Michaels cuebid

For other uses, see Michaels (disambiguation).
Main articles: Contract bridge, Bidding system, Bridge convention, and Glossary of contract bridge terms

The Michaels cuebid is a conventional bid[1] used in the card game contract bridge. First devised by Michael Michaels of Miami Beach, FL, it is an overcaller's cuebid in opponent's opening suit and is normally[2] 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:

  1. Over an opponent's minor opening, a cuebid shows both majors. For example, 1♣ – 2♣ shows hearts and spades.
  2. Over an opponent's major opening, a cuebid shows the other major and a minor suit. For example, 1♠ – 2♠ shows hearts and either clubs or diamonds. Partner can make a 2NT relay bid to request partner to bid his minor suit, or a 3♣ pass-or-correct bid.

Partnerships who have incorporated Michaels cuebids amongst their agreements usually also play the unusual notrump convention.

  1. ^ BridgeGuys.com description of the Michaels Cuebid
  2. ^ Some partnerships use it as a weak three-suited takeout bid. See Kearse, Amayla (1990). Bridge Conventions Complete. Devyn Press, Inc. (Louisville, Kentucky). p. 421. ISBN 0-910791-76-7.