Jump-Shift Responses
In responding to opener's 1-level opening, a jump-shift can be strong, weak, or intermediate.:A variety of specifications exist for each, but below are common specs:
- Strong Jump Shift (e.g.: 1-2) = 17+ HC and 5+ card suit.
Opener's rebids:
- Raise to game = to play.
Raise below game = slam interest; invites cue bidding.
- Rebidding own suit = 6+ card suit, minimum strength.
- New suit = 4+ card suit; could be minimum
- 2N = balanced 12-14 HCP.
- 3N = 5-3-3-2 with 15-17 over a 2-level response, 12-14 over a 3-level response.
Soloway Strong Jump Shift
...used by responder with 3 different hand types.
- A 1-suited hand with 17+ HCP and a very strong suit..
- A good 5-card suit with strong 3+ card support for opener's suit and 17+ HCP.
- A balanced hand with 18-19 HCP. Jump in longest suit, even if a 4-card suit.
- Weak Jump Shift = 3-5 HCP, almost entrely in a 6+ card suit.
Even a 2-HPC hand in a 7+ card suit is acceptable.
- Constructive Jump Shift = 8-11 HCP with 6-card suit.
SAYC specifies a strong jump shift.
In competition,weak jump-shifts are more useful.
A good article is in November 2019 Bridge Bulletin, page 48.
Googling for "jump shift" did not turn up many consistent and thorough articles.
Almost nobody discussed constructive jump shifts.
In olden times, jump shifts were always strong. Today, it seems like a lot more club players
are using weak jump shifts than strong, but from game write-ups in magazines and newspapers, it appears that most top experts are using strong jump shifts.
Update: In the October 2019 Bridge Bulletin, p.50, Larry Cohen says "Most play responder's jump shifts as weak." This is in an article for "Newer Players", so it is unclear if he means most club players or most bridge players in general, including top experts.
Cohen goes on to say that he prefers to play jumps to a lower-ranking suit on the 3 level as showing 6 or more cards in the suit and 10-12 HCP.