Michaels cuebid
Encyclopedia
The Michaels cuebid is a conventional
bid used in the card game contract bridge
. First devised by Mike Michaels of Miami Beach, it is an overcaller's cuebid in opponent's opening suit and is normally used to show a two-suited hand with at least five cards in each suit
and eight or more points.
After the opponents have opened at the one-level, the overcaller bids the same suit at the two-level; the two normal cases are:
Partnerships who have incorporated Michaels cuebid amongst their agreements, usually also play the unusual notrump
convention.
One easy method of specifying point count is:
and Super Michaels.
A frequently used modification among tournament players is "mini-maxi" Michaels, where it is used on weak hands (e.g. 10 or less HCP's) or strong hands (e.g. 16+ HCP's) but intermediate hands are bid naturally. This is stated to increase bidding accuracy but reduces the number of constructive hands where Michaels can be used. Weak hands can then use Michaels with the intention of a possible sacrifice
.
In the Netherlands, a particular modification is growing in popularity: over opponent's opening a cuebid shows a major and a minor unbid suit. The 2NT overcall is then used to show both majors (after a minor suit opening) or both minors (after a major suit opening). This approach allows all three two suiter
s in the three unbid suits to be indicated. Disadvantage compared to standard Michaels is that after an opposing minor suit opening one can not introduce a two suiter
in the majors at two-level. Also, the cuebid invariably leaves one of both suits unspecified.
A variant often referred to as upper cuebid is popular in Germany. In this treatment a cuebid shows the highest unbid suit and another unspecified suit. Together with the unusual notrump
convention to indicate the lowest of the two unbid suits, this approach allows all two suiter
s in the three unbid suits to be indicated. Disadvantage compared to Michaels is that after an opposing minor suit opening one can not in one single bid describe a two suiter
in the majors
.
Also, Michaels cuebid variants exist that remove any ambiguity on what is the second suit. An example is the hi-hi cuebid that over opponent's opening invariably shows the highest unbid suits. Together with the unusual notrump
convention to indicate the lowest of the two unbid suits, this hi-hi cuebid allows two out of the three possible two suiter
s in the unbid suits to be specified in one single bid. A drawback of this method is that the hi-hi cuebid does not cater for two-suiters in the highest and lowest unbid suits.
convention. This defense assigns conventional meanings to a double and to cuebids of the suits shown by the two-suited overcall.
Comparison to Ghestem
Ghestem is more precise in terms of uniquely defining the specific suits denoted. Another drawback compared to Ghestem is that following an opposing minor suit opening, the Michaels cuebid used in combination with the unusual notrump convention does not cater for a two-suiter in spades and the other minor. Hands like these can only be indicated by overcalling 1 and, if possible, later introducing the minor suit.
Bridge convention
A bridge convention is a system of calls made during the auction phase of a contract bridge game which conveys a coded meaning about the players' card holdings...
bid used in the card game contract bridge
Contract bridge
Contract bridge, usually known simply as bridge, is a trick-taking card game using a standard deck of 52 playing cards played by four players in two competing partnerships with partners sitting opposite each other around a small table...
. First devised by Mike Michaels of Miami Beach, it is an overcaller's cuebid in opponent's opening suit and is normally used to show a two-suited hand with at least five cards in each suit
Suit (cards)
In playing cards, a suit is one of several categories into which the cards of a deck are divided. Most often, each card bears one of several symbols showing to which suit it belongs; the suit may alternatively or in addition be indicated by the color printed on the card...
and eight or more points.
After the opponents have opened at the one-level, the overcaller bids the same suit at the two-level; the two normal cases are:
- Over an opponent's minor opening, a cuebid shows both majorsMajor suitIn the card game contract bridge, the major suits are spades and hearts . The major suits are of prime importance for tactics and scoring as they outrank the minor suits while bidding and also outscore them...
. For example, 1 – 2 shows hearts and spades. - Over an opponent's major opening, a cuebid shows the other major and a minor suitMinor suitIn contract bridge the minor suits are diamonds and clubs . They are given that name because contracts made in those suits score less than contracts made in the major suits , and they rank lower in bidding. In particular, one can make game with a bid of 4 in a major suit, while a bid of 5 is...
. For example, 1 – 2 shows hearts and either clubs or diamonds. Partner can make a 2NT relay bidRelay bidIn contract bridge, relay is a term for a conventional bid that usually has little or no descriptive meaning but asks partner to describe some feature of his hand. A relay is often the cheapest bid available but need not be. Stayman and Blackwood are common examples of relay bids.The rationale...
to request partner to bid his minor suit.
Partnerships who have incorporated Michaels cuebid amongst their agreements, usually also play the unusual notrump
Unusual notrump
In the card game of bridge, the unusual notrump is a conventional bid showing two lower unbid suits.When the right-hand opponent opens 1 or 1, the immediate overcall of 2 NT shows at least 5-5 in the minor suits and, presumably, a weakish hand...
convention.
Point Count Requirements
Point count requirements vary, but it is commonly agreed that a Michaels cuebid is constructive and should be made on hands that hold the prospect of winning the auction.One easy method of specifying point count is:
- Less than 8, don't use Michaels. Your chances of winning the auction are slim and you give away too much information without increasing your chances for a good score.
- between 8+ and 12 use Michaels
- With hands in the good 13 to 15 point range, then bid the higher suit followed by the lower, do not use Michaels.
- With 16 and up, use Michaels.
Rebids by the Michaels Bidder
- With 12 or less pass or raise. Raise is not invitational , it shows 6/5 or better and is optional and preemptive
- With 16+, bid a new suit inviting game
Modifications
Several modifications and extensions exist, such as the Modified Michaels cuebid, Leaping MichaelsLeaping Michaels
In the game of bridge, Leaping Michaels is a conventional overcall in 4 or 4 made in defense to opposing 2-level or 3-level preemptive openings. Leaping Michaels shows a strong two-suited hand that is less suitable for a takeout double and is game forcing...
and Super Michaels.
A frequently used modification among tournament players is "mini-maxi" Michaels, where it is used on weak hands (e.g. 10 or less HCP's) or strong hands (e.g. 16+ HCP's) but intermediate hands are bid naturally. This is stated to increase bidding accuracy but reduces the number of constructive hands where Michaels can be used. Weak hands can then use Michaels with the intention of a possible sacrifice
Sacrifice (bridge)
A sacrifice is a deliberate bid of a contract in duplicate bridge that is unlikely to make in the hope that the points will be less than the points likely to be gained by the opponents in making their contract...
.
In the Netherlands, a particular modification is growing in popularity: over opponent's opening a cuebid shows a major and a minor unbid suit. The 2NT overcall is then used to show both majors (after a minor suit opening) or both minors (after a major suit opening). This approach allows all three two suiter
Two suiter
In contract bridge, a two suiter is a hand containing cards mostly from two of the four suits. Traditionally a hand is considered a two suiter if it contains at least ten cards in two suits, with the two suits not differing in length by more than one card. Depending on suit quality and partnership...
s in the three unbid suits to be indicated. Disadvantage compared to standard Michaels is that after an opposing minor suit opening one can not introduce a two suiter
Two suiter
In contract bridge, a two suiter is a hand containing cards mostly from two of the four suits. Traditionally a hand is considered a two suiter if it contains at least ten cards in two suits, with the two suits not differing in length by more than one card. Depending on suit quality and partnership...
in the majors at two-level. Also, the cuebid invariably leaves one of both suits unspecified.
A variant often referred to as upper cuebid is popular in Germany. In this treatment a cuebid shows the highest unbid suit and another unspecified suit. Together with the unusual notrump
Unusual notrump
In the card game of bridge, the unusual notrump is a conventional bid showing two lower unbid suits.When the right-hand opponent opens 1 or 1, the immediate overcall of 2 NT shows at least 5-5 in the minor suits and, presumably, a weakish hand...
convention to indicate the lowest of the two unbid suits, this approach allows all two suiter
Two suiter
In contract bridge, a two suiter is a hand containing cards mostly from two of the four suits. Traditionally a hand is considered a two suiter if it contains at least ten cards in two suits, with the two suits not differing in length by more than one card. Depending on suit quality and partnership...
s in the three unbid suits to be indicated. Disadvantage compared to Michaels is that after an opposing minor suit opening one can not in one single bid describe a two suiter
Two suiter
In contract bridge, a two suiter is a hand containing cards mostly from two of the four suits. Traditionally a hand is considered a two suiter if it contains at least ten cards in two suits, with the two suits not differing in length by more than one card. Depending on suit quality and partnership...
in the majors
Major suit
In the card game contract bridge, the major suits are spades and hearts . The major suits are of prime importance for tactics and scoring as they outrank the minor suits while bidding and also outscore them...
.
Also, Michaels cuebid variants exist that remove any ambiguity on what is the second suit. An example is the hi-hi cuebid that over opponent's opening invariably shows the highest unbid suits. Together with the unusual notrump
Unusual notrump
In the card game of bridge, the unusual notrump is a conventional bid showing two lower unbid suits.When the right-hand opponent opens 1 or 1, the immediate overcall of 2 NT shows at least 5-5 in the minor suits and, presumably, a weakish hand...
convention to indicate the lowest of the two unbid suits, this hi-hi cuebid allows two out of the three possible two suiter
Two suiter
In contract bridge, a two suiter is a hand containing cards mostly from two of the four suits. Traditionally a hand is considered a two suiter if it contains at least ten cards in two suits, with the two suits not differing in length by more than one card. Depending on suit quality and partnership...
s in the unbid suits to be specified in one single bid. A drawback of this method is that the hi-hi cuebid does not cater for two-suiters in the highest and lowest unbid suits.
Defense
The opening side may defend against a Michaels cuebid or any other conventional two-suited overcall with the Unusual vs. UnusualUnusual vs. unusual
Unusual vs. Unusual is a competitive bidding convention used in contract bridge by the opening side after a defensive bidder has made an overcall showing two suits...
convention. This defense assigns conventional meanings to a double and to cuebids of the suits shown by the two-suited overcall.