PART 8 (Opener's Jump after 1 of a MAJOR-2 CLUBS)
In recent months we've been discussing the 2 response to 1-of-a-major. Last month, we covered Opener's rebid when he did not jump. This month we examine opener's jump.

So, our auction is:

 

West	North	East
1	Pass	2
JUMP

or

 

West	North	East
1	Pass	2
JUMP

Recall that opener should generally avoid jumping. Opener's job is to show his shape. Put another way: Opener's rebid says nothing about strength; he is to describe his pattern. Game is already a given; the new priority is: "What's trump?" The partnership is trying to find out what the trump fit is at as low a level as possible. Once the trump fit is found (or it is determined there is no 8-card fit), then and only then should strength be addressed. Locate the fit (or notrump) and then with extras, look for slam.

That said, opener "never" jumps solely because he has extra strength. Opener's jump is used for special hands and should be defined specifically.

Opener's Jump Rebid. Let's start with the auction where opener jump rebids his suit. He opens, say, 1 and after partner's, say, 2 response, jump rebids 3. Here are the possible auctions we are discussing:

1-2-3 or 1-2-3 or 1-2-3 or 1-2-3 or 1-2-3.

In all cases, opener is showing a "solid" 6+ card suit. This means that opposite a void, the suit can be expected to run. Accordingly, AKQ-empty is not "solid." Opener must have AKQJxx or longer. Some pairs agree that the suit can be missing the ace (which will always be locatable with Blackwood), so KQJ10xx or longer is "solid." What the jump really means is: "Partner, my suit is trump."

What about the strength shown? This does not have a universal answer. Some players/teachers require the jump to show extras. I prefer that it doesn't guarantee extras. All the jump says is: "My suit is trump--if you have slam interest, make a control-bid for me."

So, I would jump rebid 3 after partner's 2/1 response with as little as: A K Q J 8 6
Q 6 4
6 5
8 6
. After opener's 3 jump, responder can bid 3NT (to play) or raise to 4-of-the major. With extras, responder can bid any other suit at the 4-level. This would show his cheapest control (remember that opener's major is already set as trump).  So, this auction:

 

West	North	East	South
1	Pass	2	Pass
3	Pass	4

shows a club control (the ace or king) and a non-minimum, maybe something like: 6 2
A K 7 6
6 5
A K J 5 2
. Opener would now bid 4 with diamonds controlled, and then responder would likely use RKC. If responder wants to play in clubs (or rebid clubs naturally), tough luck. Spades are trump.

Note: Opener's jump rebid to four of his major, should probably be avoided--it takes up too much space.

Splinter Bids (Opener Jump-Shifts)Because opener should not ever jump in a new suit to show extras, common expert practice is to treat opener's jump-shift as a splinter bid. That means opener has trump support (at least 4) for the responder's suit. He jumps in his short (0 or 1) suit. So:

 

1-2-3 : Splinter bid 4+ and 0 or 1  (Strength is not known yet)
1-2-3:  Splinter bid 4+ and 0 or 1 (Strength is not known yet)

1-2-3:  Splinter bid 4+ and 0 or 1  (Strength is not known yet)
1-2-3:  Splinter bid 4+ and 0 or 1 (Strength is not known yet)
1-2-3:  Splinter bid 4+ and 0 or 1 (Strength is not known yet)

Notes:

1) Never jump shift into a "natural" suit. With extra strength and a second suit, just bid the second suit on the 2-level--and worry about slam later.

2) Splinter bids can be made with a minimum hand. You are already forced to game, so just show your fit and your shortness. If the splinter bidder has extras, he can always look for slam later.

3) Whereas normal splinters are a "double jump," these 2/1 splinters are only single jumps. Just remember "no natural jump shifts" and it is easy to handle. (The splinter could be on the 4-level, for example: 1-2-4 or 1-2-4).

4) Never make these splinter bids with only 3-card support.

5) If you (or your partner) can't handle/remember these splinter bids, just don't make them.

Example of opener's Splinter Bid:

 AQJ76  
 K32  
 6  
 QJ72
 

After 1-2, opener jumps to 3.

Opener's Jumps in Notrump. What would it mean if opener jumped to 3NT in an auction such as:

West	North	East	South
1	Pass	2	Pass
3NT

 

I prefer to avoid such a space-eating bid. What range can 3NT possibly be showing? If opener had 15-17 balanced, he would have opened 1NT. With 12-14 balanced he would have rebid 2NT. I prefer that with 18-19 he also rebid 2NT (and make a strong move later). If you want to define the jump to 3NT as a specific range, and you and your partner can remember it, then do so at your own risk. I prefer not to make such an indelicate bid before we know the trump suit.

Summary of Opener's Jumps after a 2/1 response to 1-of-a-Major

Jump rebid: Solid suit, no extras promised

Jump shift: Splinter bid, no extras promised

Jump to 3NT: Don't do it.

 
QUIZ

What would you rebid as opener after 1-2-??

A) K J 8 7 6 2 A Q
A 6 5
A 2

B) A K Q 6 5 2
A 3
K Q 2
7 2

C) A K Q J 7 4
K 6 2
9 8 6
2

D) A Q J 5 3
K 8 5 4
A K Q
4

E) J 7 6 5 4
K Q J
6
A Q 6 5

F) A K 6 5 2
A K 2
A 9 2
7 6

G) K Q 9 8 7 3 2
K 6
A 2
A J

H) A K Q J 10 9 8
J 7
J 7
J 6


Answers:

A) 2.  Do not jump without a solid suit. You will unleash your strength later. Just show the 6th spade for now.

B) 2. Same as A -- do not set this suit as trumps (you belong in 6 facing: 3
J 7
A J 3
K Q J 10 9 8 6
)
C) 3. Shows 6+ card solid suit.

D) 2. Natural. Don't jump to 3 (a splinter bid). You will unleash your strength later--find out what is trump first.

E) 3. Perfect Splinter Bid.
F) 2NT. Shows 12-14 or 18-19 balanced. If partner raises to 3NT, you will bid 4NT, quantitative to show 18-19.

G) 2. As usual, no jumping without a solid suit.

H) 3. They don't get any more solid than this!

Next month:   How does a 2 or 2 response change anything we've discussed so far? 

Larry's 2/1 Workbook

BMS 2/1 Webinars by Michael Berkowitz

Larry's audio presentation to the ABTA on 2/1 GF in New Orleans, 2010