This page is no longer updated. For questions or problems regarding older versions please consult the Helpdesk page.
TIP: [Ctrl]+[f] will open the Search window in most Windows programs. Use this search function if you don't want to read the entire document or webpage.
On this page we answer questions about how to operate Jack 1/2/3/4/5 and the possibilities of
the user interface.
For questions concerning the current version, Jack 6, you should consult FAQ Jack 6.
Questions may lead to changes in newer versions, that is why some questions have multiple answers.
[1.x] refers to version 1.00/1.01/1.03
[2.x] refers to version 2.0/2.01/2.02/2.03/2.04
[3.x] refers to version 3.0/3.01
[4.x] refers to version 4.0/4.01
[5.x] refers to version 5.0/5.01/5.02
[6.x] refers to version 6.0/6.10/6.11
u.4. How can I compose (and save) my own convention card?
[1.x], [2.x], [3.x] Start by selecting the convention card environment. Now select a predefined convention card
that best matches your requirements to be the base convention card for NS. Choose 'Create'
and enter a new name for your convention card. You will subsequently walk through all the
convention card screens, where you can change anything you like. In the final step the
new convention card will be saved. You can now select the new convention card for both NS and EW.
TIP: With Jack it is possible to experiment with small deviations on existing convention cards within one session. Instead of 'Create' select 'Adjust'. Now when you exit Jack the default values for the existing convention card will be restored.
TIP: With Jack 4 or 5 it is no longer possible to experiment with small deviations on existing convention cards within one session (see above). To achieve this you could create a new convention card and add something like 'temp' to its name.
u.5. I want to remove certain users. Is this possible?
[1.x], [2.x], [3.x] No, this is not possible.
[4.x], [5.x], [6.x] Yes, go to [Settings\Username].
u.6. Is it possible to replay a deal?
Select [Actions\Replay deal].
u.7. When replaying a deal in a tournament the results are not kept. Bug?
No, when playing in the tournament environment only the very first results will be saved.
To be able to also store new results you should remove the existing results first; in the
tournament environment: [File\Tournaments] select [File\Delete results].
u.8. Can a random deal be played again in another session?
Every deal has a unique number. You can replay a range of random deals, for example using
different thinking time settings for Jack or using different convention cards. Another method
for replaying deals is to store them separately, to be played again later on.
u.9. How can I remove convention cards I created?
[1.x], [2.x], [3.x] Use your systems explorer to navigate to the C:\Program Files\Jack\System folder.
Here you can delete the file that has the name of your convention card.
[4.x], [5.x], [6.x] Enter the convention card environment and select the convention card.
Now use the 'Delete' button.
u.10. How do I print the complete internal manual?
[1.x], [2.x], [3.x], [4.x] As far as we know there is now utility available to print the used HTMHELP files in its entirety.
[5.x], [6.x] The manual is available as a pdf and can be printed.
u.11. Does Jack play in a network?
Yes, Jack can play both on a LAN or on the internet.
u.12. Where can I find the vulnerability?
Vulnerability is indicated by the highlighted direction indicators (i.e. colored red)
both in the auction and on the table. Red means vulnerable. You can also change the settings to
have vulnerability stand out even more.
u.13. Is it possible for me to obtain the Dutch playing cards on the screen?
[1.x], [2.x], [3.x], [4.x] Standard Dutch playing cards are on
the CD and, with the aces featuring some historical
Dutch buildings, it might be fun to have a look at them.
First you will need to install the Dutch version.
Put the Jack CD in the CD-rom drive and,
manually, start the installation program.
One way of doing this is by using the explorer to
view the contents of the CD and double-clicking install.exe.
Now only install the 'Dutch language files'.
When finished you can use [Settings\Table] to select the
Dutch playing cards.
[5.x], [6.x] Standard Dutch playing cards are on the CD but can also be obtained
using [Help\Search for updates].
In the Dutch playing cards collection the aces feature some historical
Dutch buildings, it might be fun to have a look at them.
After installation you can use [Settings\Table] to select the
Dutch playing cards.
u.14. Network play over the internet does not work. Why not?
Possible causes are:
1. The Server computer has a firewall. The Server computer must allow the Client computer access
for Jack to be able to establish the connection. How to do this depends on the firewall software.
2. Jack says that he cannot establish a connection. Normally this indicates that the Client
computer can not find the Server computer because the internet connection is not there.
To check whether this is the case you can use the PING command. On the Client computer, open a DOS window
and enter:
PING <ip-address>
(substituting <ip-address> with the ip-address of the server)
if the number of packages received is 0 than you have a network problem which is unrelated to Jack.
u.15. During tournament play I cannot find the contracts played by the other pairs. Where are they?
In some Jack tournaments only a frequency chart is available and not the contracts played by the other pairs.
The reason is simple: the organisation of those tournaments did not enter the contracts played
and we did not get that data.
u.16. Why is there no tooltip help when I position the mouse over the large buttons?
[1.x], [2.x], [3.x] The explanation for the buttons is described in the online help and the user manual.
The default toolbar buttons, the programmers have at their disposal, have the tooltip
feature but unfortunately they don't offer all the functionality we require for our buttons.
That is why another technical solution was chosen for the buttons, one that for now doesn't offer tooltips.
[4.x], [5.x], [6.x] Starting with version 4 tooltip help is added to the buttons.
u.17. When will a new version be released? Should I wait for it?
It is not necessary to wait for a new version to be released. Jack is still
ahead both in playing strength and user possibilities but yet is also still
constantly being improved.
Registrer your purchase, if shortly after your
purchase a new version is released you will receive a suitable offer for
an update.
The Jack team does not release a new major version every year. In between major versions we sometimes have so much to offer a new minor version is released (a new number behind the decimal point, for example 6.11 for version 6). If you are in possession of its major version you can download and install the minor version for free. From within Jack 6 you can use [Help\Search for updates], to contact the JackBridge website and install the updates.
Several new components and improvements were offered this way since the first release of Jack 6. This is an ongoing process enabling you to always have the most recent Jack 6 at your disposal.
i.2. Does Jack run on Windows 7, Windows 8, 2000, 2003, XP and Vista?
Yes. For Windows 11 or its predecessor Windows 10 see the bottom of this page.
i.3. Will Jack run on a Mac?
No.
i.4. Will Jack run on a Mac using a Windows emulator?
[1.x], [2.x], [3.x], [4.x] No.
[5.x], [6.x] Yes, but we do not support this.
Successes were reported using a.o. Parallels.
You should try our demo first.
i.5. After uninstalling Jack on Vista some files remain. How to reinstall Jack?
[1.x], [2.x], [3.x], [4.x] Jack runs fine on Windows Vista.
However the changed filemanagement system in Vista
causes the Uninstall program to partly fail.
The uninstall Jack page outlines how to proceed.
[5.x], [6.x] N/A
i.6. Does Jack install on a pc or netbook without a cd-drive?
[1.x], [2.x], [3.x], [4.x] No.
[5.x], [6.x] Yes, you don't need the cd on the computer where you want to run Jack.
You can install Jack using your own local network or by using a copy
on another device such as a USB stick.
i.7. Online activation fails, what should I do now?
[1.x], [2.x], [3.x], [4.x] N/A.
[5.x], [6.x] If online activation fails on a computer that is connected to the
internet there are two possible causes:
If online activation keeps failing you should select manual activation. On screen an identification code, consisting of 16 strings of 4 characters, is displayed. Submit this identification code together with your registration code to us and you will receive the autorisationcode.
i.8. The "update code" box on my booklet is empty, can you get me an update code?
[1.x], [2.x], [3.x] N/A.
[4.x] You own a full version and don't need an update code, the box is intentionally left blank.
[5.x], [6.x] You don't need an update code, the box is intentionally left blank.
If you bought Jack as an update, you can use the empty box to note
your previous version registration code.
Both when installing Jack 5 or the update from 4 to 5 the program will
prompt you for your registration code. Here you should enter your new
Jack 5 code. If your version is not the full version but the update from
Jack 4 to 5 the program will subsequently prompt you to enter your Jack 4 code.
e.2. I'm getting a "Not a valid Win32 application" message when running the demo, bonus or update. How to proceed?
[1.x], [2.x], [3.x], [4.x] The demo, bonus and update itself are valid Win32 applications. The message
indicates something went wrong while downloading, causing the file to be downloaded
incomplete or damaged (this often shows in the filesize of the file).
You can re-download the file and try again. The best chance for success is
when you remove the temporary internet files from your computer first (in
Internet Explorer, select Tools than go to Internet Options).
If you don't succeed in downloading the complete file, please contact us. See
bottom of this page for our e-mail link.
[5.x], [6.x] N/A.
e.3. I'm getting a "Outdated Systemcard" message. How to proceed?
[3.x], [4.x] This message is described on the Jack 3 Service Page.
[1.x], [2.x], [5.x], [6.x] N/A.
e.4. I'm getting a "Jack has a serious problem, please contact your supplier" message. As requested.
[1.x], [2.x], [3.x], [4.x] There can be a lot of different causes.
For example: if Jack or parts of Jack are moved, removed or renamed Jack will
encounter problems. In those cases removing and re-installing Jack will suffice.
[5.x], [6.x] N/A.
e.5. My windows system informs me the cd is either damaged or incompatible. How is this possible?
[1.x], [2.x], [3.x], [4.x] This message can have any of the following causes:
1. dirty cd: usually this error message is caused by a dirty cd with fingerprints or dust on the information surface. You can clean the cd by very lightly wiping the information side with a dry, soft cloth (such as a t-shirt, tea-towel or reading glasses cleaning cloth).
Always take good care of the cd and try to avoid touching the silvery shiny information surface.
2. defective cd-rom player: you can verify this by running another cd
3. not compatible: there are no known compatibility problems, but new configurations may create new problems. You can verify this by running the cd on another computer.
4. damaged: if your cd is really damaged please contact your vendor for a replacement.
e.6. Jack asks for the cd but then doesn't regocnise it. How is this possible?
See the explanation for point e.5. above.
When encountering problems/questions please: