Opener's Jump-shift by David Bird

A: 2♣. A jump-shift by the opener is game-forcing. It is quite a rare action. With this 17-HCP hand and no fit having been established, you cannot guarantee a game. You should rebid just 2♣ and await partner's next move. If he passes, it is very unlikely that you will have missed a game.

(It is a common mistake by new players to rebid 3♣ on such a hand, thinking that they must show 'more than a minimum'.)

Your result so far:

A: 3♦. Now you are worth a jump-shift. You have 19 HCP, so it is reasonable to expect there to be a playable game somewhere.

Your result so far:

A: 2♥. When partner has responded at the two-level, a simple rebid in a new suit is forcing. There is absolutely no need to jump the bidding. Indeed, you should be anxious to save bidding space, so that you can hear as much about partner's hand as possible.

Your result so far:

A: 1♠. Again, you do not have enough to guarantee a game contract. You should rebid at the minimum level.

If your partner has a minimum response and four spades, they will raise to 2♠. If instead they rebid 1NT or 2♦, you will bid again to indicate that you are strong and still interested in game.

Your result so far:

A: 3♠. Partner has shown a very strong opener. If you had to guess immediately at the final contract, you would doubtless think of 6♠. However, there is absolutely no need for you to guess now. Just set spades as the trump suit and begin a leisurely investigation with your partner.

Over your 3♠, he might bid 4♣ to show a club control. You would then bid 4♥ to show a heart control but no diamond control. It is still possible that the defenders can cash the ♦A K against a slam. If partner doesn't hold any sort of diamond control, you will then be able to avoid reaching 6♠ with two top losers.

Your result so far:

A: 3♣. This is the second type of hand on which a jump-shift may be justified. You do not hold 19 HCP, but you have sufficient distribution to want to force to game.

Your result so far: