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 "Before You Go..." Michaels Cuebids by Marti Ronemus

For those of you planning your vacation to that "clothing optional" resort, we want to be sure you are properly prepared. According to Carolyn Hawkins, Public Relations Director for the American Association of Nudist Resorts, there are many etiquette "rules" you need to know, such as: Shoes are encouraged. Carrying a towel to sit on is required. And be prepared to cover the camera on your phone with a "red dot." (Clothing Optional certainly makes packing easier, doesn't it?) There's a lot more to know, but this will get you started.

Now that you're prepared for your trip, let's prepare you to bid those two-suited hands. This week we'll tackle Michaels Cuebid and responses, and next week, the Unusual No-trump.

This is not going to be the final, definitive lesson on Michaels, but rather a review. We use Michaels for hands with 5-5 distribution. Not 5-4. Not 6-5. 5-5. Got that? Point count... we're going to go with the most common, which is Mini-Maxi. With a less-than-opening hand, or a FAT intermediate, we use Michaels. What if you've got 12-ish to 15/16-ish? Bid normally.

1-2 shows 5-5 in the majors. Ditto 1-2. 1-2, five Spades and five of an unnamed minor. 1-2, five Hearts and five of an unnamed minor. We'll tackle responses to Michaels Friday.

So, put your shoes on and let's go.


Question 1

  Your Hand
 Q 10 9 5 4
 K J 8 7 6
 3
 3 2
 
Q: 1 - South: What should you overcall, if anything?
SouthWestNorthEast
---1
?


 Your choice:
A: 2: What? We only have 6 pts? Please. This hand was MADE for Michaels! With a fit in Pard's hand, we own the table. If our partnership doesn't get to name a major suit as trump, our hand is absolutely useless. Live a little!

Your result so far:
Open Question

Question 2

  Your Hand
 3 2
 K Q J 8 7
 A Q J 9 5
 A
 
Q: 2 - South: What should you overcall, if anything?
SouthWestNorthEast
---1
?


 Your choice:
A: 2: Yes, we're shoving Pard to the 3-level, but we've got the hand to do it with. We've got shape, we've got points. Yum.

Your result so far:
Open Question

Question 3

  Your Hand
 A Q J 10 9
 K Q J 8 7
 3
 A 2
 
Q: 3 - South: What should you overcall, if anything?
SouthWestNorthEast
---1
?


 Your choice:
A: 2: This is a lot like hand 1 in shape, isn't it? The point count is huge, though. How will Pard know the difference? Tune in Friday. Meantime, just sit quietly on your towel and bid Michaels.

Your result so far:
Open Question

Question 4

  Your Hand
 Q J 10 9 7
 K Q 10 8 7
 3
 A 2
 
Q: 4 - South: What should you overcall, if anything?
SouthWestNorthEast
---1
?


 Your choice:
A: 1: We've got the Michaels shape, but neither the Mini hand, nor the Maxi. Does it matter? Some say no and will bid Michaels anyway, but we suggest you overcall 1 and then on your next bid, show your Hearts. If you reserve Michaels for the tiny hand or the giant, Pard will be able to get a much better handle on just what your overcall shows.

Your result so far:
Open Question

Question 5

  Your Hand
 A Q J 10 9
 K 10 9 8
 3
 9 8 2
 
Q: 5 - South: What should you overcall, if anything?
SouthWestNorthEast
---1
?


 Your choice:
A: 1: Do not even THINK of using Michaels!! You don't have 5-5 shape. What if Pard were holding the AJ, and supported you with that doubleton? How do you LIKE playing with 4-2 trump fits? You will definitely find yourself dressed "clothing optional," -- at your mother-in-law's birthday party.

And now, how about a Michaels hand?

Your result so far:
Open Question

Play this Hand

Now that you've bid five hands, let's see how your play goes.

Overall Results

Your results:   out of    Average: 

What next? You may enjoy playing our prepared hands series.
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