This paper investigates the problem of sliding mode controller design based on output feedback for discrete-time Markov jump systems. Considering the typical asynchronous phenomenon for jump systems, here we adopt the Hidden Markov Model (HMM) to quantify the asynchronous degree. Based on this, a static output feedback sliding surface is constructed. Sufficient conditions in terms of bilinear matrix inequalities are proposed ensuring the sliding motion dynamic to be stochastically stable and its H ∞ performance for the considered discrete time Markov jump systems. Moreover, the reachability of the sliding mode surface is ensured by a predesigned control law. The whole design scheme is presented by using an iterative algorithm. Finally, simulation results are presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the design methodology.INDEX TERMS Sliding mode control, HMM, output feedback, iterative algorithm.