Getting Into the Bidding With Two-Suited Hands
Michaels Cue Bid
The Michaels Cue Bid is a cue-bid overcall of an opening bid, which promises a two-suited hand with 5-5 or better distribution in the promised suits.
Over a 1 minor-suit opening bid (either ♣ or♦), the Michaels Cue promises 5-5 or better in the major suits. The cue bidder’s hand might look like this:
♠ K 10 7 6 3
♥ A J 10 5 3
♦ 3
♣ 9 2
Over a 1 ♥ opening, the Michaels Cue promises 5-5 or better in spades and one of the minor suits. The cue bidder’s hand might look like this:
♠ K 10 7 6 3
♥ 5
♦ K Q 10 9 3
♣ 9 2
Over a 1♠ opening, the Michaels Cue promises, 5-5 or better in hearts and one of the minor suits. The cue bidder’s hand might look like this:
♠ 3
♥ A J 10 5 3
♦ 3
♣ A 10 9 6 2
The responses to a Michaels Cue are as follows.
West North East South
1♣ 2♣ pass ??
• 2 ♦ Shows a 6-card or better diamond suit. No interest in either of the major suits.
• 2 ♥ Sign off.
• 2 ♠ Sign off
• 3 ♥ Preemptive, sign off.
• 3 ♠ Preemptive, sign off
• 3 no trump - strong balanced hand with no interest in a major-suit game.
West North East South
1♦ 2 ♦ pass ??
• 3 ♣ Shows a 6-card or better diamond suit with no interest in a major-suit game.
• 2 ♥ Sign off.
• 2 ♠ Sign off
• 3 ♥ Preemptive, sign off.
• 3 ♠ Preemptive, sign off
• 3 no trump - strong balanced hand with no interest in a major suit game.
West North East South
1♥ 2 ♥ pass ??
• 2 ♠ Non forcing sign off.
• 2 no trump - Forcing asks the overcaller to bid the minor suit, usually but not always intending to sign off in the minor.
• 3 ♠ Preemptive non forcing sign off
• 3 no trump Strong balanced hand with no interest in a major suit game.
West North East South
1♥ 2 ♥ pass ??
• 3 ♥ Sign off.
• 2 no trump - Forcing asks the overcaller to bid the minor suit, usually but not always intending to sign off in the minor.
• 4 ♥ Preemptive non forcing sign off
• 3 no trump - trong balanced hand with no interest in a major suit game.
The Unusual 2 No Trump
• The unusual 2 no trump overcall describes a hand with 5-5 of better distribution in the lower unbid suits.
• Over 1 ♠ or 1 ♥ shows 5-5 in the minors.
• Over 1 ♣ shows 5-5 in hearts and diamonds.
• Over 1 ♦ Shows 5-5 in hearts and clubs.
Responding to an unusual no trump bid
· You know partner’s suit, bid the one you like best.
· With equal length in both of partner’s suits, bid the lower ranking suit.