Your first thought when you pick up a running suit - particularly if it is a minor - is to play in no trumps.

But of course, you hardly dare to bid 3NT without a stop in the suit bid by your opponents.

The solution is the jump cue-bid, asking partner to bid 3NT with a stop in the opponents suit.  Failing such a holding he will usually bid the next suit up and you will correct to your running suit at the four-level.

The following example is made up and rather extreme, but it makes the point.

Intermediate and above

Advanced

Context - overcaller - opponents opened one of a suit (natural).

This page last revised 29th Jul 2020