Western Cue Bid
Who's Got It? This bid is also known as "Who's Got the Stopper ?"
Situation: in a competitive auction, all you need is a stopper in opponent's suit to bid 3NT. But, who's going to do it ? The Western Cue is a cue bid of the opponent's suit, asking partner for a stopper. Holding one, he bids 3 No Trump. Lacking one, he bails out to the partnership's suit.
© Dbl P 3©N E S W
2
The Western Cue. West says "Bid 3NT if you have a Heart stopper.
P 3NT . . . East has one, fortunately for West.
1
© Dbl 2© 2ªP 3
© . . . "West, bid 3NT with a Heart stopper.
Usage: fairly common. Not alertable as opponent's are presumed to recognize calls in their own suits.
Strength: situational, as it asks partner to bid 3NT with a stopper in the opponent's suit. The hand should belong to the side of the partner using the WQ, often with a long, running minor for No Trump.
Eastern Q: a variation presumably used in the Eastern US, in which the cue bid shows a stopper, rather than denies one.© Dbl P 3©N E S W
2
West has a Heart stopper, so East can bid 3NT if he wants to.
We feel the Western Q works to our advantage because the lead then comes up to the hand with the stopper rather than through it.