August 8, 2003 4:34 PM

Hand Evaluation – Systemic ( Recovering the SJS )

PITBULLS:

The strong jump shift by responder is the dinosaur of Bridge so has been replaced by the WJS & 4^th suit forcing. However , the strong jump shift by responder had its use especially to set the suit immediately & to show the slam intentions. There are not enough bids in Bridge that concentrate on the quality of the suit. We seem to be more hung up on HCP’s . Bridge is a game of suits so good suits should be acknowledged. With the weak jump shift inferences that a suit rebid by responder is invitational , we can assign a meaning to jump rebids by responder. These can be the solid suit type strong jump shift hands. So in effect , we are “recovering” the useful form of the strong jump shift response of the old days.. If we choose to go the 4^th suit forcing route or XYZ , we can show the rock without the good suit.

1♣-P-1♦-P

1♥-P-3♦ Strong Jump Shift

1♣-P-1♥-P

1♠-P-2♦-P

2NT-P-3♥ Broken suit

1♣-P-1♥-P

1♠-P-3♥-P SJS good suit

1♣-P-1♦-P