What to do With Two 5-Card Suits? Often a hand will have two suits of 5 cards but with modest HCP values. You know how strong such hands can be, especially with a fit by partner, but how can you get into the bidding when opponents open or when you have less than opening values? What should you bid with these hands?
N E
1ª ???
A |
B |
C |
ª x |
ª x |
ª xx |
© KQJxx |
© KQJxx |
© x |
¨ KQJxx |
¨ xx |
¨ KQJxx |
§ xx |
§ QJTxx |
§ QJTxx |
In A, we'd like to show Hearts and Diamonds, in B, Heart and Clubs and in C, Diamonds and Clubs. (We could use the Unusual Notrump in C, but not in A or B.)
Our system uses two similar conventional bids to show combinations of two five card suited hands like these - the Michaels Cue Bid and the Unusual Notrump. Many duplicate players use these conventions.
Distribution and Values. Both Michaels and the Unusual Notrump show two five card suits and a hand of 8 to 14 HCP concentrated in the two suits. The Michaels or Unusual Notrump bidder will not bid again unless forced, as these are limit bids.
Between Michaels and the Unusual Notrump, we have ways to compete with almost any combination of two-suited hands. They complement our bids to compete with one-suited hands via regular overcalls, weak jump overcalls or preemptive overcalls.
Rarely, they can be bid with 5 - 4 distribution, provided the 4 is of good strength. "Rarely" means rarely; not often, as you then have made up your own convention.
Note: You are not allowed to make up your own conventions. They must be commonly known and approved by the ACBL.