Opener's Jump Rebids: Showing Extra Strength
A jump in your own suit, a jump raise of partner and a jump in a new suit each show a stronger opening. Know what each promises.
A simple rebid, such as repeating your suit at the cheapest level, shows a minimum opening. When you have more, you say so by jumping a level. There are three kinds of jump, and each tells partner something different.
These are standard Acol meanings after a one-level response. Point ranges are a guide: count good long suits and shape too.
1. Jump in your own suit: a good six-card suit and 16-18
♠ 7 4 ♥ A K J 9 6 3 ♦ A Q 5 ♣ K 2 (17 HCP)
1♥ – 1♠ – 3♥. You show six good hearts and about 16-18 points. Partner raises to 4♥ with a doubleton heart or a decent hand, and passes with a bare minimum response.
2. Jump raise of partner: four-card support and 16-18
♠ K Q 8 5 ♥ A K 7 6 3 ♦ A 4 ♣ 9 2 (16 HCP)
1♥ – 1♠ – 3♠. You show four spades and a good hand. It invites partner to bid 4♠. With 19 or more and four-card support, bid 4♠ yourself.
3. Jump in a new suit: 19+ and forcing to game
♠ A 5 ♥ A K Q 8 4 ♦ K Q J 6 ♣ 7 3 (19 HCP)
1♥ – 1♠ – 3♦. This jump shift says you have enough for game opposite any response, so partner must keep bidding until game is reached. A simple 2♦ here could be passed, and you might miss a game.
Four common mistakes
Jumping with a minimum just because the suit is long.
Making a simple rebid with 19 points, so partner passes in a part-score.
Jump-raising partner with only three-card support.
Forgetting that a jump shift is forcing, and passing it as responder.
Key takeaways
Simple rebids show a minimum; jumps show extras.
Jump in your suit: six good cards, 16-18. Jump raise: four-card support, 16-18.
Jump in a new suit: 19+, game forcing.