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Jacks in the trump suit

#1 User is offline   pilun 

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Posted 2026-July-23, 23:22

Our simple DCB counts QPs (3/2/1) then basic DCB (stop = 0 or 4+QP) So stop with AK/AQ/AKQ.
Jacks can appear on the second pass. That often comes too late, certainly if we are playing in a minor.
The other thing we do is 4 non-step to look for "good" trumps.

Jacks matter a lot in an 8-card fit, not so much in a 9-card fit.
Qxxx --- Kxxxx is a shade over 50%, so okay. We live with that, while realising jack or 10 would make a lot of difference.

Q432 --- K765 no pips is 14%

QT32 --- K765 is 45%

QJ32 --- K765 is 71%

2nd pass picks up the jack for us.
Skipping says KQxx, KJxx, or QJxx (NOT AJxx since partner often needs to split A from KQ)
This works after a fashion with majors, though you will play 5M or even 5NT with shaky trumps.

Our other method is 4D Slam Try either (1) after strength known or (2) straight after shape is known.

With (1) it says "Bid bad potential trumps suits upwards. My next bid will be a natural slam try, requiring good trumps."
Good trumps means Qxx for shortish suits, QJxx for 4+ suits. This picks up
AQJxxx --- K
AKxxx --- Qxx
Kxxx --- QJxx
Often asker thinks "I need Qxx for starters" so we might see 4 - 4 - pass.
After 4 - 4 - 4, describer with HHxx bids on. Then you can split AQxx from QJxx.
Likewise 4 - 4 - 4NT = "Hearts are trumps. How good are your "good" hearts?"
You don't have these extra asks in minors, unless you assign a meaning for 4 - 4NT.

With (2) partner's shape may have come out too high to risk a simple strength ask. (3 = 6-4-3-0 say)
Now 4 says "Bid 4 with a minimum, or a MAX with bad hearts." MAX is loosely defined.

With a minor as trumps, you might decide that QJxx is not good enough to proceed



East showed 0-7, then 5-7 bal, no Major, then 5s
3 said "Forget final shape. How strong?" 3 showed a minimum. (2-3 SPs)
Then 5 said bid slam with good trumps.

Good that West had the jack. KQ is good, Axxxx is not enough.
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#2 User is offline   foobar 

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Posted Yesterday, 08:10

Looks like after a strength ask, 4D is a replacement for the classic terminator puppet? For the immediate natural ST after shape resolution, KK-relay uses a jump to game (and goes via 4D as the signoff).
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#3 User is offline   pilun 

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Posted Yesterday, 15:50

View Postfoobar, on 2026-July-25, 08:10, said:

Looks like after a strength ask, 4D is a replacement for the classic terminator puppet? For the immediate natural ST after shape resolution, KK-relay uses a jump to game (and goes via 4D as the signoff).


I always felt uneasy playing the old Polish End Signal.

Say your structure includes
1 - 3 = 3-2-2-6 or 2-2-2-7
1 - 3 = 3-3-1-6

Playing the Polish way

1 - 3 - 4 = to play, minimum
1 - 3 - 4 = slam try (In Polish style it would be RKC in describer's longest suit)

Seems accident-prone.
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#4 User is offline   foobar 

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Posted Yesterday, 19:39

 pilun, on 2026-July-25, 15:50, said:

I always felt uneasy playing the old Polish End Signal.

Say your structure includes
1 - 3 = 3-2-2-6 or 2-2-2-7
1 - 3 = 3-3-1-6

Playing the Polish way

1 - 3 - 4 = to play, minimum
1 - 3 - 4 = slam try (In Polish style it would be RKC in describer's longest suit)

Seems accident-prone.

In your case, what do jumps before shape resolution show? Also, after shape resolution, you have QP ask and control asks as step 1 and 2, right? How does the scheme work if shape is resolved at 3S+?
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#5 User is offline   pilun 

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Posted Yesterday, 21:18

View Postfoobar, on 2026-July-25, 19:39, said:

In your case, what do jumps before shape resolution show? Also, after shape resolution, you have QP ask and control asks as step 1 and 2, right? How does the scheme work if shape is resolved at 3S+?


4 is the highest kontrol ask and the highest shape-showing bid.

3 - 3 = 4-6-0-3 say
4 = SPs
4 = mild slam try
4+ = to play, exc
4NT = RKC in responder's long suit.

3 - 4 = 7-4-0-2 say (non-resurrect)
4 = SPs
4+ as above

If 2 shapes left, Step+1 = SP-ask. (Also if 5m332)
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