3♦ 4♦ 5♦ 8♦ + A♣ cut = 9 points

What the ace of clubs contributes

Holding 3 of diamonds, 4 of diamonds, 5 of diamonds, 8 of diamonds with the ace of clubs as the cut scores 9 points in the hand.

The ace of clubs contributes no scoring combinations. The remaining 9 points come from combinations entirely within the four held cards.

Other available cuts of this rank: ace of diamonds (10 points); ace of hearts (9 points); ace of spades (9 points). The cut suit changes the score here because of a flush or nobs.

How this cut compares

For these four held cards, 0 possible cuts score less than 9, 6 score the same (including the ace of clubs), and 42 score more.

Across all 48 possible cut cards, the score ranges from 9 to 18 points, averaging 12.25 points. This comparison treats every card outside the four-card hand as equally likely; it does not exclude known discards or other seen cards.