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 Michaels Cue-bids by David Bird

In this bidding quiz, we will take a look at Michaels cue-bids, a popular method to show a two-suited hand after an opponent has opened the bidding.

Over an opening bid of 1 (or 1), an overcall of 2 (or 2) shows both majors, at least 5-5. It does not guarantee a particularly strong hand.

Question 1

  Your Hand
 Q 10 8 7 2
 A K 8 4 3
 8 2
 7
 
Q: 1 - What action will you take after East's opening bid of 1?
SouthWestNorthEast
--Pass1
?


 Your choice:
A: 2. Your hand is perfect for a Michaels cue-bid overcall. On this hand, you would make such a bid whatever the vulnerability.

Your result so far:
Open Question

Question 2

  Your Hand
 A K J 7 6
 A Q J 5 3
 7
 Q 3
 
Q: 2 - Now you are much stronger. What will you bid over the opening bid of 1?
SouthWestNorthEast
---1
?


 Your choice:
A: 2. You are still OK to make a Michaels overcall. You're showing at least 5-5 in the majors and expect partner to respond either 2 or 2. If he does this, you will raise to the three-level in his chosen suit, to invite game.

You should not go to game directly because partner may have very little. He may not even have 3-card support in the suit that he has bid. Remember that you have forced him to say something, whatever his hand is.

Your result so far:
Open Question

Question 3

  Your Hand
 A Q 8 7 2
 K Q 6 5 2
 5
 8 2
 
Q: 3 - Now you are in fourth seat, after two passes. Does this make any difference to your intended action?
SouthWestNorthEast
-1PassPass
?


 Your choice:
A: 2. No difference at all. You still want to show partner your length in both majors.

Your result so far:
Open Question

Question 4

  Your Hand
 J 5
 A Q J 7 6
 4
 K Q J 6 5
 
Q: 4 - Now we must look at Michaels cue-bids when the opponents have opened 1 or 1. In this case, your cue-bid in their suit will show length in the other major and one of the minors.

What will you bid here?
SouthWestNorthEast
---1
?


 Your choice:
A: 2. Your cue-bid of 2 shows hearts and one of the minors. Since you are forcing your partner to go to the three-level, the lower end of the strength for this bid will be higher than when you have cue-bid in a minor.

Your partner can respond 3 to play in that suit, a response which does not promise any values at all. Remember that you have forced him to bid at this level. If, instead, he wants to discover which minor suit you hold, he can ask with 2 NT. Here, you would respond 3.

Your result so far:
Open Question

Question 5

  Your Hand
 7 6
 A K Q 10 7
 9 7 6 5 2
 8
 
Q: 5 - What will you bid over 1 here?
SouthWestNorthEast
-PassPass1
?


 Your choice:
A: 2. You have good reason to want to tell partner about your good hearts. Your hand is not strong enough to force partner to the three-level, though. Rather than bid a Michaels 2, you should prefer a simple overcall of 2.

If you switched the hearts and diamonds, you might consider overcalling 2 on such a weakish hand. With, say, 13 points upwards, you would be able to overcall 2, happy to compete in either red suit, even when your hearts were weak.

Your result so far:
Open Question

Question 6

  Your Hand
 6 5
 A 9 8 2
 A 7 4
 K J 7 2
 
Q: 6 - Now it is your partner who makes a Michaels cue-bid. What will you do?
SouthWestNorthEast
-12Pass
?


 Your choice:
A: 4. You have a great heart fit and enough power to insist on a game contract. So, you bid 4 instead of just 3.

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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