Jack 6.1
by Hans Kuif, Wim Heemskerk, Martin Pattenier and Barry Westra
Jack the programmers are working on a new version of Jack. No information are available on released date.
Jack has not participated in WCBC since 2015 due to a disagreement over Synrey Bridge's participation. They believe Synrey bridge should not be allowed to participate because as it is based on Micro Bridge source code, which has been sold to Synrey Bridge. This is not according to the rules for the contest. Let's hope the conflict is resolved in some ways, so that Jack can participate again!
Jack was written by Hans Kuijf from the Netherlands. He started programming Jack in 2000 with one goal in mind: to create the best computer bridge program in the world, both in bidding/play and in features. The bridge skills of World Champion Berry Westra and Dutch top-player Wim Heemskerk resulted in a program that took the top from the start, yet it is still continuously being improved.
Jack has participated in World Computer Bridge Championship, where it reached the semifinals at its debut in 2000 (3rd). After another hard years work Jack won the title in 2001 and successfully defended it until 2005 (World Champion in 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004). After 4 years of domination Jack's reign was broken by WBridge5 from France in the final of 2005 (2nd). Jack recaptured the title in 2006. In 2008 Jack won the Round Robin far ahead of the field but lost the final with a small margin to WBRidge5, it was Jack who reclaimed the title in a direct match against WBridge5 2009 and succesfully defending it again in 2010, 2012, 2013 and 2015.
Jack is a commercial program.
Jack is only available on Windows. Demo for download.
Jack and extra tournaments are also available at Svenska Bridgeförlaget.
It is not available for Mac, but can be run with a suitable Windows emulator.
Jack supports 21 systems, among those are SAYC, 2/1, 5 Card Major, British and Dutch ACOL and Polish Club. The conventions used are connected to type of selected system.
Main Features
> Playing strength can be set to 15 different Levels
> Bidding aggressivnes and Speed of bidding, lead and play is configurable
> Play random deals
> Play included tournaments. More can be added.
> Let Professor Jack analyze your bidding and play and give advice.
Jack is probably the strongest and best of the commercial programs available today.
Irish player Eamon Galligan plays against Jack: