A♦ 2♣ 6♦ 8♦ + 3♣ cut = 5 points

What the 3 of clubs contributes

Holding ace of diamonds, 2 of clubs, 6 of diamonds, 8 of diamonds with the 3 of clubs as the cut scores 5 points in the hand.

Scoring combinations involving the 3 of clubs contribute 3 points. The remaining 2 points come from combinations entirely within the four held cards.

• run of three: ace of diamonds, 2 of clubs, 3 of clubs — 3 points.

Other available cuts of this rank: 3 of diamonds (5 points); 3 of hearts (5 points); 3 of spades (5 points). Changing only the cut suit leaves this score unchanged.

How this cut compares

For these four held cards, 31 possible cuts score less than 5, 4 score the same (including the 3 of clubs), and 13 score more.

Across all 48 possible cut cards, the score ranges from 2 to 9 points, averaging 4.33 points. This comparison treats every card outside the four-card hand as equally likely; it does not exclude known discards or other seen cards.