{"id":2987,"date":"2012-07-25T23:22:49","date_gmt":"2012-07-26T07:22:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.bridgehands.com\/bridgeblog\/?p=2987"},"modified":"2012-09-04T22:32:01","modified_gmt":"2012-09-05T06:32:01","slug":"polling-you-79-strong-jump-shifts-suit-quality-losing-trick-count-cover-cards","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bridgehands.com\/bridgeblog\/?p=2987","title":{"rendered":"Polling You # 79, Strong Jump Shifts, Suit Quality, Losing Trick Count, Cover Cards"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2>Strong Jump Shifts: Suit Quality, Self-Sustaining Suits, Losing Trick Count<\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><script type=\"text\/javascript\" language=\"JavaScript\" src=\"http:\/\/survey.constantcontact.com\/poll\/a07e66uzbdrh53hx94s\/start.js?v=1&amp;w=300\">\/\/ <![CDATA[\n\n\n\/\/ ]]><\/script><\/p>\n<p><noscript><\/noscript><strong><\/strong><a href=\"http:\/\/survey.constantcontact.com\/poll\/a07e5wq5yjph206k8zm\/start.html\">Click here if you experience problems responding to the poll<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Greetings Bridge Friends<\/strong><strong>,<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Special Note: <em><strong>BridgeHands<\/strong><\/em> is committed to keep up with the latest internet industry practices, including the ability to view our videos on mobile and portable devices.\u00a0 Accordingly, for videos going forward we will be supporting the new &#8220;HTML 5&#8221; format.\u00a0 This means for Polling You episodes #79 and beyond, you can watch our videos on your iPhone, iPad, Android or similar devices supporting the latest video standards.<\/p>\n<p>Marching forward with our lessons on Losing Trick Count\/Cover Cards and Self-Sustaining Suits\/Suit Quality, it\u2019s time to delve into bidding where we have strong hands with unbalanced shape.\u00a0 Sure, we all love picking up a hand with nearly half the points in the deck, yet it can be a bidding challenge when holding a shapely hand with most of the points in two suits.\u00a0 So what\u2019s a player to do?\u00a0 Let\u2019s consider how the strong jump shift can help the opener eloquently describe their hand and drive towards a game contract.\u00a0 But first, we have a bit of sad news. While our recent three lessons Losing Trick Count and Cover Cards has served us well, we cannot <em><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">always<\/span><\/em> use LTC\/CC hand evaluation criteria to immediately count our winners and losers.\u00a0 Of course as we\u2019ve previously seen, when you do hold a semi self-sustaining suit then by all means go right ahead and begin using LTC (but use caution when both are minor suits).<\/p>\n<p>The following link is accessible to all visitors (Members see below):<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/bridgehands-videos.s3.amazonaws.com\/Polling_You_79_Part_5_Teaser_Non-Members_800x450\/Teaser_Non-Members_800x450.html\">Click here to view Teaser for Non-Members in <em>standard resolution<em> (800&#215;450)<\/em><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The following links are accessible by those subscribing to <strong><em>BridgeHands<\/em><\/strong> Premium Membership:<br \/>\nPlease login or register to view this content.<em><br \/>\n<\/em>\u00a0Please login or register to view this content.<\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s take a moment for a brief review:<\/p>\n<p>Highlights \u2013 Losing Trick Count and Cover Cards<\/p>\n<p>&#8211;\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Prerequisite: 8+ card trump fit or self-sustaining suit<br \/>\n&#8211;\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ace-King-Queen are not losers in 3+ card suits (except Q x x in a side suit)<br \/>\n&#8211;\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Generally, fourth card and beyond are not losers<br \/>\n&#8211;\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 LTC \u2013 CC equals losers, as 6 LTC \u2013 3 CC = 3 losers (major suit game)<br \/>\n&#8211;\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Extras: 5+4 trump, working Queens and Jacks, shortness<\/p>\n<p>Trump Fit or Self-Sustaining Suit<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>LTC is normally a 5-3 or longer major suit fit<\/li>\n<li>Occasionally one player has a long, strong suit<\/li>\n<li>We need an independent method to determine the suit quality and LTC when one player has a long, strong suit<\/li>\n<li>When evaluating Suit Quality, we generally assume partner may hold a singleton to ascertain the losers (LTC) in a long suit<\/li>\n<li>Adjust the above when partner bids Notrump, indicating 2+ card support<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Self-Sustaining Suit and Suit Quality<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Limited to 1 loser when partner holds a singleton<\/li>\n<li>Reserved for situations when a player holds a long, strong suit<\/li>\n<li>Suit Quality equals the number of useful honors plus the suit length<\/li>\n<li>Self-Sustaining Suit usually equals a Suit Quality of 10 or more, lose 0-1 tricks<\/li>\n<li>Semi Self-Sustaining Suit equals a Suit Quality of 9, lose 1-2 tricks<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Self-Sustaining Suits \u2013 Examples where SQ = 10<\/p>\n<p>A K Q x x x x\u00a0 = 3+ honors + 7 length = 10+<br \/>\nA Q x x x x x x = 2 honors = 8 length = 10<br \/>\nA K Q J x = 4+ honors + 5 length = 9+<br \/>\nK Q J 10 x x = 4 honors (without Ace) + 6 length = 10<br \/>\nQ J 10 9 x x x = 3 honors + 7 length = 10ish (discount 1 missing Ace and King)<br \/>\nJ 10 9 8 x x x x = No! Inadequate with primary honors and Queen<\/p>\n<p>Semi Self-Sustaining Suits \u2013 Examples where SQ = 9<\/p>\n<p>A Q x x x x x = 2 honors + 7 length = 9<br \/>\nK Q J x x x = 3 honors + 6 length = 9<br \/>\nQ J 10 9 x x = 3 honors + 6 length = 9ish (body card 9 is helpful)<br \/>\nA K Q x x x = 3+ honors + 6 length = 9+ (count extra for top 3 honors in long suit)<\/p>\n<p>Please refer to our Lessons 76 \u2013 78 for more on LTC and Cover Card hand evaluation.<\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<p>Since Strong Jump Shifts by opener are easier to grasp than the somewhat mysterious Reverse bid, let\u2019s start here to begin our journey and consider Reverses in our next lesson.\u00a0\u00a0 Here are the criteria for opener\u2019s Strong Jump Shift:<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; 19-21 points \u2013 count distributional points with semi self-sustaining suit<br \/>\n&#8211; Responder conjures up a suit or Notrump bid showing 6+ points without showing a fit<br \/>\n&#8211; Imbalanced opener hand &#8211; Likely a two suited hand or perhaps all honors in two suits<br \/>\n&#8211; Thus, rebidding 3 Notrump is not appropriate \u2013 at least not from opener\u2019s perspective<br \/>\n&#8211; Opener shows a 4-5 Losing Trick Count hand, making a game forcing bid<br \/>\n&#8211; Opener\u2019s 3 level jump is in a lower ranking suit than opener\u2019s first suit*<br \/>\n* Exception \u2013 As we will see later, a 2 level \u201creverse jump\u201d also is a Strong Jump Shift<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Since opener is showing 19 \u2013 21 points and responder has 6+ points, the principle question is, \u201cPlay game (or higher) in Notrump or a major suit?\u201d\u00a0 In rare circumstances the partnership may play in a minor suit game or slam, such as when the pair has a 9+ card minor suit without a stopper in either major suit.\u00a0 Okay, let\u2019s take a look some hands and bidding.<\/p>\n<p>A K J x x\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 x x<br \/>\nA Q 10 x\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 K x x x<br \/>\nK Q x\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A x x<br \/>\nx\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 x x x x<\/p>\n<p>1S \u2013 1N;<br \/>\n3H \u2013 4H;\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Opener\u2019s Strong Jump Shift rebid at the 3 level is game forcing<\/p>\n<p>Q x x\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A x x x<br \/>\nA K Q x x\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 x x<br \/>\nx\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Q J 10 x<br \/>\nA K Q x\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 x x x<\/p>\n<p>1H \u2013 1S;<br \/>\n3C \u2013 3N;\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 After opener\u2019s Strong Jump Shift, responder bids 3 Notrump<br \/>\nwith stoppers in the remaining suits<\/p>\n<p>A Q x x\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 K 10 9<br \/>\nK Q x\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 x x x<br \/>\nx x\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 K x x x<br \/>\nA K Q x\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 x x x<\/p>\n<p>2N \u2013 3N;\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 With a balanced 3 suiter, opener should start bidding in Notrump<\/p>\n<p>x x\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1. K Q x x x\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2. x x<br \/>\nQ x\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 K x x\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A K x x<br \/>\nA K Q x x\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 x x\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 x x x x<br \/>\nA K Q x\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 x x x\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 x x x<\/p>\n<p>Lopsided honors in the minor suits makes for awkward bidding by the opener.\u00a0 With almost all of the points in the minors, careful bidding is a must.\u00a0 On the first hand a 3 Notrump contract should easily roll home.\u00a0 Not so on the second hand should the opponents lead the Spade suit.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Bottom line, with almost all of the points in the minor suits and no effective stoppers in either major suit, opener should not open 2 Notrump.<\/p>\nPlease login or register to view this content.<br \/>\nPlease login or register to view this content.<\/p>\n<p>&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;-<\/p>\n<p>The following link is accessible to all visitors (Members see below):<\/p>\n<p>Click here to view Teaser for Non-members in <em>standard resolution<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Click here to view Teaser for Free members in <em>standard resolution<\/em><\/p>\n<p>The following links are accessible by those subscribing to <strong><em>BridgeHands<\/em><\/strong> Premium Membership:<br \/>\nPlease login or register to view this content.<br \/>\nPlease login or register to view this content.<br \/>\nPlease login or register to view this content.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Thank you for attending our online Bridge virtual training class.\u00a0 We appreciate your support and look forward to supporting your Bridge instructional needs.<\/p>\n<p>Happy Bridge Trails,<\/p>\n<p>Michael<br \/>\n<em>BridgeHands<\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Strong Jump Shifts: Suit Quality, Self-Sustaining Suits, Losing Trick Count &nbsp; Click here if you experience problems responding to the poll Greetings Bridge Friends, Special Note: BridgeHands is committed to keep up with the latest internet industry practices, including the ability to view our videos on mobile and portable devices.\u00a0 Accordingly, for videos going forward [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[39],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bridgehands.com\/bridgeblog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2987"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bridgehands.com\/bridgeblog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bridgehands.com\/bridgeblog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bridgehands.com\/bridgeblog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bridgehands.com\/bridgeblog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2987"}],"version-history":[{"count":69,"href":"https:\/\/www.bridgehands.com\/bridgeblog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2987\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2992,"href":"https:\/\/www.bridgehands.com\/bridgeblog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2987\/revisions\/2992"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bridgehands.com\/bridgeblog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2987"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bridgehands.com\/bridgeblog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2987"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bridgehands.com\/bridgeblog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2987"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}