The Michaels Cue Bid

Mike Michaels gave his name to a cue bid built for two-suited hands, which are hard to show in competition. If you overcall in one suit and plan to bid the other later, the opponents may have raised to the three level before you get a second chance, and partner never learns about your second suit. The Michaels cue bid in bridge shows both suits with one call. Partner can judge the fit, the level and the chance of a sacrifice at once.

A direct cue bid of the opponent's opening suit has no natural use, so it becomes the two-suit signal. The convention, often written Michaels cuebid, is played in almost every partnership. It shows at least five cards in each of two suits:

Over a minor the two suits are known. Over a major, the cue bid shows the other major plus an unspecified minor. Advancer can ask for the minor with 2NT when it matters.

The shape requirement is firm. You need five-five or longer, and a five-four hand should overcall in the five-card suit or make a takeout double. Strength is more flexible. Most partnerships play Michaels as two-tiered, either weak or strong, but rarely in between.

• Weak: roughly 6 to 11 points, the honors in the two long suits. The aim is to compete or find a sacrifice. Non-vulnerable you can be at the low end, but vulnerable you need good suits.
• Strong: roughly 16 points or more. Michaels first, then bid again over partner's simple preference to show the extra strength.
• In between: with about 12 to 15 points, many players prefer to overcall the higher suit and bid the other one later, since those hands can afford to wait.

The cue bid applies in the direct seat. In the balancing seat many pairs play it the same way, while some use it for other two-suiters. Agree which.

Advancer's bids are mostly obedient, picking a suit at the right level. Over a minor-suit cue bid, the choices look like this:

1. 1.Simple preference shows no extras. If your lengths are equal, choose the cheaper suit so that partner can correct, or the higher one when you would rather play there.
2. 2.Jumps are preemptive, not invitational. Holding four-card support and a weak hand, raise to the three level to take space from the opponents.
3. 3.Game bids are to play. A fit with shape or a good hand can bid game directly.
4. 4.The cue bid of opener's suit is the only bid that shows strength. It asks the Michaels bidder to describe further, for example whether the hand is weak or strong.

Deal two-suited hands like North's in the simulator to see how often a 5-5 hand opposite four-card support produces a game, or play this one out in the double dummy solver.

• Using Michaels with five-four. Partner will play you for five cards in each suit and may sacrifice on that basis.
• Bidding it with an intermediate hand. A 13-count five-five is better shown by overcalling and bidding again, unless your partnership plays Michaels at any strength.
• Advancer passing the cue bid. The cue bid is artificial and must be answered, even with nothing.
• Treating advancer's jump as invitational. A jump by advancer is preemptive. To invite, cue bid opener's suit.

Related two-suited bids

Michaels pairs naturally with the unusual 2NT, and together they cover most five-five two-suiters over a one-level opening. Over a weak two, a different tool called leaping Michaels uses jumps to 4♣ and 4♦ to show a strong minor-major two-suiter. Against a 1NT opening, Michaels does not apply. Use a two-suited defense such as Cappelletti instead. Some players over a 1♣ opening that may be short keep 2♣ natural, but most still play it as Michaels. When the opponents use Michaels against you, the opening side gains two cue bids, the agreement often called unusual over unusual.

What does a Michaels cue bid show?

At least five-five in two suits. Over a minor opening it shows both majors, and over a major opening it shows the other major and an unspecified minor.

What is an example of a Michaels cue bid?

West opens 1♦ and North bids 2♦ holding KQ974 of spades, AJ863 of hearts, a singleton diamond and two small clubs. That is 10 points and five-five in the majors, a typical weak Michaels. South holds four hearts with the ♠A and jumps straight to 4♥. The example deal above shows both hands.

How many points do you need for Michaels?

Most partnerships play it as weak, roughly 6 to 11 points, or strong, about 16 or more. Intermediate hands usually overcall and bid again.

How does partner find out the minor after a Michaels cue bid over a major?

Advancer bids 2NT, which asks the Michaels bidder to bid 3♣ or 3♦. It shows interest in the minor, usually invitational values or better.

Is a jump by advancer after Michaels invitational?

No, it is preemptive. To show a good hand, advancer cue bids opener's suit.

What is the difference between Michaels and the unusual 2NT?

Michaels is a cue bid of the opener's suit and shows both majors, or the other major and a minor. The unusual 2NT is a jump to 2NT and shows the two lowest unbid suits, usually both minors.