Strong "Soloway" Jump Shifts
Since a strong jump shift takes up so much bidding space, it behooves us
to restrict the types of hands which can make one. In all cases, Responder
should be uncertain as to the final level of the contract, because we are
trying to enlist Opener's assistance.
Responder has one of three types of hands:
- A two suited hand with good support for Opener's suit
- A balanced hand
- A one suited hand with a self-sufficient suit
After Responder's initial jump shift, Opener should usually bid the
next step which is a relay asking for Responder's clarification. If Opener
doesn't, it should imply extreme distribution. In particular, Responder
should interpret the cheapest NT bid as replacing the relay suit. Example:
1♥-3♦-3NT would imply extreme length in hearts, while 3♥ is the relay.
After the Relay
Responder will now clarify the type of hand held, according to the following
rules:
- The balanced hand always bids 3NT, F1.
- 3OM, when available, shows the one-suited hand, otherwise rebid the
suit at the 4 level, F1.
- 3M, when available, shows the two-suited hand with support, GF.
Otherwise a 4 level bid is a control bid implying the two-suited hand
(but note rule 2). 4M is NF.
Example Table
- B = balanced
- 1 = one-suited (i.e. self-sufficient suit)
- 2 = two-suited (i.e. fit for Opener's suit)
| Relay | 3♦ | 3♥ | 3♠ | 3NT | 4♣ | 4♦ | 4♥ | 4♠ |
|---|
| 1♥-2NT-3♣* |
| 2 | 1 |
B |
| | | |
|---|
| 1♥-3♣-3♦ |
-- | 2 | 1 |
B |
| | | |
|---|
| 1♥-3♦-3♥ |
-- | -- | 1 |
B |
2 | 2 | 2 | |
|---|
| 1♠-3♣-3♦ |
-- | 1 | 2 |
B |
| | | |
|---|
| 1♠-3♦-3♥ |
-- | -- | 2 |
B |
| 1 | | |
|---|
| 1♠-3♥-3♠ |
-- | -- | -- |
B |
2 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
|---|
* - assuming you invert the meanings of 2♠ and 2NT over a 1♥ opener,
meaning 2NT is the SJS with spades.