Direct Cuebid

Direct Cuebid

DIRECT CUEBID

Strong Takeout:     Minor [   ] Major [   ]

Natural: §[ ] ¨[ ]     Artif. Bids [ ]

Two Suits [ ] __________________

Your LHO opens One Heart and you say Two Hearts.

What does your partner think you have? What should the opponents think ?

No Strong Cue Bids Anymore. The use of the very strong direct cue bid - a game force - is extinct. It happens so seldom as to be useless. Instead, direct cue bids usually show two five card suits other than the one bid.

As the opening One Club or One Diamond calls may be short, some play Direct Cue bids as actual bids over Artificial bids, Clubs, Diamonds or both; others use situational calls, as we do.

If you play it as (really) strong, check the Strong Takeout Minor [ ] or Major [ ] box.

Our Card for Direct Cuebids

DIRECT CUEBID

Strong Takeout:     Minor [   ] Major [   ]

Natural: §[ ] ¨[ ]     Artif. Bids [ ]

Two Suits [X] __Min & Max Michael's __

By far the most widely used convention is Michaels, which is used by 90% of duplicate players who bid direct cue bids. Michael's says "Partner, I have the opposite Major and a Minor. If the opener bid a Minor, I have both Majors." With both Minors over a Major, he would bid the Unusual 2 Notrump. (Cue bids are NOT alertable). Indicate which two suits you mean if you don't use Michael's as a direct cue bid. The reason for the "Min & Max" is this -- Michael's is normally bid with 8 to 14 points. You can Double and bid again with much more strength.

However, sometimes we want to show a good opener, 15 or better, with the 5-5 distribution promised by Michael's. In this case we bid a 'Maxi-Michael's', e.g., [1© - 3©* . . . ]. Partner can bid 3ª ; 3NT (to find the Minor); 4ª with a fit of 3 cards or more; 5§ , etc. The Michael's bidder doesn't bid again, so partner can bid games, preempt, etc.