5♣ J♣ J♦ Q♦ + 2♦ cut = 9 points

What the 2 of diamonds contributes

Holding 5 of clubs, jack of clubs, jack of diamonds, queen of diamonds with the 2 of diamonds as the cut scores 9 points in the hand.

Scoring combinations involving the 2 of diamonds contribute 1 points. The remaining 8 points come from combinations entirely within the four held cards.

• his nob: jack of diamonds, 2 of diamonds — 1 point.

Other available cuts of this rank: 2 of clubs (9 points); 2 of hearts (8 points); 2 of spades (8 points). The cut suit changes the score here because of a flush or nobs.

How this cut compares

For these four held cards, 16 possible cuts score less than 9, 16 score the same (including the 2 of diamonds), and 16 score more.

Across all 48 possible cut cards, the score ranges from 8 to 17 points, averaging 10.79 points. This comparison treats every card outside the four-card hand as equally likely; it does not exclude known discards or other seen cards.