The origin of this conventional method is unknown. Another designation is Fit Showing Jump Bids. This basic principle is used as a feature in several bridge bidding systems. A Flower bid is only employed by a passed hand to denote generally a good 5-card side plus suit containing a source of winners, at least a 4-card support for the suit of the partner, and a maximum of six Losing Tricks and 12 or fewer support points.

An example for the Flower bid is shown in the following illustration. West is the dealer and East/West are vulnerable.

	North 98 10752 8 AKQ85
West Q1075 Q9 A32 J1043		East AJ42 J3 J10765 76
	South K63 AK864 KQ94 9

West		North		East		South		Meaning
Pass		Pass		Pass		1		Fourth Seat opening. May be light, but generally a genuine opening bid.
Pass		3						Partner shows a good 5-card plus Club suit and promises good support for the suit of partner, either 3 or 4 cards. The length is partnership agreement. The values are less than required for an opening bid. The partnership agreement is also that this response guarantees at most 6 Losing Tricks.
				Pass		4		Based on the additional values and the number of losing ricks shown by partner, the opening bidder bids a game contract.

Additional Clarification Follows

A jump to show both length in the suit bid plus support for the suit of the partner and working values in both bid suits. This method is used by the partner, whose partner in third or fourth seat has opened the auction. A jump shift response signifies 9-11 support points and less than a standard opening point count, at least nine cards in the two suits bid, and most of the values concentrated in those two suits. The following example may assist in clarifying this concept:

North		East		South		West
Pass		Pass		1		Pass
2

The partnership agreement stipulates, when employing fit-showing jumps, that the 2 Spades bid by a passed hand shows and promises the following:

1.	A maximum pass with 9-11 points.
2.	At least nine cards, either 4-5 or 5-4, in the two suits bid, in this example Clubs and Spades.
3.	That most all of the points are located and concentrated in these two bid suits.

Example holding:

	AQJ65
	74
	83
	K1097

There is no consensus presently in determining the factor whether or not a fit-showing jump is forcing to game or for one round and is therefore a decision of the partnership. When the opening is in a Minor suit and the fit-showing jump is in a Major suit, it is deemed preferable for the partner to pass with a minimum opening or less in third Seat, especially since the fit-showing bidder is already a passed hand.

The following example shows a classic fit showing jump after an opening in third seat of a Major suit. The auction proceeds:

North		East		South		West
Pass		Pass		1		Pass
2
AK965 QJ865 74 3

The 2 Spades bid fulfills all requirements of a fit-showing Jjump. However, partnership agreements generally include the information that a third seat opening may be weak in points. This is the reason why many partnerships employ the concept of Drury after discovering an immediate fit to determine the strength of a third seat opening.

Also, in the above example, had the opening occurred in first or second seat, then a splinter bid of 4 Clubs could be employed, but with a third seat opening this action would be deemed risky if the partner opened with less than a standard minimum. After a fit-showing jump it generally becomes the decision of the third seat opener to determine any continuance. Since this particular action may cause confusion in different and particularly specific auctions, a solid partnership agreement is required.

 

 

If you wish to include this feature, or any other feature, of the game of bridge in your partnership agreement, then please make certain that the concept is understood by both partners. Be aware whether or not the feature is alertable or not and whether an announcement should or must be made. Check with the governing body and/or the bridge district and/or the bridge unit prior to the game to establish the guidelines applied. Please include the particular feature on your convention card in order that your opponents are also aware of this feature during the bidding process, since this information must be made known to them according to the Laws of Duplicate Contract Bridge. We do not always include the procedure regarding Alerts and/or Announcements, since these regulations are changed and revised during time by the governing body. It is our intention only to present the information as concisely and as accurately as possible.